Funeral Reading

[Eve]

Hoping some of you can help me as I need some inspiration!

I recently lost my nan and it's her funeral on Friday. I want to do a reading and am trying to find something just right.

My nan was a fluent Welsh speaker and I'm the only one in the immediate family who has ever really learnt any. I'm very rusty though, only ever spoke a bit and it's been nearly 10 years since I lived in Wales and spoke any.

I had a few lessons and picked up a lot doing conferences (would do the address in Welsh) and with working locally, I learnt enough to speak to customers and used to play for a local pub darts league where I was the only non fluent welsh speaker in my team, probably the league. Pretty basic stuff though speaking wise although I could understand more.

I'm sure I could read out a nice Welsh hymn or verse aloud, even something in English I can have a friend help me translate, just want to make sure I find something right and say it right! The idea is, I read it in Welsh and my cousin in English. I'd hate to make mistakes and end up saying something wrong, I'd feel it was a cop out to not try and I know it would mean a lot to her to have me do it in Welsh.

Any help greatly appreciated!

[askyourgran]

Jenna there are some lovely Welsh hymns, I think the Welsh are the best people for singing these verse, what a lovely thought. Have a look at some of these:

http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/16197.htm

[mike11111]

This is very popular, but you would need a fluent Welsh speaker to translate. As a Sais my commanad of the language isn't up to the job.

http://www.funeralhel...ying-victor-hugo.html

[Eve]

There are ayg, just beautiful and some lovely ones there :) I have to say I do love hearing the Welsh sing, I am incredibly proud of my Welsh roots (my mum and her family are also all Welsh, just not Welsh speaking), the signing sends shivers down my spine.

We have some lovely choices including the Welsh male voice choir and Katherine Jenkins for music as she loved them and Thy Great Redeemer as one hymn.

Some lovely ones on that link, thank you.

[sara3]

Jenna, I can't help but I'm sorry to hear about your nan xx

[Eve]

Thank you sis xxx

Mike, that's lovely! I'd be worried with that one as before she died she had wasted away to almost nothing, wouldn't eat and it upset me thinking reading it so would maybe be the same at the funeral as it was a very upsetting point for people. Such a shame as it's lovely! Thank you so much for posting it x

[mike11111]

So sorry to have caused unintentional distress, not knowing the circumstances. Without the offending line;"her diminished &c..." it might still read well.

[Eve]

No, no, not at all, you don't know the circumstances so no distress caused in the slightest. I was in two minds posted as it's difficult without people knowing and don't want to end up doing a Molly!

It was a lovely idea :)

[mike11111]

These might give you some inspiration, though they will need translating i'r Gymraeg.
http://www.funeralhel...funeral-readings.html

[Eve]

Diolch yn fawr iawn x

[mike11111]

Dim problem. Hapus ydw i i'ch helpu chi.

[ann_h]

HIRAETH by William Williams (Pantycelyn)

This is a good one as the word Hiraeth is very emotive - it covers Welshness, homesickness, grief, longing and belonging, and going home in the literal and also final sense of the word.

It is also fabulous to read out loud because of the assonance and flow of the sounds not just the meaning.


Dwedwch fawrion o wybodaeth
O ba beth a gwnaethpwyd hiraeth
A pha ddefnydd a roedd ynddo
Na ddarfyddo wrth ei wisgo ?
Derfydd aur a derfydd arian
Derfydd melfed derfydd sidan
Derfydd pob dilledyn helaeth
Eto er hyn ni dderfydd hiraeth
Hiraeth mawr a hiraeth creulon
Hiraeth sydd yn torri ‘nghalon
Pan fwyf dryma’r nos yn cysgu
Fe ddaw hiraeth ac a’m deffry
(Hiraeth hiraeth cilia cilia
Paid a phwyso mor drwm arna’
Nesa dipyn at y erchwyn
Gad i mi gael cysgu gronyn)

Tell me oh wise ones
Of what stuff is longing made?
And what substance is put into it
That it never fades from being worn
Gold fades and silver fades
Velvet fades silk fades
Every sort of clothing fades
And yet longing does not fade
Great Longing cruel longing
Hiraeth tears at my heart
When I’m sleeping deeply at night
Hiraeth comes and wakes me
(Hiraeth hiraeth away away
Don’t weigh so heavily on me
Go a little nearer to the edge
Let me have a little bit of sleep)

[masma]

Not Welsh but lovely words and sentiments. So sorry for your lose xx

You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all that she’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

[masma]

I do apologise for my spelling - I'm so sorry for your loss xx