December 13, 1946 - June 12, 2005

Read by David Ingalls

What we have once loved

We never loose.

All that we Love Deeply

Becomes a Part of Us.

Helen Keller

Read by David Gelinas

George Carlin write this about death

The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends.  I mean, life is tough.  It takes up a lot of your time.  What do you get at the end of it?  A death.  What’s that, a bonus?  I think the life cycle is all backwards.  You should die first, get it out of the way.  Then you live in an old age home.  You get kicked out when you are too young, you get a gold watch, you go to work.  You work forty years until you are young enough to enjoy your retirement.  You party and you get ready for high school.  You go to grade school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a little baby, you back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating….You finish Off with an Orgasm.

Read by River Lune

This verse are excerpts from the Memorial Card printed for David’s Dad, David Handel Sr.,  when He died,

 October 4, 1999.  It is entitled “I’m Free”

Don’t grieve for me, for now I am free.

I found the peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Oh Yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My Life has been full, (Because of all of you).

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Life up your hearts, and peace to thee

God wanted me now.

He set me free.

Verse Chosen to be read by Sandra Handel

I am Leaving

I am Leaving

But the Fighter still Remains

Simon and Garfunkel (The Boxer) 

Verse Read by Jason

Looking back it makes me wonder

Where we’re going

And how long we’ll stay

But in the hearts of those remembered

Burns a Candle with a silver flame.

Remember Old Friends we made along the way.

The Gifts they’ve given stay with us every day.

Mary McFadden

Verse read by Ashley

Did you ever know that you’re  my hero

And everything I would like to be.

I can fly higher than an eagle,

For you are the wind beneath my wings

Bette Midler

Verse Read by Keith

Let us endeavor to live so that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry.

Mark Twain

Verse read by Destiny

Death ends life,

Not a relationship.

Robert Bencley

Verse read by Laura

Love is stronger than death,

Even though it can’t stop death from happening.

But no matter how hard death tries, it can’t separate people from love.

It can’t take our memories away either.

I believe laughter is the cure for grief.

I believe that love is stronger than death.

Robert Fulghum

Verse chosen to be read by Linda

You’re here, there’s nothing to fear,

And I know that my heart will go on.

We’ll stay forever this way

You are safe in my heart

And my heart will go on and on

Celine Dion

Verse read by Greg

Everything you see has its roots in the unseen world.  The forms may change, yet the essence remains the same.  Every wonderful sight will vanish; every sweet word will fade, But do not be disheartened.  The source they come from is eternal, growing, branching out, giving new life and new joy.  Why do you weep?  The source is within you And this whole world is springing up from it.

Rumi

Verse chosen to be read by Michael Handel.  Read by Diane

Things we never said come together

The hidden truth no longer haunting me.

Tonight we touched on the things that were never spoken

That  kind of understanding sets me free.

‘Cause, I never thought I’d Lose

I only thought I’d win

I never dreamed I’d feel

This fire beneath my skin

I can’t believe you love me

I never thought you’d come.

I guess I misjudged love

Between a father and his sons

From the Last Song Elton John

Verse chosen to be read by Mahlon:

A gathering of angels appeared above my head

They sang to me this song of hope

And this is what they said

They said

Come sail away, come sail away

Come Sail Away with Me.

Styx

Verse read by Ann

I am sailing, I am sailing

Home again, Cross the sea.

I am flying, I am flying

Like a Bird, Cross the sky

I am flying, passing high clouds,

To be with you, To be Free.

Rod Stewart

Verse read by Lydia (David’s Mom)

My grandmother was a very strong woman.  I wish you all could have known her.  She buried three of her husbands.

………And two of them were just napping.

Rita Rudner

Verse read by Michael Ingalls:

Dying is akin to having been in a rather stuffy room

Where too many people are talking and smoking

And suddenly you see a door that allows you to exit

Into fresh air and sunlight.

You are Home.

From Emmanuel

 Verse read by David Gelinas

Jerry Seinfield’s view on funerals are interesting.  He writes:

The proof that we don’t understand death is we give dead people a pillow in the casket.  I mean if you can’t stretch out and get some solid rest at that point, I don’t think there are any bedding accessories that can make a difference.  But the suit and the pillow really shows how we have no idea what to get these people ready for.  I mean, what situation are you going into with a suit and a pillow?  There are not business nap meetings.

Verse read by Christopher:

I can’t suddenly tell you

All the things I should tell you.

But I am with you without ever seeing you,

Time out of mind, till the end.

Sharpen your ears and you’ll

Hear me, coming and going

And lingering out in the rain.

Excerpts from the poem For Everybody by Pablo Neruda

 Verse read by Diane

Death is like taking off a tight shoe.  Even when you are dead, you are still alive.  You do not cease to exist at death.  That is only illusion.  You go through the doorway of death alive and there is no altering of the consciousness.  It is not a strange land you go to but a land of loving reality where the growth process is a continuation.

Why does someone die when they are young?

Because they have completed their task.

There is no other reason.

Young?

You are all eternal.

Once you escape from the time-space continuum, that “young” becomes a very old soul.

Communication does not stop at the doorway of death.  The wall between physical reality and spirit reality is very thin.

Matter becomes less dense.  Consciousness becomes less restricted.  Colors become more vibrant.  Sounds become more pleasant.  All the senses, finally release from the heavy cloak of the physical body and take flight with song.  When your eyes have become adjusted to the greater vision, there they are…..Those companions of Light you love so deeply.  They walked you to the doorway of birth and promised you then that they would be there waiting at the doorway of death.  And they are.  You are Home.

From Emmanual

Verse read by Mark:

And What Should we do immediately following

 the death of a loved one?

First, the willingness to let that person go into the next step of their evolution is extremely helpful, not only to you

 but to them.

A “Farewell,” a Bon Voyage” a “Godspeed.”

Then the rest of you look to each other and give comfort and assurance and the hugs and the Kleenex that is necessary.  Next take yourselves to a place of great luxury and enjoy an incredible feast.  Salute the soul that has completed its task, touch glasses to the time when you will meet again and go about the business of your lives.

From Emmanuel

Verse read by Jeremy

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world,

The Master calls a butterfly.

Richard Bach

Verse read by Andy:

From the movie Twin Falls Idaho

There are no such things as sad endings.

Everything has a happy ending.  It’s just that the author has stopped telling the story.  But the story still continues.

Verse read by Riki:

That though the radiance which was once so bright be now forever taken from my sight.  Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower.  We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.

William Wordsworth

Verse Read by Willow

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Kahil Gibran