INTRODUCTION

A famous writer once said “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give”.

If that is true, then ________ (name of deceased) made a great life.  He/She was the most giving person I’ve ever known. And judging from the nodding heads I see in front of me, it seems that many of you agree.

EARLY LIFE

_________ (name) was born __________ (full birth name) on ________ (their birthdate) in _______ (city).

He/She was the ______ (first, second, only) child of ________ (name of loved one’s father) and ________ (name of loved one’s mother). They lived in _______ (city) from _____ (year) to _______ (year), and later moved to _______ and _______.

SCHOOLING AND WORK

_________ (name) went to _______ and _______ (name of schools) and graduated with ________ (name of degree or training).

He/She then went to work for ________ (name of company) as a _______ (name of postion). Over the years, ______(name) also worked for ________, _______ and _______ (name of other companies)

OR also worked in  _______ and _______ (type of job, e.g. sales, teaching, farming, homemaking).

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

In ______ (year) ________ (name) met _______ (name of spouse) and they were married _____ (number) years later. Eventually they had ___ (number) children, _______, _______ and _______ (names of their children).

Last year, ______ (name) and _______ (spouse’s name) celebrated their _____ (number, e.g. 50th) wedding anniversary.

HOBBIES AND SERVICE

______ (name) was very active in the ________ (church, community, local theatre, quilting, volunteer firefighting).

He/She devoted many hours to _______ (hobby or service) and was known for ________ (what person was known for in the hobby or service, e.g. her exquisite quilt designs; always being ready with a helping hand;

always having a positive attitude).

MEMORIES

I asked family and friends to tell me what they remember most about ______ (name). There are so many good memories. __________. __________. _________. ___________. (list 5 or 6 memories in short sentence form, e.g. Playing music together. Fishing at Ajax Lake. His big hearty laugh. The time we went to Disneyland and Susie got lost).

One that I remember in particular is the time when __________ (tell a longer story that illustrates your

loved one’s personality – this can be a heart-warming story or a humorous story).

SUMMING UP

_________ (name) was a remarkably _________ (an adjective, e.g. good; thoughtful; hardworking; fun-loving) person. He/She was a person of great _______ and ________ (two words that describe the person’s character, e.g. devotion, integrity, love, compassion, service, humor).

Above all, _________ (name) believed in _________ (the person’s highest value, e.g. family, faith, hard work, independence, community, compassion).  He/She always said “___________” (a common saying that

illustrates the person’s highest value, e.g. “family is the most important thing in life”; “you get out of life what you put into it”; “life is short, so enjoy it while you can!”)

Those are words of wisdom that I will always cherish.

In closing, I would like to share this poem with you:

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 glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake 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 do not sleep.

________, (name) thank you for being part of our lives. We are all going to miss you.