R.E.M. – Find the River
Hey now, little speedyhead, The read on the speedometer says You have to go to task in the city Where people drown and people serve Don’t be shy. Your just dessert Is only just light years to go Me, my thoughts are flower strewn Ocean storm, bayberry moon I have got to leave to […]
Quote of the day
“I chose the start of the overture from The Mikado as the music for my Dad’s funeral…..it was that, or his other favourite, Doris Day, but my Mum pointed out that everyone would think we were outing him, so G&S it was…” Source
Thoughts of a funeral-goer
Posted by Lyra Mollington The lovely Mr Cowling and his little friend Vale have kindly invited me to contribute to the splendid GFG. As a lady of a certain age, I have attended more than my fair share of funerals, becoming something of a connoisseur. I have also attended more than my fair share of […]
Street Spirit
Rows of houses, all bearing down on me I can feel their blue hands touching me All these things into position All these things we’ll one day swallow whole And fade out again and fade out This machine will, will not communicate These thoughts and the strain I am under Be a world child, form […]
Take him, earth, for cherishing
Tony Piper, a very good friend of the GFG, whose wise and gentle counsel we value incredibly highly, sang these words the other night at a concert London. As he did so he wondered “What would be the most moving and powerful words of committal we could find, courtesy the GFG blog?” The words are from […]
Time It’s Time
Nobody knows how long Rustling leaves unrhyme Lullaby breeze unsung Babel of dreams unwinds in memory As bad as bad becomes It’s not a part of you And love is only sleeping Wrapped in neglect Time it’s time to live, Time it’s time to live through the pain Time it’s time to live now that […]
Brass is best
Lawrence Ferlinghetti wrote a poem about them. Novelist Amy Tan’s mother was serenaded by them as she lay in state. Muckraker Jessica Mitford’s memorial procession was led by them. And more than 300 Chinese families a year hire the Green Street Mortuary Band to give their loved ones a proper and musical send-off through the […]
Publishing event of the year!
The Natural Death Handbook, Fifth Edition A thoroughly updated and revised edition of the Natural Death Centre‘s celebrated handbook. Now presented alongside a new collection of essays on death, dying and funeral practices by doctors, historians, authors, poets, theologians and artists including Richard Barnett, David Jay Brown, Dr Sheila Cassidy, Charles Cowling, Bill Drummond, Stephen Grasso, […]
Vicar says no
“The only time I have turned any request for a song down was the occasion I was asked to take a funeral for an elderly gentleman and they want to play “Relax” as he was brought in. I reckon I am about as liberal they come on some issues but even I could not maintain […]
Jazz requiem
Posted by Vale This lovely jazz piece was actually a requiem for Charlie Parker – but at risk of offending purists I thought Frank O’Hara’s poem for Billie Holiday on the day she died fitted perfectly with the music. The Day Lady Died It is 12:20 in New York a Friday three days after Bastille […]
