The Lord of life and death

We give them back to you, O God,
those whom you gave to us.
You did not lose them when you gave them to us,
and we do not lose them by their return to you.
Your Son has taught us that life is eternal and love cannot die.
So death is only a horizon, and a horizon is only the limit of our sight.
Open our eyes to see more clearly,
and draw us closer to you,
so that we may know we are nearer to our loved ones,
who are with you.
You have told us that you are preparing a place for us:
prepare us, that where you are we may be always,
O dear Lord of life and death.

William Penn (1644–1718)
– English Quaker and the founder of the colony of Pennsylvania.