A Blessing for the Ashes

flowers and panes of a wall at the San Francisco columbarium (a repository for cremains)

Single Set of Cremains

Whispering Breath of Mystery, rattling the windows of our spirits with tears and sorrow, draw us back to the wonderful, the loving, the beautiful times we had with name, whose ashes we now hold. Recall to us his/her / this one’s inspirational actions, caring, and commitment. Grant us these good stories as shelter from the blasts of loneliness and from the hunger for being together as we once were. Together we shall be again, ashes mingled with ashes, as together we came out of the stars and earth, stardust and mud, extraordinary and mundane. These ashes are blessed, because name's life was holy, worthy, and meaningful. These ashes are blessed, a reminder of the gift of name's life. These ashes are blessed, a gift of return to this earth, a gift of renewal. We are blessed to have known her/him/this one. We are blessed to carry on some part of this one’s /his/her story. And from such blessing, we give thanks for the life that has gifted our own. Amen. Blessed Be.

Group Service

Whispering Breath of Mystery, rattling the windows of our spirits with tears and sorrow, draw us back to the wonderful, the loving, the beautiful times we had with the persons whose ashes we now behold. Recall to us their inspirational actions, caring, and commitment. Grant us these good stories as shelter from the blasts of loneliness and from the hunger for being together as we once were. Together we shall be again, ashes mingled with ashes, as together we came out of the stars and earth, stardust and mud, extraordinary and mundane. These ashes are blessed, because these persons’ lives were holy, worthy, and meaningful. These ashes are blessed, a reminder of the gift of our beloveds’ lives. These ashes are blessed, a gift of return to this earth, a gift of renewal. We are blessed to have known them. We are blessed to carry on some part of their stories. And from such blessing, we give thanks for the lives that have gifted our own. Amen. Blessed Be.