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Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Philosophy/religion

Anyone got any ideas for a reading for DH to read at his grandad's funeral???

17 replies

sparklemagic · 20/06/2006 22:30

Wondered if anyone has any ideas; DH has been asked to give a reading at his grandad's funeral next week, and can choose the reading himself. However he is at a loss as he doesn't really feel a burning need to say anything iykwim - he didn't have a close relationship at all with his grandad and saw him on duty visits only!

Obviously he has said yes more to please the parents than anything else!

Anyone know something he could get away with? btw, his grandad was in his nineties so was in no way cheated of life nor was it unexpected!!

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sparklemagic · 21/06/2006 10:54

bumping this as DH still clueless re readings!!

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moondog · 21/06/2006 10:55

Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will feel no evil......

Psalm.....21 is it??????

sparklemagic · 21/06/2006 11:02

thanks moondog.....will have to dig out DH's childhood bible! [heathen un-christian emoticon]

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moondog · 21/06/2006 11:04

Or the other one..

Consider the lillies.....

fairyjay · 21/06/2006 11:04

What about a poem?

moondog · 21/06/2006 11:05

Don't fgs go all New Age and get some guff from Deepak Chopra or summat.
The old man would spin in his grave!!

sparklemagic · 21/06/2006 11:06

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nailpolish · 21/06/2006 11:11

the W H Auden poem from 4 weddings is lovely, but i dont know if right for a grandfather?

here, the top one

sparklemagic · 21/06/2006 11:17

I know that one Nailpolish and it is absolutely brilliant, isn't it - but yes I think it's a little much for this situation....thanks though

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Bozza · 21/06/2006 11:18

It is the 23rd psalm that moondog is on about.

Roo77 · 21/06/2006 11:21

How about this one?

Not, How Did He Die, But How Did He Live?

Not how did he die, but how did he live?
Not what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away.

CarolinaMoose · 21/06/2006 11:24

this is what we had at my grandad's funeral.

sleepycat · 21/06/2006 11:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kipper22 · 21/06/2006 11:34

carolinamoose - we were given a card with that one on after my grandads funeral - just perfect. you've got me sitting here blubbing now!

MrsBadger · 21/06/2006 11:53

how churchy is the funeral / the grandfather / the DH?

happened to have the Brahms requiem on the other day, and rather than being a hellfirey rant, the text is a made up of a mishmash of rather serene bible passages, portions of which are v appropriate for a funeral - scroll down on this page.

Or I rather like the chunk from Pilgrim's Progress:

After this it was noised abroad that Mr. Valiant-for-truth was taken with a summons. When he understood it, he called for his friends, and told them of it. Then said he,
'I am going to my Father's; and though with great difficulty I have got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am.
My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it.
My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who will now be my rewarder.'
When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the river-side, into which as he went, he said, "Death, where is thy sting?" And as he went down deeper, he said, "Grave, where is thy victory?"
So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.

Tommy · 21/06/2006 12:06

If it's in a church then this is nice:

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
2 A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.
9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? 10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

It is from the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. I think it's particulalary good when an old person dies as it is "their time".
My cousin read it at our grandma's funeral.

sparklemagic · 21/06/2006 13:03

oh, thanks so much everyone, fantastic responses and I am sure that DH will find something here - I'll let you know what he goes for!

I love Tommy's in particular as it is apt for someone who had their time!

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