Great Occasions: Readings for the Celebration of Birth, Coming-Of-Age, Marriage, and Death

by Carl Seaburg

Birth, maturity, marriage and death: These are the four cornerstones of human life, the great occasions. *Over 650 memorable selections to commemorate the milestones of life. *Poetry and prose from a broad spectrum of highly regarded writers, including Aiken, Pound, Dickinson, Seneca, Blake, Buddha, Bronte, Marcuse, Stevens, Sexton, Tagore, Lippman, Sandburg, Sarton, Pasternak, Lao Tzu, Yevtushenko, Yeats and many more. This treasury of words pays tribute to the watershed events of life. Prose and poetry selections are sorted by the occasion they honor--birth, coming-of-age, marriage and death. Originally designed for ministers by a beloved New England pastor who spent years officiating at such occasions, this useful reference will be valued by anyone who is called upon to officiate, speak or contribute to ceremonies that commemorate the great passages of life. Includes index of authors, first lines and subjects, plus services for adoption, divorce and memorials.

Genres: Nonfiction, Poetry

462 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Carl Gerrard Seaburg was a minister, scholar, writer, editor and long-time member of the staff of the Unitarian Universalist Association. He is best known in church circles as a hymn writer and as an editor and anthologist of liturgical materials.

Reviews

[Jenni Pertuset · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the death section and scanned the others. It was recommended in Remembering Well, and I got so much of value from that book that I expected to do likewise from any book the author recommended. Not so much. There were few of what struck me as moving, touching, or fitting readings.

[Jim Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundational to Unitarian Universalist / Humanist ritual such as a memorial service.