Sample Memorial Service

Reading:

A reading from The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran

You would know the secret of death. But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life? The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light. If you would behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. In the depths of our hopes and desire, lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring. Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the King whose hand is to be laid upon him in honor. Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling that he shall wear the mark of the King? Yet, he is not more mindful of his trembling? For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun. And what is it to cease breathing , but to free the breathe from its restless tides that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountaintop, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

Eulogy:

I had only met Mariana once in this very spot a few months ago. And even though I only met her once she made a lasting impression on me. I guess it didnt matter if Mariana knew you two minutes or two decades, you were family to her regardless. And regardless of where you came from or who you were, you were embraced and loved by her. I remember when I met her she was wearing this fuzzy pink sweater with lots of accessories and I remember her being a very strong presence with an open smile. She had a light that shined so bright that its magnificance filled up this room. I remember being at the diner around the corner and everyone competed to sit next to Mariana. Within minutes I completely understood why. Even though I was on the other side of the diner away from Mariana, It was impossible not to hear the continuous commotion of laughter that was coming from her direction. Because lets face it, Mariana was funny and she was fun to be with. Mariana made the whole room erupt with joy and laughter. It didn't matter if you were next to her or across the street, Mariana's warmth, humor, and love was going to get to you sooner or later.

When I heard of her passing, I was deeply saddened because people like Mariana are so rare in this world and during times like these, the earth mourns when it loses one of its angels. It is not for me to know God's plan, or why Mariana was called back home. But I have faith that she was called for a higher purpose. I know that she is free from pain and sickness and I know that she watches over us now and that is the greatest gift anyone could ask for.

There is a prayer that I hold very dear to my heart. It is a prayer that I try to live by and I would like to dedicate this prayer to Mariana because I feel that Mariana lived her life by this prayer from St. Francis of Assissi:

Lord, make me an instument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness; light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. God bless you Mariana.