Memorial trees have become a lovely way to honor someone’s legacy. Our memory trees are situated on our secluded, private property—recognized by the County and permanently safe from development. The location is not set up for day-to-day traffic. So, we open the property twice a year for a special “Day of Celebration”.
Once in the spring, and again in the fall, we invite friends and family members to visit their loved one’s memorial tree on our property. It’s a meaningful time to visit, remember and reflect.
Table of Contents
Prayers of Remembrance
Poems about Loss
Bible Verses about Heaven
During our celebration days, family members often mark the moment with a few private words of remembrance. We’ve collected some popular prayers, poems, and Bible verses that you may like to read when you visit a memory tree.
Prayers of Remembrance
You can repeat these prayers of remembrance as you visit your loved one’s final resting place. They offer hope and recall the promise of new life.
Safely Home
by Anonymous
Source: https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/safely-home
I am home in heaven, dear ones;
All’s so happy, all so bright!
There’s perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief are over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the Valley of the Shade?
Oh! but Jesus’ love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
On that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus’ arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust our Father’s will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idle stand;
Do your work while life remaineth —
You shall rest in Jesus’ land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home;
Oh, the rapture of the meeting!
Oh, the joy to see you come!
May You Always Walk in Sunshine
By Anonymous
Source: https://www.funeralprints.com/blog/1/funeral-poems-memorial-prayers#sunshine
May you always walk in sunshine and
God’s love around you flow,
for the happiness you gave us,
no one will ever know,
it broke our hearts to lose you,
but you did not go alone,
a part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.
A million times we’ve needed you.
A million times we’ve cried.
If love could only have saved you.
You never would have died.
The Lord be with you
And may you rest in peace. Amen.
God Be in My Head
Attributed to Old Sarum Primer
Source: https://acollectionofprayers.com/2016/06/22/god-be-in-my-head/
God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in my eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at my end, and at my departing.
Poems about Loss
We’ve collected several meaningful poems that reflect on love and loss.
Poem of Life
By Anonymous
Source: https://www.creative-funeral-ideas.com/life-poem.html
Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road, to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay…
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey’s quicker,
For some the journey’s slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord
Afterglow
By Helen Lowrie Marshall
Source: https://www.memorialstationery.com.au/funeral-wordings-popular-prayers.html
I’d like the memory of me
to be a happy one,
I’d like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun of happy memories
that I leave behind when day is done.
Who Has Seen the Wind?
Christina Rosetti
Source: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43197/who-has-seen-the-wind
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
Bible Verses about Heaven
These Bible verses about heaven offer the comfort of a future reunion with those we love.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)
But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him.”
John 14:3-4 (ESV)
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.
Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Visiting Memorial Trees
Although our property is closed to the public throughout the year, our visitors enjoy the chance to visit and reflect during our “Days of Celebration.” These visits often become a family tradition and a chance to process their loss together.
If you are looking for a spot to put your loved one’s ashes to rest, you can plant a memory tree. Our beautiful mountaintop property overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains and portions of the James River. These memorial trees celebrate the unique lives of people who have passed. You can select this service through our website. Then, we’ll call to discuss the type of tree you’d like to plant.
After you confirm your selection, we ship you a special package with the appropriate containers. You can place it in the mail through your local post office. If you prefer, for an additional fee, we offer a personal pickup service.
Upon receiving your loved one’s ashes, we scatter them reverently during the planting process. We also place an engraved memorial stone at the base of the tree. Finally, we send you a Certificate of Release. This keepsake notes the date and location of the scattering.
We’re here to provide comfort and relief to you during your time of loss. If you are interested in planting a memorial tree, please get in touch with us by calling 434-534-4007 or emailing us at info@restashured.com.