papers claims The King is ready to come out of hiding!" It is difficult to explain how the British tabloids are different: first you have to get across the notion of a national press (America has none). Eyebrows went up: money is a universal language.But there were other aspects of the story that were foreign too. Amen.All remain standing as the Cortege leaves the church, during which the Choir sings:ALLELUIA. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.Remember me O Lord, when you come into your kingdom.Give rest O Lord to your handmaid, who has fallen asleep.The choir of saints have found the well-spring of life, and door of paradise.Life: a shadow and a dreamWeeping at the grave creates the song:Alleluia. Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you.extracts from William Shakespeare: Hamletand the Orthodox Funeral ServiceJohn Tavener (b 1944)At the west end of the church the Cortege halts for the minute's silence, observed by the Nation.The half-muffled bells of the Abbey church are rang.All remain standing as the Processions move to the west end of the church.Music after the service:Prelude in C minor, BWV546Johann Sebastian BachMaestoso, from Symphonie no.
Amen.All stand to singTHE HYMNGUIDE me, O thou great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land;I am weak, but thou art mighty;hold me with thy powerful hand:bread of heaven,feed me now and evermore.Open now the crystal fountainwhence the healing stream doth flow;let the fiery cloudy pillarlead me all my journey through:strong deliverer,be thou still my strength and shield.When I tread the verge of Jordan,bid my anxious fears subside;death of death, and hell's destruction,land me safe on Canaan's side:songs and praises,I will ever give to thee.W Williams (1717-91)translated by P Williams (1727-96), and othersCwm Rhondda John Hughes (1873-1932)Standing before the Catafalque the Dean saysTHE COMMENDATIONLet us commend our sister Diana to the mercy of God, our Maker and Redeemer.DIANA, our companion in faith and sister in Christ, we entrust you to God.Go forth from this world in the love of the Father, who created you;In the mercy of Jesus Christ, who died for you;In the power of the Holy Spirit, who strengthens you.At one with all the faithful, living and departed,may you rest in peace and rise in glory,where grief and misery are banishedand light and joy evermore abide. Amen.The Archbishop saysTHE BLESSINGTHE God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep make you perfect in every good work to do his will: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you and all whom you love, this day and for evermore. I would be pure, for there are those that care.I would be strong, for there is much to suffer.I would be brave, for there is much to dare.I would be friend of all, the foe, the friendless.I would be giving, and forget the gift.I would be humble, for I know my weakness.I would look up, laugh, love and live.Howard Arnold WalterAir from County Derry in G Petrie: The Ancient Music of Ireland (1853)The Archbishop continues:THEREFORE, confident in the love and mercy of God, holding a living faith in God's mighty resurrection power, we, the congregation here, those in the streets outside and the millions around theworld, join one another and the hosts of heaven, as we say together, in whatever language we may choose, the prayer which Jesus taught us:OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.Thy kingdom come,thy will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:For thine is the kingdom, the power,and the glory, for ever and ever. The Choristers sing:I WOULD be true, for there are those that trust me. Grant us, O Lord, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may bring us to your eternal kingdom.Lord of the compassionate: hear our prayer.All remain seated.
Give us a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag down; an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Strengthen the resolve of those who work for them to continue the good work begun with her.Lord of the suffering: hear our prayer.For ourselves`And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.' As we reflect on the Princess's compassion for others, we pray that we too may be inspired to serve as she served.LORD, we thank you for Diana's commitment to others Give us the same compassion and commitment. We thank you for the way that Diana became a beacon of hope and a source of strength for so many We commend to you all those charities that she supported. We recall those precious images: the affectionate cuddle of children in hospital; that touch of the young man dying of AIDS; her compassion for those maimed through the evil of land mines - and many more.LORD, we pray for all who are weak, poor and powerless in this country and throughout the world; the sick, among them Trevor Rees-Jones; the maimed and all whose lives are damaged. Give them comfort; renew their faith and strengthen them in the weeks and months ahead.Lord of the broken-hearted: hear our prayer.For the Princess's life and workThe Princess will be especially missed by the many charities with which she identified herself.
We remember too her friend, Dodi al-Fayed and his family; Henri Paul, and all for whom today's service rekindles memories of grief untimely borne.LORD, in certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, we commend to you all who have lost loved ones in tragic circumstances. Enrich them with your grace, that we may be governed with wisdom and godliness: so that in love for you and service to each other we may each bring our gifts to serve the common good.Lord of the nations: hear our prayer.For all who mournDiana was not alone in losing her young life tragically. Casting their cares on you, may they know the gentleness of your presence and the consolation of your love.Lord of the bereaved: hear our prayer.For the Royal FamilyWe pray for the Members of the Royal Family, for wisdom and discernment as they discharge their responsibilities in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world.LORD, we commend to you Elizabeth our Queen, the Members of the Royal Family and all who exercise power and authority in our nation. Have compassion on those for whom this parting brings particular pain and the deepest sense of loss. We give thanks for those qualities and strengths that endeared her to us; for her vulnerability; for her radiant and vibrant personality; for her ability to communicate warmth and compassion; for her ringing laugh; and above all for her readiness to identify with those less fortunate in our nation and the world.Lord of the loving: hear our prayer.For her familyWe pray for those most closely affected by her death: for Prince William and Prince Harry who mourn the passing of their dearly loved mother; for her family, especially for her mother, her brother and her sisters.LORD, we thank you for the precious gift of family life, for all human relationships and for the strength we draw from one another.
