Eternal Memory

I'll be taking the kids to a graveside service of a homeschooling dad of three children in a few hours. We know his kids and their mother but not him. Although he, suffering from cancer, had been cared for at home for the past year by sisters whose ministry is to perform home health care, they are not a religious family. There will be no church service. We have never been close to death where God and heaven and the 'last things' weren't the focus of discussion and comfort. So, there's not much to say...but personally, I find a lot of comfort and hope in the following words:

Thou only Creator Who with wisdom profound mercifully orders all things, and gives to all that which is useful, give rest, 0 Lord, to the soul of Thy servant who has fallen asleep, for he has placed his trust in Thee, our Maker and Fashioner and our God (Troparion).

With the saints give rest, 0 Christ, to the soul of Thy servant where sickness and sorrow are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting (Kontakion).

What earthly sweetness remains unmixed with grief? What glory stands immutable on the earth? All things are but feeble shadows, all things are most deluding dreams, yet one moment only, and death shall supplant them all. But in the light of Thy countenance, 0 Christ, and in the sweetness of Thy beauty, give rest to him whom Thou hast chosen, for as much as Thou loves mankind.

I weep and lament when I think upon death, and behold our beauty created in the likeness of God lying in the tomb disfigured, bereft of glory and form. 0 the marvel of it! What is this mystery concerning us? Why have we been delivered to corruption? Why have we been wedded unto death? Truly, as it is written, by the command of God Who gives the departed rest (Funeral Hymns from St John of Damascus)