leyton.org

I’ve been offline for a few days as I attended the funeral of an Uncle who died rather suddenly. At such as sad time, I was struck by the strength that his three children demonstrated during the funeral. My mother - my Uncle’s younger sister - was asked to do a reading, and she chose a piece that has become rather popular for such times.

All we had available were the words from a previous funeral where a friend of my mother’s had read the piece. We knew very little about the words, who wrote them, or what inspiration was behind the words. On my return to Glasgow, I cranked up the computer this morning and set about finding out. It transpires the words were written by Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918), the Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Something I find remarkable in the words is that they offer consolation and comfort to everybody. Whilst there is clear Christian reference by merit of the author’s faith, I find it reads well to the Humanist in me: Death does not mean that a person is out of thought or mind, and the good they did in the world lasts for a long time after.

My friend Jon Knowles also added a similar comment in his reading for my friend Daniel Gardner who died suddenly three years ago: “Look for Daniel in all that you see about you“. Strong, true and comforting words for times like these.

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
whatever we were to each other
that we still are
call me by my old familiar name
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used
put no difference in your tone
wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together
pray smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
without the trace of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
it is the same as it ever was
there is unbroken continuity
why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you
somewhere very near
just around the corner
All is well
Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)