As more & more secular funerals are taking place there is a need for appropriate texts. The Poet Laureate spoke recently of the importance of epitaphs for people: poems or songs which commemorate their lives. Actress Julia Watson married to the poet David Harsent was confronted with the issue when her father died & the result is this inspiring collection of 70 poems & prose extracts suitable for reading at funerals & celebrations of a life. The selections range from Shakespeare to Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee Nation from Christina Rossetti to St Francis of Assissi & included are some very short pieces which could be printed on an order of service.