Session 8: Memorial Rituals

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Part of Signs of Our Faith, Grades 2-3: Being UU Every Day

In This Section

Introduction
From Signs of Our Faith

I would like to believe when I die that I have given myself away like a tree that sows seed every spring and never counts the loss, because it is not loss, it is adding to the future life. It is the tree’s way of being. Strongly rooted perhaps, but spilling out its treasure on the wind. — May…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: The Story of Easter 10 Activity 2: Ritual Matching Game 15 Activity 3: Second Emblem 10 Activity 4: Remembering Our Loved Ones 15 Faith in Action: Memorial Photo Frames 25 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action — Memorial Garden…
Spiritual Preparation
From Signs of Our Faith

Take a moment to recall memorial rituals you have attended or planned. Think about why you felt it was important to participate in a funeral and/or memorial service. Did you find comfort in sharing the ritual with others?…
Opening
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Centering table A chime or bell Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Cloth for centering table Optional: Stoles, including extras for visitors Preparation for Activity Prepare to lead the…
Activity 1: The Story of Easter
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of “The Story of Easter” Optional: Fidget basket (see Session 1, Leader Resource 2, Fidget Objects) Preparation for Activity Read the story so you will be comfortable telling or reading it to the children….
Activity 2: Ritual Matching Game
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Ritual Matching Game Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 1. On a sheet of newsprint, list Muslim, Unitarian Universalist, Hindu, Catholic, and Jewish. Post the newsprint. Description of…
Activity 3: Second Emblem
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Stoles Craft materials Optional: Leader Resource 3, Second Emblem Preparation for Activity Print copies of Leader Resource 3 and cut out a Second Emblem image for each child, including extra for newcomers….
Activity 4: Remembering Our Loved Ones
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Memorial Ritual — Letter to Parents A table for a memorial altar, an attractive cloth, and one or more battery-operated, LED candles Newsprint, markers, and tape Paper and pens/pencils Stoles Optional: Additional items for table,…
Closing
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Taking It Home Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Stoles, including extras for visitors Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy for all participants. And/or,…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Signs of Our Faith

What went well in this session? What have you learned that you can apply in the future? How did the children interact? Did everyone in the group display compassion, caring, and awareness of the sensitivity of this topic?…
Faith In Action: Memorial Photo Frames
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Wood frames, plain with wide border for decorating Newsprint, markers, and tape Newspaper to cover work tables Acrylic paint (various colors), paintbrushes, and bowls of water Permanent markers Smocks or large tee shirts to protect clothing Optiona…
Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action - Memorial Garden
From Signs of Our Faith

Materials for Activity Hardy flowers and/or plants in pots Garden tools (ask congregants to borrow planting supplies). Construction paper Markers and crayons of various colors Preparation for Activity Meet with someone who is in charge of buildings and grounds….
Taking It Home: Memorial Rituals
From Signs of Our Faith

I would like to believe when I die that I have given myself away like a tree that sows seed every spring and never counts the loss, because it is not loss, it is adding to the future life. It is the tree’s way of being. Strongly rooted perhaps, but spilling out its treasure on the wind. — May…
The Story of Easter

Sophia Lyon Fahs

From Signs of Our Faith

Adapted from Jesus, The Carpenter’s Son (Boston: Beacon Press, 1945). Jesus was a great teacher long, long ago who preached God’s love. Jesus taught that we should care for the poor and forgive people who hurt us. In his lifetime, Jesus influenced many people to love one another as they loved God.
Handout 1: How Do We Remember
From Signs of Our Faith

A Unitarian Universalist memorial service might include: Saying opening words Lighting candles Sharing a moment of silence Sharing memories of the loved one who has died Singing a hymn together Listening to music that was special to the loved one Saying goodbye Saying closing words…
Leader Resource 1: Ritual Matching Game
From Signs of Our Faith

Muslim Loved ones observe a three-day mourning period. Body is buried within 24 hours and with only a white sheet. Catholic Funerals involve three parts: vigil, mass, and burial. Sometimes, but not always, mourners view the body in an open casket. In some cultures, the vigil is called a wake and…
Leader Resource 2: Memorial Ritual - Letter to Parents
From Signs of Our Faith

Dear Parents, When we meet on [DATE], the Signs of Our Faith group will talk about Unitarian Universalist memorial rituals and enact a ritual together. Our ritual will emphasize that after death, deceased people and pets live on in our hearts and memories and through the love they have shared….
Leader Resource 3: Second Emblem
From Signs of Our Faith

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From Signs of Our Faith

Bereaved Children and Teens: A Support Guide for Parents and Professionals, by Earl A. Grollman (Boston: Beacon Press, 1996), compiles the wisdom of 14 experts in a comprehensive guide to helping children and adolescents cope with the emotional, religious, social, and physical consequences of a…