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Readings and Poems

Poems:

They Are not Long

They are not long, the weeping and the laughter,

Love and desire and hate:

I think they have no portion in us after

We pass the gate.

They are not long, the days of wine and roses:

Out of a misty dream

Our path emerges for a while, then closes

Within a dream.

Ernest Dowson 1867-1900, b. England

 

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awake in the morning hush,

I am the swift, uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I did not sleep.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there, I did not die!

Mary Frye 1932

 

If I Should Go

If I should go before the rest of you

Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone

Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice

But be the usual selves that I have known

Weep if you must

Parting is hell

But life goes on

So sing as well.

Joyce Grenfell 1910-1979

 

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone fare away into the silent land;

When you can go no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I have turn to go yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you planned:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

Christina Rossetti

 

Not in Vain

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain:

If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Emily Dickinson

 

Look for me in Rainbows

Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye;

Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.

In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,

Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

 

Time for me to leave you, I won’t say goodbye;

Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.

In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,

Just look for me and love me, and I’ll be close to you.

 

It won’t be forever, the day will come and then,

My loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.

 

Time for us to part now, we won’t say goodbye;

Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.

Every waking moment, and all your whole life through

Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

 

Just wish me to be near you,

And I’ll be there with you.

Music and lyrics: Conn Bernard (1990). Vicki Brown

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Celebrate a life lived

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Testimonials

“I can’t say how grateful I am for their love and care – there are no words.  They also run so many events to help keep you stay connected if that’s what you want.  Amazing place with amazing people.  Would give them higher than 5* if could.”

C.A.

“Sincere thanks to everyone at Old Park Meadow for their outstanding professional and kind support; and for helping us to arrange such a beautiful Celebration of Life for our son. Old Park Meadow is such a beautiful and peaceful place and the staff are wonderful. The service was exactly what we wanted and so many people who were there have told us how impressed they were both with the service and the venue. I would not hesitate to recommend Old Park Meadow to anyone seeking a natural burial for a loved one.”

K.B.

“Just a few lines to thank you all for your help yesterday. The professional way you approached everything was highly commendable. It made a grim day much brighter.”

S.T.

“I just wanted to thank you both so much for all your help, kindness and professionalism.  The whole family are so grateful, that with your help we were able to say goodbye to our dad in such a beautiful way. It has helped so much to know that he is laid to rest in a place that he would’ve loved.  I imagine that you both go well beyond your job description! You have helped us through a very stressful and difficult time with such thoughtfulness, consideration and care and I truly thank you so much for making such a sad time, when you can’t think straight, bearable.”

C.D.

“We would like to thank you for the fantastic service you provided last Tuesday. Everything was perfectly organised and we were especially grateful for being so accommodating. We consider ourselves very lucky to have found your Lodge and the service you offer which was just right for our needs.  We were also blessed with a glorious sunny day! The acoustics and afternoon tea were also great and please pass on our thanks to the caterers.”

J.M.

“Such a lovely place for Mum’s final resting place. Just what she wanted with a wonderful service, Delyse and all the staff were so understanding.”

S.P.

“We were very pleased to find Old Park Meadow as a resting place for my mother who wanted a woodland burial. The location is beautiful, and the service room is both beautiful and uplifting. It is very well run and organised. The emphasis here is on natural, and much attention has been given to planting and conservation. The planting is relatively recent, so trees are still young, but will obviously mature over time. Costs were reasonable, and clearly set out. My sisters and I looked at several other natural burial grounds, but this was a clear first choice for us.”

D.P.

My family and I chose Old Park Meadow to hold my late brothers funeral service. It was without a doubt the right choice, both the chapel and grounds are beautiful, and brought a definite sense of calm and peace to the occasion. Delyse is a pleasure to deal with, and nothing was too much trouble for her. I would have no hesitation in recommending Old Park Meadow for any occasion. Thank you so much for making a difficult time a lot easier.

A.C.

“Thank you Delyse for assisting us in making our small service for my Mum’s internment perfect, my Mum enjoyed nature of all aspects and all it’s beauty and oak park meadow is such a perfect place for her final resting place. I cant wait to see how things grow and change and Mum’s tree flourish in all its beauty and the wildlife that makes it there new home over the years as i visit my mum over the years to come with my family.”

K.F.

“What a beautiful place, from the minute I drove down the drive I knew it was going to be nice, but when you get out of the car and see the stunning views and beautiful building it’s something else. Really tranquil and welcoming. Attention to detail is outstanding, well done to all those involved.”

L.T.

“Truly Beautiful setting. Vast amount of memorial options at this gorgeous nature reserve. Very lovely welcoming and extremely helpful staff that made laying our amazing mummy to rest, much more bearable.”

S.W.

“What a wonderful place – so peaceful and beautiful inside and out. A pleasure to meet Delyse and look forward to working with you in the future.”

K.W.C.

“We have received so many lovely comments about Mum’s service on Tuesday – and everybody I spoke to commented on the beautiful setting. Thanks once again for your help in making it the wonderful tribute that Mum deserved.”

K.M.

“A beautiful and tranquil place. I feel peaceful knowing mum is here. Delyse was incredibly thoughtful and supportive. I was touched by how she helped us include four very small grandchildren in a gentle, loving and practical way to help them say goodbye to Nana.”

R.L.

“Thank you for yesterday. The burial ground is so beautiful and peaceful, it was a privilege to be able to lay dad to rest somewhere so pretty. Being able to hear the sheep in the background and knowing that some of dads younger years were in rural Yorkshire (very much sheep country) was lovely and emphasised the peace of the setting. And so in keeping with his wishes to return to nature in death. It’s comforting to know he would have loved the site, we can imagine him off sunbathing in the long grass.”

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