Liturgy for Gramma

Many have asked about what kind of liturgy I used for my Gramma Moffett as I guided our family in the internment of her ashes. So I will share with you what I shared with my family on an emotional and beautiful day. She was interned in a beautiful place on top of a hill, where windows on each wing opened up to the sky and mountains. From one wing, you could see the sunrise. From the other, the sunset. Since she was a sunset person, she was on the sunset side.

Gathering:

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Family, we have come together to entomb the ashes of our loved one, Bev Moffett- mother, grandmother, and friend. In doing this we recall that our bodies bear the imprint of the first creation when they were fashioned from the dust; but in faith we remember, too, that by the new creation we also bear the image of our God, through Jesus, who was raised to bring us newness of life.

Invocation:

Blessed are you, Holy God, who has blessed us all with the gift of this earthly life and has given to us the life of Bev, and her span of years and gifts of character. God our Creator, we thank you now for all her life, for every memory of love and joy, for every good deed done by her, and every sorrow shared with us.

We thank you for her life, we thank you for the rest in You that she now enjoys, we thank you for giving her to us, we thank you for the glory we shall share together. Hear our prayers. Amen.

Reading of Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and staff- they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Amen.

My Gramma Moffett died this past Sunday, May 22nd. She was ready to go, lived a long life, and is now no longer struggling. It's a bitter sweet feeling now that she's gone. I find comfort in knowing that she was ready to go, had lived a long life, and it was just her time. I will miss her. She was always one of the more level headed people in our family in my opinion. She knew what she thought, she knew what she believed, and she was never hesitant to answer questions or talk with you about anything. She had a great laugh. She loved her family and appreciated each and every thing that anyone did for her. She loved dogs and cared for them as best as she could. She didn't like growing older. She was independent for as long as she could be. She was a football and basketball fan and enjoyed watching games with the family. She loved the color purple. When Leigh and I received birthday money from her, we knew that the $25 or so she would give us meant a whole lot more than a $100 check from anyone else. She gave from the heart. She had a great smile. She was also Roman Catholic...which is a path that she decided and went for all on her own!

I am so fortunate that I was able to have her at our wedding in August of 2008. She seemed so proud to be part of our family that night. I remember my mom and I standing with her at the window of our reception room looking out at the TN river and the full moon starting to rise. She was wearing a beautiful turquoise/teal dress. Everyone was there, and she was happy.

There were memorable holidays, too, like the Christmas where we were ALL together, and Leigh and I gave the grandmothers these quilt wall hangings with pictures of us. She hung it proudly in her hallway at her house. I think that was the last time that everyone was together for the holidays since I got married, and Leigh moved to OR.

It's hard to lose her, but I know that she is at peace now.

After I received the phone call from my dad about her death, I went and sat down on the couch and looked through some pictures. It was then that all the sudden it started to pour down rain outside. This lasted for 5 minutes, and then it was sunny and warm again. That morning in worship, we sang a song with this line: "There will be days when you want to give up- when the clouds settle in. But after the rain comes the sun- don't you ever forget....don't forget..." It was then that I felt a peace surround me and I felt her with me as well. Interestingly enough, my sister had a similar experience on the same day. She lives on through our lives and the small miracles we noticed around us.

A Scripture from Ecclesiates reminds us that:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to throw away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace

So we are reminded that we are here today to celebrate the seasons of her life, and the times we were a part of her seasons. We are also reminded that it was her time to pass, and her time for peace. May we find comfort in knowing that she is at peace in a season without end.

(My grandmother wanted her ashes to be interned with the ashes of her beloved dog (Boston terrier) named Boots. As his ashes were in with hers, I read this poem that seemed so appropriate):

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Sharing Stories: (Leigh shared a beautiful letter she wrote)

(Silent Prayer)

Pastoral Prayer:

God, today we come to celebrate and praise you for the gift of Bev’s life and the lives that she has touched as a mother, grandmother, and friend. May the stories we share, the memories we treasure, and the times we had with her live on through our thoughts and actions. May we continue to celebrate her life, to remember the stories, the laughter, the times we had, and may we treasure her always.

We also come with heavy hearts as we grieve her loss- that we will no longer be in her presence at family gatherings, or hear her voice on the phone, or hear her laugh. So we ask for comfort and peace at this time, as we shrink before the mystery of death. May we find ways to honor her in our lives, to see her presence in even the simple things like the wind through the trees, a waterfall that she would have loved, or the sunlight that breaks through the clouds.

So give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity. Amen.

Prayer of Committal:

Faithful God, Lord of all creation, you desire that nothing redeemed by You will ever be lost, and that you give the gifts of eternal life and your perfect love. Comfort us today with the word of your promise as we commit the ashes of Bev to this peaceful dwelling. Grant her a place of rest and peace where the world of dust and ashes has no dominion. Confirm in us the hope that she will be created anew in your loving care. And may we walk with peace and joy, knowing that our lives were blessed by her life.

May we go in peace. Amen.