SCATTERING OF ANITA’S ASHES
UNDER A GINKGO BILOBA TREE – MAIDENHAIR TREE
 IN THE GROUNDS OF PETERBOROUGH CREMATORIUM
 
 
Tuesday, 4th June 2024 at 2.15pm
 
We meet here to scatter the ashes of Anita Liane Garfoot whose physical body was committed for cremation on 1st May 2024.
 
We spend a few moments to quietly remember Anita -
our daughter, sister and niece.
 
God of love, you have sustained us in times of sadness since Anita’s death, help us to know that you love and care for us all and that she is safely continuing to the next stage of her journey.
 
We remain one with her and are assured of her continued love and spiritual presence.
 
We now return these ashes of Anita’s mortal body to the earth within the cycles of nature.
 
 
 
Scattering of ashes by Crematorium staff
 
Sprinkling of Holy Oil from Mount Athos in Greece
 
Sprinkling of dried lavender from Hitchin Lavender
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beneath the Ginkgo - A sonnet by Raymond Garfoot
 
Too soon! Your ashes scattered on the green
are caught by time beneath a Ginkgo tree
which marks the seasons as they’ve always been
with fan-shaped leaves, and pollen that’s blown free
 
or autumn images of God within
consisting of the love surrounding all
which casts out stubborn fears of death and sin,
 
but you’ve no inbuilt seasons’ calendar,
your time’s the mansion of eternity,
within your present you can travel far
to find a hall where you might bring a key
 
to silent rooms where earthly time is slow,
returning with your spirit’s golden glow.
 
A Celtic Blessing
 
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.
May the road rise to meet you;
May the wind be always at your back;
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
May the rains fall softly upon your fields.
                Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His Hand.