{"id":382,"date":"2016-05-12T07:17:11","date_gmt":"2016-05-12T14:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unitariancongregation.org\/ceremonies\/?p=382"},"modified":"2016-05-20T10:03:11","modified_gmt":"2016-05-20T17:03:11","slug":"a-ceremony-for-dying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.unitariancongregation.org\/ceremonies\/a-ceremony-for-dying\/","title":{"rendered":"A Ceremony for Dying"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Candle-Shapes-candles-14113290-1024-768\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ceremony for Dying <\/strong><\/p>\n

A ceremony for dying will be different depending on if the dying person is in the last few hours, days, weeks or months of their life. This can be shortened to the length that the dying person is comfortable with. The musical youtube links are to songs you might learn beforehand.<\/p>\n

Bring a small dish and some sandalwood or lavender or non-scented oil. Pour a bit of oil into the dish.<\/p>\n

A favourite song could be hummed together with everyone holding hands around the person\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n

Song<\/strong><\/p>\n

Navajo Blessing:
\nWhen you were born you cried and the world rejoiced.
\nLive your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice
\nClick here to see a YouTube Video of this song<\/p>\n

Blessing of the hands<\/strong><\/p>\n

(Family members take hands of dying person they can also hold their feet and the leader says)<\/em><\/p>\n

These are the hands that have created a marriage.<\/p>\n

These are the hands that have given love through (list the person\u2019s hobbies).<\/p>\n

These are the hands that have given strength in times of tragedy and loss.<\/p>\n

These are the hands that nourished and supported through hard times and good times.<\/p>\n

These are the hands that have completed countless tasks with patience and perseverance.<\/p>\n

These are the hands that have tenderly held children and grandchildren.<\/p>\n

These are the hands that have created a life and given love.<\/p>\n

These are the hands that have always shown compassion<\/p>\n

These are the hands whose touch will never be forgotten.<\/p>\n

Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n

He did not say \u201cYou will not be troubled, you will not be belabored, you will not be afflicted\u201d; he said \u201cyou will not be overcome.\u201d \u2013 Mother Julian of Norwich.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sufi Song<\/strong> from the mystical tradition of Islam<\/p>\n

\u201cAll I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you\u201d.<\/p>\n

In Arabic \u201cIshq\u2019Allah, m<\/em>a abud L\u2019illah<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Click here to listen Sufi Chant<\/a><\/p>\n

Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:<\/p>\n

A time to be born, and a time to die;<\/p>\n

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted<\/p>\n

A time to kill, and a time to heal;<\/p>\n

A time to break down, and a time to build up;<\/p>\n

A time to weep, and a time to laugh.<\/p>\n

A time to mourn, and a time to dance.<\/p>\n

-Ecclesiastes<\/p>\n

Sharing of memories<\/strong><\/p>\n

Go around the circle \u2013 each person can anoint the dying person with oil.\u00a0 On the forehead, hands, or feet and speak a memory.<\/p>\n

Closing reading<\/strong><\/p>\n

Death is at once the end of the body`s old journey<\/p>\n

And the beginning of the soul`s new journey.<\/p>\n