Let us spend time with a Friend whose spouse, near relation, or friend has died: praying, talking, and planning meals together, taking care of children, arranging finances, and otherwise being of comfort. In order to prepare ourselves for death, our own and that of others, it may be well for meetings to discuss its religious and practical aspects. The local memorial society is often a resource in this connection.

We have a history of celebrating a Friend's life in a memorial meeting. It is a valuable and comforting custom to gather to remember and honor loved ones who have died. Our sympathy and affection for Friends who are in sorrow is expressed in quiet, dignified procedure, adhering to simplicity and avoiding excessive expense. The overseers, or ministry and counsel, help Friends to arrange a meeting in which attention is focused, not upon a lifeless form, but on a living spirit and radiant faith. The section, Memorial Meetings and Funerals, in the Practice and Procedure part of this book describes these meetings. The family might wish certain friends to take part in a memorial meeting or request short readings and music. Attenders are free to give brief messages. A loved one has left; we rejoice that this Friend has been with us.

WITNESS

The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

-- Mark 12.29-31 (KJV)

We participate through God in a unity that we did not create and cannot annul. To the question, "But who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied with the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10). Jesus welcomed into his kingdom those who could see in the

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