Death is Nothing At All
by Canon Henry Scott Holland

Death is nothing at all 
I have only slipped away into the next room. 
I am I and you are you; 
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. 
Call me by my old familar name, 
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. 
Put no difference in your tone, 
wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. 
Laugh as we always laughed 
At the little jokes we enjoy together. 
Pray smile, think of me, pray for me. 
Let my name be ever the household word it always was, 
Let it be spoken without effect 
Without the trace of a shadow upon it. 
Life means all that it ever was, 
There is an unbroken continuity. 
What is death but a negligible accident? 
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? 
I am waiting for you for an interval, somewhere very near, 
Just around the corner. 

All is well. 

Henry Scott Holland. 1847-1918 Canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral.    

One of Graham’s most admirable qualities was his ability to connect with people.  Graham had the unique gift to befriend all sorts of people on many different levels.  Graham was close to each one of us here and this, of course, is why we are all here today.  Graham’s living legacy to us is the friendships he forged.  Those of us who learned the news of Graham’s death have begun connecting the relationships to one another by email, by web site, by phone and now  here in church.  It is indeed bittersweet to meet the many people who have always  known each other only through Graham’s stories – and gross exaggerations.  

All of us who knew Graham, know of his love for music.  One of the fondest memories I have is of a violin solo that Graham gave after a fabulous dinner we made (he made) for friends. I remember thinking that it was one of the most civilized, beautiful moments of my life.  And, of course, many of us know the flip side – being dragged to the opera and then hearing the ensuing musical critique.  Graham was nothing if not a perfectionist.

At the request of his family and in tribute to his gift and love for music, a scholarship fund is being  established in memory of Graham.  This fund will permit a violin student in Graham’s hometown to attend The Royal College of Music in London, where Graham once studied.  Please refer to your program for information.  

I’d like to recognize Graham’s family, Pauline and Charles Berkeley, and his brothers Chris and  Roger.  I know you know what a special man we all consider Graham to be.  To his many friends here, life goes on and so does our continuing love for our friend.