Evening of Remembrance

For the love that we have shared with those who are dear to us; for the love that flows deep within us that will never end; for the love that lifts up our spirits and our hearts; we light a candle for love.

For the joy that gave birth to so many positive moments, days, and years; for the joy that our loved ones experienced during their time here on earth; for the joy that gave encouragement to those who would follow in their footsteps; we light a candle for joy.

For the memories of faces and voices that are records of our journey together with others; for the memories of smells and sounds and meals together that satisfied far more than our appetites; for the memories of the people who not only gave us gifts but who were truly gifts to us; we light a candle for memories.

For the tears that point us toward our true feelings, and root us in time and eternity’s deepest truths; for the tears of joy as we remember jokes and stories we have shared with our loved ones; for the tears that signal an inner release, a new freedom, a relief shared with those we mourn; we light a candle for tears.

For the hopes our loved ones carried within their hearts and spirits; for the hope and trust we place in the power to continue loving those whom we have lost in death; for the hope that brings forth in us confidence to love others now without regrets; we light a candle for hope.

For the peace we want for our loved ones and for ourselves; for the peace that is even deeper than our words and feelings can express; for the peace that helps to heal the distance that separates us from one another; we light a candle for peace.

For the strength that empowers us to live each moment and each day to the fullest; for the strength that allows forgiveness to heal the unfinished parts of our relationships; for the strength that allows us to remember those who have left an imprint in our hearts; we light a candle for strength.

The dance between darkness and light is ongoing. In the light of memories of those we love, we have come, hoping to dispel the darkness.

The night is very dark, and the season is chill, and our hearts are full to overflowing, often with tears.

Yet there is light in the darkness and there is tenderness in the tears. We have hope that one day there will be joy again. 

We light candles in our trust that hope will be fulfilled. We light candles of hope and remembrance.

Darkness is the place in which we first see light. We will seek the light in the darkness of our grief.

Life-giver and Light-bearer remain among us and help us to see our way into the night, until the dawn breaks again, for each and for all.

May we be ever mindful of the love that surrounds us. May we remember those whom we love with even more joy than sorrow. May they, and may we ourselves, go forth in peace.