Personalise the Service

Eulogy

A eulogy is a piece spoken at a funeral to commemorate the person who has died, to say farewell, and to bring to life some of the memories and thoughts that the congregation will have of the deceased.

A eulogy can be written and delivered by anybody who feels that they would like to do so. They are not just reserved for large funerals with a big congregation, or modern services without a minister of religion, they are used daily by all families from all walks of life.

The first thing to remember is that their is no right or wrong way to write the eulogy, it is more important that it is a personal reflection of the person that has died, than it is a formal piece of writing designed to fit a particular style.

This section of our website will offer various poems and pieces of prose that have been used before, and that are popular at funerals. These can be a useful starting point around which to build your own eulogy.

Each of our Funeral Directors will be able to offer advice on how to write a personal eulogy when approached by a client, although more often than not the Officiant will create a Eulogy with the assistance of the family. Please speak with your local office for assistance.

Music/Hymns

Music plays a significant role in personalising a funeral service. Whether the funeral is a religious or non-religious ceremony, carefully chosen music can be of immense emotional support to the bereaved.

The inclusion of a hymn in a funeral service gives those present an opportunity to participate more fully in the ceremonial act of farewell to the deceased.

What Music is appropriate ?

The music you choose for a funeral can be anything from traditional hymns and organ music to something more modern.

As funerals become more personalised and unique to reflect the life of the person who has died, families are opting for personal favourites or contemporary songs to be played. Music can be light-hearted, even humorous or you could even be played by a live musician.

Depending on the location of the service, there may be certain restrictions. Although many churches and crematoria allow contemporary music, in some instances they may not permit CDs to be played, insisting on organ music.

• Music in Church

  When music is requested as part of a funeral service in church, we can help arrange your requirements with yourself, the minister and the organist

• Music in Crematoria Chapels

  All crematoria offer facilities for the provision of recorded music, and, almost without exception, an electronic or pipe organ is also available. At the crematorium a maximum of two hymns should be chosen. If more than two hymns are requested and the service is likely to run over its time scale, the booking of double chapel time must be considered.

• Cemetery Chapels

  The majority of cemetery chapels do not possess an organ or even a harmonium although recorded music is available in some.

Contemporary music

Special musical favourites of you loved one may be added, whether it is played at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of services and ceremonies and is just as likely to beopen or asked for, as more traditional hymns or music. Jazz, pop, gospel and football songs are now more regularly played at funerals, even at those services conducted by clergy. Includedin this category are My way, We’ll meet again, Softly as I leave you,Unforgettable, You’ll never walk alone, Wind beneath my Wings and Tears from Heaven the last of these being particularly poignant at the funeral of a child. Music which reflects the person’s hobbies; such as theme tunes from Channel 4 horse racing, Countdown and Match of the Day.Live music; such as bagpipes, trumpeter, Spanish guitars and jazz bands.

White Doves

It is never easy to say goodbye to loved ones, but in addition to flowers, a white dove release for a funeral or memorial is one of the most loving and inspirational gifts to give. Our doves are personally bred and trained by the family to ensure you receive beautiful white birds that are guaranteed to return back to their home.

What the Doves Represent

Single Dove Release

The release of a single dove represents the spirit and soul of the departed being released to begin their ?nal journey home.

Two Dove Release

The release of a pair of doves represents the joining of two souls.

Four Dove Release

The release of four doves represents the spirit of the departed joining the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit to be guided lovingly on their final journey home.
You may also wish to have the closest members of the family release a single dove each to celebrate the life of the person that has died.

Prices quoted include the collection of doves the day prior to the funeral, keeping safely overnight and watering and caring for them. The provision of a vehicle and one member of staff to the venue and releasing the homing doves at the appropriate time. Those doves used on local funerals live at the Lymn Rose family home and were bred there, are cared for there, and have been trained to find their way home from the local cemeteries and crematoria. Therefore these doves can only be used within fifteen miles of their cote in Arnold.

Any other quantity of doves can be made available. Please ask you funeral director for more information and prices.

Funeral Venues

There is a wide choice of either religious (Church, Chapel, etc.) or non-religious venues. For the latter a non-religious ceremony can be held in ‘Any place that is capable of holding a coffin and a group of mourners with dignity’, the final disposal of the deceased often assisting choice of location:

• For Cremation it would seem logical to hold the ceremony in the Crematorium chapel, crematoria often having the facility to cover religious symbols with covers or blinds or indeed remove them altogether.
• For Burial, a simple graveside ceremony may be appropriate.
• Other options would be to hold the ceremony in the family home, the Funeral Director’s premises or in a local hall or community centre.