A Toast to the Immortal Memory

The Toast to the Immortal Memory is a longstanding traditional toast both for Scotland's National Poet Robert Burns and Britain's Naval War Hero Lord Admiral Nelson. Toasting the Immortal Memory is actually a very appropriate and inspiring way of remembering someone who has died.

Both of these men have been remembered by those who gather to toast their Immortal Memory since their deaths--now over 200 years. Burns died in 1796 and Admiral Nelson in 1805.

Variations on the Immortal Memory Toast

There appear to be different variations on the Immortal Memory toast - one ultra short, one shorter and the third version one much longer.

The Ultra Short Version - Lord Admiral Nelson
A simple toast, the current one used:

The Immortal Memory

The Shorter Version - Lord Admiral Nelson
A slightly longer, but still simple toast, one of the earlier ones:

The immortal memory of Nelson and those who fell with him.

In addition, the Immortal Memory Toast for Admiral Nelson is drunk in total silence, out of respect to the memory of the Admiral.

The Long Version - Robert Burns
According to tradition, the Immortal Memory address at the Burns Supper tends to be quite lengthy. The focus of the speech is a formal tribute to the life and art of Robert Burns that frequently includes biographical information or a specific aspect of the Bard's work. It is usually delivered by a special speaker.

As mentioned on one of the Burns Supper sites:

This speech should be long-winded enough to remind the guests that this isn't the office Christmas party, yet not so long as to induce cramping, dry-mouth, or ringing in the ears (about 25 minutes).

Propose Your Own Immortal Memory Toast

Drinking a toast to the Immortal Memory of a loved one seems a very fitting and inspired way to remember that person's life. Just think that Lord Admiral Nelson and Robert Burns have both been remembered for over 200 years of Immortal Toasts.

While most people probably won't want to sit and listen to a 20 - 30 minute toast (Remember that Eulogies are recommended to be 5 - 5 minutes), I think the simple traditional toast for Lord Admiral is a good way of toasting someone's memory:

To the Immortal Memory of....

Drinking the drink in total silence, out of respect to the memory of the person who is being remembered and honored.

Continuing to Remember the Dead

While not toasts, some of my favorite quotes help to convey the knowledge that our loved one's do not die, they continue to live on in our hearts, leaving indelible imprints, because they have become a part of us.

Drinking a toast to the Immortal Memory of a loved one, friend or colleague who has died is a way of ensuring Thomas Campbell's quote comes to pass.

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.

Leaving Indelible Imprints
I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.
They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.
Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.
We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.
Leo Buscaglia

Never Lose a Deep Love
What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.
All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.
Helen Keller

More on Lord Admiral Nelson and Robert Burns

• A Toast to the Immortal Memory of Lord Admiral Nelson
• A Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns

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Sources:
National Maritime Museum. The Immortal Memory. Vice-Admiral Horatio, Lord Nelson. 2005. 5 December 2006. <http://www.seabritain2005.com/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.360>
Royal Naval Museum. Information Sheet NO. 109. Trafalgar Night Dinners. 2002. 5 December 2006. <http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/info_sheet_trafnight.htm>
Government News Network. The Loyal Toast Live from HMS Victory on Trafalgar Night. 19 October 2005. 5 December 2006. http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/detail.asp?ReleaseID=174140&NewsAreaID=2
Fischer B. Burns Supper Itinerary. Robert Burns Country: The Official Robert Burns Site. 2003. 5 December 2006. <http://www.robertburns.org/suppers/itinerary.shtml>
Alexandria Burns Club. Burns Supper at Alexandria Burns Club. 2004. 5 December 2006. <http://www.robertburns.org.uk/burns_supper.htm>