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Sample Ethical Society Memorial Ceremony
We have gathered here today to honor the memory of [name]. Although [he/she] is no longer with us, [he/she] lives on in our thoughts and in our hearts. Each of us—whether a member of [his/her] family or a friend—has been touched by our experiences with [him/her] and each of us has come today to honor those moments.
There comes a time for each of us—the final break when the voice we loved and appreciated never speaks again and there is no response from a source that rarely failed us. We recognize today that though the physical presence is gone, the relationship does not end. [name]'s death ends [his/her] physical presence among us, but not our relationship with [him/her]. And so, today, we have come together to celebrate the life of [name].
Felix Adler, the founder of the Ethical Culture movement, said:
When the beloved is no longer present, the work we do upon the image of her is not to cease… we are to review the whole existence of her as we have probably never done while she was with us. We are to get the total perspective of her life, to see the fine qualities standing out more distinctly; to seize the net result of her existence… thus what she was is our permanent gain.
In this spirit, we will now share some of our memories of [name]:
[The family members, friends, and the congregation as a whole shares memories and readings.]
As we leave today, let us hold within each of us the many fine qualities and experiences of [name] that have been shared today, using them in our lives to build a better world for ourselves and others.
William Butler Yeats said:
For death does not end life but is part of it, one of nature's transformations as we work our way through its cycles. Death informs life. It is not simply the mother of beauty, it is the mother of life itself, for how could we conceive of life if there were no death? And it is only because we conceive of life that we know we must taste it lingeringly, try every flavor and nuance, drink in experience while we can. Death and life are dependent upon each other, like order and chaos, neither concept being possible without the other. So there should be no fear of death, which is omnipresent, part of life. Welcome it into your arms, for it is but rest; for you lie in nature like a heartbeat.
The family and I appreciate you being here today to honor [name], whose memory will live on through each and every one of us. Thank you.
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