Aurora Ceremonies

A very emotional service this week for Jim, who was taken much too soon at just 60 years old. An unprecedented number of people came to pay their respects to a man who had spent his life serving his country and his community - in the military, the police and as a paramedic.
It was so humbling to work with Jim and his wonderful family on his service in the months before he passed, along with the amazing team at Isca Funerals. Jim crammed more into his 60 years than many who live past 100 - always learning, always growing. A true inspiration.

It’s not everyday that you officiate a service like this one. A woodland burial for Tony - on his own land, with his son driving the coffin to its final resting place. His family had even built a seating area just for the service. Moving tributes and poetry from his lovely family gave Tony the perfect send off in the sunshine.

Incredible service at Matthews Hall, Topsham for Pauline today. Her family and friends went above and beyond to make the venue look so welcoming and friendly - full of spring flowers. We sung along to her favourite musical and told her adventurous life story.
Without time pressures, her husband and three sons were able to each deliver wonderful, individual tributes to the woman that meant everything to them. It was an honour and a privilege to be part of such a loving goodbye.

Nobody is perfect - it’s important to recognise all of the traits that made someone who they were when we celebrate their life. Today’s service for Michael captured the light and shade of his personality and allowed us to let him go with a clean slate.
When I’m Gone
When I come to the end of my journey... And I travel my last weary mile Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned And remember only the smile
Forget unkind words I have spoken Remember some good I have done Forget that I ever had heartache And remember I've had loads of fun
Forget that I've stumbled and blundered And sometimes fell by the way Remember I have fought some hard battles And won, ere the close of the day
Then forget to grieve for my going I would not have you sad for a day But in summer just gather some flowers And remember the place where I lay
And come in the shade of evening When the sun paints the sky in the west Stand for a few moments beside me And remember only my best
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Moving service for Kathy, 88, on this snowy morning. I was so touched by how much love and respect her family had for her.
She Is Gone - David Harkins
You can shed tears that she is gone... Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
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A beautiful, highly spiritual service for Patsy on this crisp, winter morning. She chose this Kahlil Gibran reading herself which always makes it even more poignant.
Life and death are one, even as the river and sea are one In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond; And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.... Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity...
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb, And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
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