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Death is Nothing at All
The message of comfort contained in this little book is one of the most inspired statements of hope and belief ever written. Millions of bereaved people over the years have drawn from it serenity, acceptance and the ability to face life after the death of a loved one, and for those wishing to convey sympathy but unable to find the right words, it says it all.
A consoling book offering a balance between keeping faith while remembering the bereaved as they were in life, Death is Nothing At All is a perfect giftbook for anyone who has recently lost a loved one, whether they are religious or not.
One of the world's most famous poems, and a message of comfort that has inspired millions to face life after the death of a loved one, an inspired message of hope and belief. Perfectly complemented by line drawings by Paul Saunders which enhance the serenity and acceptance of the poem.
A consoling book offering a balance between keeping faith while remembering the bereaved as they were in life, Death is Nothing At All is a perfect giftbook for anyone who has recently lost a loved one, whether they are religious or not.
One of the world's most famous poems, and a message of comfort that has inspired millions to face life after the death of a loved one, an inspired message of hope and belief. Perfectly complemented by line drawings by Paul Saunders which enhance the serenity and acceptance of the poem.
- GenresPoetry
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2012
17 people are currently reading
612 people want to read
About the author
Henry Scott Holland
107 books26 followersHenry Scott Holland was born at Ledbury, Herefordshire, on 27th January, 1847. Henry's father, George Holland, was extremely wealthy and could afford to send his son to Eton. Henry was not an outstanding student and he initially failed his entrance exam at Oxford University. He tried again in 1866 and this time he was successful.
Holland struggled academically until he came under the influence of Thomas Hill Green, the senior tutor in philosophy at Balliol. Holland was inspired by Green's ideas on religion and social reform and he eventually obtained a "First in Greats", one of the highest academic honours at Oxford.
Impressed by his academic achievements, Holland was offered the post of lecturer in philosophy at Christ Church College. As well as teaching Holland found time to publish several books and articles including The Duties of the Parochial Clergy Toward Some Forms of Modern Thought (1873). Holland also began visiting industrial slums in Britain. He was deeply shocked by what he discovered and began to argue for Mission Houses to be built that would serve as a point of contact between the "academic community and the deprived classes".
In 1884 Holland left Oxford University and became a canon at St. Paul's Cathedral. Holland's experience of social problems in London convinced him that the Church of England needed to change. In his controversial book Lux Mundi (1889) Holland argued that Christianity was to be experienced, not contemplated. He suggested that the Church needed to reject the "old truths" and to "enter into an understanding of the new social and intellectual movements of the present". Holland pointed out that the "streets of London reek with human misery" and the Church could no longer afford to ignore this suffering. Holland advocated radical reform, or what he called, the "Christianization of the social structure whereby all men live in accordance with the principles of divine justice and human brotherhood".
Henry Scott Holland formed a group called PESEK (Politics, Economics, Socialism, Ethics and Christianity). Members of the group investigated social problems and came to the conclusion that the plight of the urban poor was due to the way capitalists "exploited the working classes". In one report Holland declared that "Powerless! that is what the workers bitterly experience. They have been enfranchised only to find themselves powerless to determine how they will live their own lives."
In Holland's opinion modern capitalist companies had no conscience and were therefore acting immorally. According to Holland, capital and labour should be cooperating forces, sharing a common objective, but the system had turned them into unequal rivals. Holland's solution to the problem was state regulation. Only the state was powerful enough to "evoke, to direct, to supervise, to empower, and to regulate the actions" of capital and labour. The role of the Anglican Church declared Holland should be to convince society that "duty to God and duty to man are the same thing."
In 1889 Holland formed the Christian Social Union (CSU) to provide direction to this new social gospel. The stated purpose of the CSU was to "investigate areas in which moral truth and Christian principles could bring relief to the social and economic disorder of society". Local chapters of the CSU were established throughout Britain.
The Christian Social Union also published a journal, Commonwealth, that provided a forum for discussions on religion and social reform. The journal and upset the leaders of the Liberal Party in 1897 when he claimed that the party had failed to protect labour from capitalism. The Commonwealth suggested that wealthy Liberals who showed no sympathy for the poor should be ousted from the party.
The Commonwealth also carried out an investigation into the injustices of bad housing, pollution and low wages. It also campaigned strongly against the Poor Law that forced people into the workhouse. The Chr
Holland struggled academically until he came under the influence of Thomas Hill Green, the senior tutor in philosophy at Balliol. Holland was inspired by Green's ideas on religion and social reform and he eventually obtained a "First in Greats", one of the highest academic honours at Oxford.
Impressed by his academic achievements, Holland was offered the post of lecturer in philosophy at Christ Church College. As well as teaching Holland found time to publish several books and articles including The Duties of the Parochial Clergy Toward Some Forms of Modern Thought (1873). Holland also began visiting industrial slums in Britain. He was deeply shocked by what he discovered and began to argue for Mission Houses to be built that would serve as a point of contact between the "academic community and the deprived classes".
In 1884 Holland left Oxford University and became a canon at St. Paul's Cathedral. Holland's experience of social problems in London convinced him that the Church of England needed to change. In his controversial book Lux Mundi (1889) Holland argued that Christianity was to be experienced, not contemplated. He suggested that the Church needed to reject the "old truths" and to "enter into an understanding of the new social and intellectual movements of the present". Holland pointed out that the "streets of London reek with human misery" and the Church could no longer afford to ignore this suffering. Holland advocated radical reform, or what he called, the "Christianization of the social structure whereby all men live in accordance with the principles of divine justice and human brotherhood".
Henry Scott Holland formed a group called PESEK (Politics, Economics, Socialism, Ethics and Christianity). Members of the group investigated social problems and came to the conclusion that the plight of the urban poor was due to the way capitalists "exploited the working classes". In one report Holland declared that "Powerless! that is what the workers bitterly experience. They have been enfranchised only to find themselves powerless to determine how they will live their own lives."
In Holland's opinion modern capitalist companies had no conscience and were therefore acting immorally. According to Holland, capital and labour should be cooperating forces, sharing a common objective, but the system had turned them into unequal rivals. Holland's solution to the problem was state regulation. Only the state was powerful enough to "evoke, to direct, to supervise, to empower, and to regulate the actions" of capital and labour. The role of the Anglican Church declared Holland should be to convince society that "duty to God and duty to man are the same thing."
In 1889 Holland formed the Christian Social Union (CSU) to provide direction to this new social gospel. The stated purpose of the CSU was to "investigate areas in which moral truth and Christian principles could bring relief to the social and economic disorder of society". Local chapters of the CSU were established throughout Britain.
The Christian Social Union also published a journal, Commonwealth, that provided a forum for discussions on religion and social reform. The journal and upset the leaders of the Liberal Party in 1897 when he claimed that the party had failed to protect labour from capitalism. The Commonwealth suggested that wealthy Liberals who showed no sympathy for the poor should be ousted from the party.
The Commonwealth also carried out an investigation into the injustices of bad housing, pollution and low wages. It also campaigned strongly against the Poor Law that forced people into the workhouse. The Chr
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 5, 2016
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I,and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by myoid familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let it be spoken without effect, without a trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should Ibe out of mind because Iam out of sight? Iam but waiting for you for an interval. Somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.
July 31, 2020
Comforting words for the grieving.
Even after 13 months, it still feels like a few minutes ago only have gone by since my darling passed away and left me broken and raw. These words bring solace and hope where none could be found. This book can give those helpful emotions, perhaps even conquer despair and give a glimpse of an acceptable future.
Even after 13 months, it still feels like a few minutes ago only have gone by since my darling passed away and left me broken and raw. These words bring solace and hope where none could be found. This book can give those helpful emotions, perhaps even conquer despair and give a glimpse of an acceptable future.
August 16, 2013
It doesn't compare to some other poems/songs i've read on death but it's a great poem.
May 21, 2020
Death Is Nothing
I needed this now more than ever. And I need to read it often until it becomes part of me.
I needed this now more than ever. And I need to read it often until it becomes part of me.
March 16, 2021
A good reminder that even though they’re gone, your memories aren’t. “Let thy name be the household name it ever was.” Just because they’re gone doesn’t mean that they’re gone.
October 19, 2025
A beautiful short poem, accompanied by illustrations, which was published almost an hundred years after the author's death. It is a mixture between a prayer, and a reminder, that death really means nothing at all. You still have their memories, perhaps their items.
"Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?"
"Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?"
February 6, 2022
“How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!”
August 18, 2024
I miss you Wifaq 😢❤️
January 4, 2024
This book came to me at the right time
So, one day, I happened to find this book free on kindle. I grabbed it, but thinking I wouldn't like it. But, with the death of my father, it warmed my heart. Totally recommend for anyone with a loss.
So, one day, I happened to find this book free on kindle. I grabbed it, but thinking I wouldn't like it. But, with the death of my father, it warmed my heart. Totally recommend for anyone with a loss.
March 23, 2019
Beautiful
In his one and a half pages, this tiny book is more beautiful and perfect than just a few are.
In his one and a half pages, this tiny book is more beautiful and perfect than just a few are.
April 6, 2023
Perfect
I have loved this writing on death dice 2011 when my mother died. I now love this illustrated version. So perfect, so comforting.
I have loved this writing on death dice 2011 when my mother died. I now love this illustrated version. So perfect, so comforting.
July 20, 2024
“Death is Nothing” by Henry Holland
Transition rather than loss.
....
Death is Nothing At All, Henry Scott Holland
“I have only slipped away ..” Well known prose. – a funeral poem ***
Transition rather than loss.
....
Death is Nothing At All, Henry Scott Holland
“I have only slipped away ..” Well known prose. – a funeral poem ***
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews