This is an actual funeral service I was asked to perform at the veterans cemetary at lake Worth / Wellington.
This is the memorial service that I was asked to perform for the eulogy.
I have some experience in performing eulogies for veterans burials.
We gather here today to give thanks for the life of Carl who died on March 15, at the age of 83.
It is in his memory that we gather and for his life that we are thankful.
PRAYER
Eternal spirit, before whom generations rise and pass away, we find that even in the face of death, our words can be those of thanksgiving.
We are thankful for one who shared his life with us...One for whom love and family were so important
For the struggles of life, and for the triumph of character over trial, of courage over difficulty, of faith over sorrow, we give thanks.
God grant us such strength in the memory of our loved one that we might be thankful for the gift of life that is given to each of us, and in our hearts, may the loss of Carl be balanced by thanksgiving for the life that he shared with us. Amen.
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There is much to be thankful for as we remember Carl and the way he shared his life with those around him. Each of us gives gifts of ourselves to those we share life with. These are gifts that can never be taken away. Though we are gone, these gifts endure.
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Carl was born in Louisiana on New Year’s Day in 1926. He was raised in Miami with his six brothers and sisters. He had many adventures as he moved through life, from his childhood in Miami, his service in the Navy in WW2, and his varied occupations, which included flying a crop duster, working in all areas of construction, and working at the cape during the years of the US Space program.He loved to fish and especially loved to collect things, and to share the treasures he would find with others. He was a generous man. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->Carl could always make you laugh with one of his corny jokes (How are you feeling today Carl? With my hands, like always!) He must have had a million of them! He loved his family and was loved in return by four sons and two daughters, eleven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews, and his many friends. At the senior citizen apartments where he spent his last few years, he was affectionately referred to as “the mayor”. The residents and staff members there keenly feel his loss.<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> Carl was baptized an Episcopalian, and quietly and privately practiced his faith.<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->Carl was a unique and deeply loved individual, and will always be greatly missed, especially by his family.<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->
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Let us pray.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life
through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty
God our brother Carl; and we commit his body to the ground; *
earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless
him and keep him, the Lord make his face to shine upon him
and be gracious unto him, the Lord lift up his countenance
upon him and give him peace. Amen.
Before the sublime mystery of life and spirit, the mystery of infinite space and endless time, we stand in reverent awe....
This much we know: we are at least one phase of the immortality of life.
The mighty stream of life flows on, and, in this mighty stream, we too flow on...not lost...but each eternally significant.
For this I feel: The spirit never betrays the person who trusts him. Physical life may be defeated but life goes on; character survives, goodness lives and love is immortal."
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<!--[endif]--> May peace be with you all, and may your memories soothe your sorrow.
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Posted at: 10:05 PM | Add Comment
