New York Marble Cemetery

Ceremony Of Blessing

The Reverend Charles Robertson
LVO Minister-Emeritus of Canongate Kirk (The Kirk of Holyroodhouse)
Edinburgh, Scotland

It is believed that interdenominational concerns may have prevented the Cemetery from ever being consecrated. When Reverend Charles Robertson came from Edinburgh, Scotland for the marriage of his daughter, Margaret, to Kevin Cancienne in the Cemetery on 27 May 2012, he felt that a blessing was in order. The entire Cemetery family is grateful to him for his thoughtfulness and eloquence.

Ceremony Of Blessing
at
New York Marble Cemetery

26th May, 2012 – 10am

Over the past 180 years,
these old marble walls
have witnessed the burials
of more than 2,000 people.
This is a lovely and much loved place,
with its flowers, butterflies, bushes, trees, and lawns.
As a place of repose for the dead
and of refreshment for the living,
it stands as an urban oasis,
a secret garden in the heart of this busy city.
What was sown as perishable in this place,
will be raised imperishable;
what was sown in humiliation
will be raised in glory;
what was sown in weakness,
will be raised in power

PRAYER

Let us pray.

Eternal Lord, our heavenly Father,
you are the God not of the dead but of the living.
We ask your blessing on this resting place,
which guards our beloved dead,
both those who long have lain here
and those who in the days to come will be brought here
to rest in peace.
May it always be held in honour,
respected with reverence, and cared for with love.

Grant that those who have fallen asleep
may wake to your love,
and that the gates of this place may be for them
the gates of eternal life.

Comfort those who will come here in sorrow for their loved ones.
Wipe all tears from their eyes,
and fill them with your peace.

Bless, we pray, the work of those who labour
to make and keep this place a place of peace and love and joy:
the stone-masons who give new life to its crumbling walls;
the gardeners who nurture the earth and fill it with gladness and beauty;
the trustees whose care and faithful service
make this place a continuing delight.

Assure us all that the souls of loved ones
who lie here buried in peace,
are safe with you for ever.

BENEDICTION

And now, the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you.

And may the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen