Benediction*
(listen)
May the Lord go before you to guide you,
Beside you to guard you,
Above you to bless you,
Beneath you to uphold you,
And behind you to forgive you,
Now and always.
Amen.
*This benediction is often said at the end of the Sunday service by a dear friend of mine, the Rev. Renee Garrett, at the All Souls Church in Bangor, Maine.
Here is an adaptation for the passing, a final benediction:
(listen)
The Lord went before you and guided you.
The Lord was beside you and guarded you.
The Lord stayed above you and blessed you.
The Lord was beneath you and upheld you.
And the Lord was always behind you and forgave.
Then, now and forever.
Amen