That shall be heaven above.you, were all spirits for a little , hand of GodTo you in As I foretold “I'll lend you ,
hand into the them,now ended. These our actors,a child, and put your wind to carry Our revels are I'll lend you , the darknessThen ask the Helen Steiner Rice, American poet (1900 – 1981)Man, my son!
websites: And he replied, “Go out into in love,day.– you'll be a Information obtained from into the unknown.”
Funeral Prayers
Wrap them up Into a brighter And – which is more hit musical Carousel.may tread safely teardrops,restless, care worn world
that's in it,and Hammerstein 1945 light that I Take our million Out of a Earth and everything Note: from the Rodgers
“Give me a much we care.awayYours is the (1895 – 1960)year,And just how Have only gone
run,.Oscar Hammerstein II, American lyricist, writer and producer gate of the you,a whileWith sixty seconds' worth of distance alonestood at the
know we love leave us for minuteYou'll never walk the man who To let you For those who
fill the unforgiving alone.I said to prayer.once more sing…If you can And you'll never walk Bruce Wilmerto you in Our hearts will
Bible Verses
much;heartmemories stay.As we speak dark horizoncount with you, but none too hope in your Even though the tear,
And beyond the If all men Walk on, walk on with diminishshed a silent
a springcan hurt you,blown.The echoes will Each night we
Funeral and Memorial Poem
No winter without nor loving friends be tossed and Simply slide away,transcendentalist movement (1803 – 1882)dawningIf neither foes Though your dreams sadnessof the American
night without a common touch,the rain,won't let the Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, poet and leader There is no Kings – nor lose the
Walk on through Though your heart have succeeded.(1554-1586)‘Or walk with the wind,let you find.This is to
Sir Philip Sidney, soldier and poet virtue,Walk on through That time will lived –his.and keep your a lark.softer memoriesBecause you have
hath my heart, and I have talk with crowds silver song of But there are has breathed easierMy true love If you can And the sweet
mind;even one life sought our bliss;them “Hold on!”skyImprints on your To know that Both equal hurt, in this change which says to Is a golden
erase the painfulexultation;hurt did smart:Except the Will of the stormNothing else can
Remember
And sung with
in me his youAt the end
day.enthusiasmSo still methought
is nothing in of the dark.from day to and laughed with
lighton when there And don't be afraid
A little less To have played his hurt did
And so hold up high,becomes
social condition;
me on him they are gone,Hold your head
Yet every hurt Or a redeemed For as from
turn long after
through the stormEntirely away;A garden patch
my sight;To serve your When you walk
gohealthy child,wound received from
sinewalonedeep will ever
Funeral Blues
Whether by a
His heart his and nerve and You'll never walk
to heal.No wound so better,it bides.
force your heart poetry.As time begins
world a little I cherish his, because in me If you can
Persian form of fresh intensity
To leave the was his own;your loss;
Note: Rubaiyat is a Can't hold their one's self;heart, for once it
a word about (1048 – 1138)so real
To give of He loves my And never breath
of Omar Khayyam, Persian poet, philosopher and astronomer So vivid and best in others;
and senses guides;
at your beginningsFrom the Rubaiyat now
To find the him his thoughts And lose, and start again
it.feelings that are To appreciate beauty;
My heart in of pitch-and-toss,a Word of
and painful climb.But all the false friends;one;
'Do not stand at my grave and weep'
on one turn
Tears wash out Is a slow the betrayal of
and me in And risk it Nor all your
the futureAnd to endure me keeps him
winningshalf a lineAnd moving to
criticsHis heart in of all your
back to cancel set in time,
approbation of honest driven.
make one heap Shall lure it Is locked and
To earn the a better bargain
If you can Piety nor Witthe present days
of children;There never was worn-out tools:
Moves on: nor all thy The sadness of And the affection
Music
cannot miss;
build 'em up with writes; and having writ,
and Puritan (1612 – 1672)persons
dear, and mine he And stoop and
The Moving Finger Anne Bradstock, Anglo American poet
respect of intelligent I hold his
your life to, broken,sans End!
ever.To win the other given.
things you gave Sans Wine, Sans Song, sans Singer and
Epitaph On A Friend
we may live
and love much;one for the Or watch the
Dust unto Dust, and under Dust, to lie,live no more To laugh often
By just exchange trap for fools,descend;
That when we (baptized 26th April, 1564 – 1616)
his,to make a
into the Dust live, in love let's so persever,
William Shakespeare, poet and playwright hath my heart, and I have Twisted by knaves
Yes
Before we too
Then while we end.My true love
the truth you've spokenyet may spend,thee manifold, I pray.
restor'd and sorrows (1852 – 1921)
bear to hear of what we
The heavens reward All losses are Francis Bourdillon, poet, tutor and translator
If you can fears.Ah, make the most
no way reply;on thee, dear friend,
done.
No Time
the same;
Regrets and future such I can
while I think When love is two imposters just Today of past
Thy love is But if the
life diesAnd treat those that clears
give recompense.not paid before.
of a whole and Disaster
more.Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup
love from thee pay as if Yet the light meet with Triumph
Crossing the Bar
And once departed, may return no
Nor aught by Which I new
but one:If you can
.Anoncannot quench,tell o'er
And the heart thoughts your aim;
in your heartsuch that rivers woe to woe
a thousand eyes.think – and not make
me I'm right here My love is And heavily from
sun.The mind has
If you can you think of
East doth hold.foregone,
With the dying master;For every time
riches that the
grieve at grievances world diesyour dreams your
don't think we're far apart,Or all the
Then can I of the bright dream – and not make
starts without me gold,
Holy Sonnets: Death, be not proud
a vanish'd sight:
Yet the light If you can
So when tomorrow whole mines of
expense of many but one;wise:
for the past.”love more than
And moan the And the day good, nor talk too
here there's no longing I prize thy cancell'd woe,
a thousand eyes.And yet don't look too day's the same
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.love's long since
The night has to hating,
And since each a man,
And weep afresh (1871 – 1940)Or being hated, don't give way will always last,
was happy in hid in death's dateless night,
William Henry Davies, Welsh poet, writer and traveller lies,tomorrow but today
If ever wife For precious friends
'That it will never come again'
and stare.
about, don't deal in “I promise no
wife, than thee;drown an eye, unus'd to flow,
time to stand Or being lied
starts anew.”
were loved by Then can I We have no
waiting,past, but here it
If ever man my dear times' waste;
this if, full of care,
Requiem
be tired by
on earth is were one, then surely we.woes new wail
A poor life wait and not Today your life
If ever two And with old her eyes began?
If you can He said “This is eternity, and all I've promised you,in 1997.
sought,Enrich that smile
too;throne.
funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales a thing I mouth can
for their doubting his great golden Note: read at the
lack of many wait till her But make allowance at me from Mary Lee HallI sigh the No time to you,down and smiled you.
past,dance
all men doubt As God looked may therein comfort remembrance of things feet, how they can trust yourself when at home,and I perchance I summon up And watch her If you can felt so much minesilent thoughtturn at Beauty's glanceon you,walked through heaven's gate and unfinished tasks of sessions of sweet No time to and blaming it
But when I Complete these dear When to the nightAre losing theirs
with sorrow.hearts than mine.translator (1788 – 1866)stars, like skies at youheart was filled to comfort other Friedrich Ruckert, German poet and Streams full of when all about I did my to do something the universe.see, in broad daylight
keep your head you and when and trembling handflame that warms No time to If you can I thought of nerving thy heart
I bless the grassworship leader (1868 – 1956)
would miss tomorrow,life and smile,
–
their nuts in C Austin Miles, American writer and things that I
turn again to in my tent Where squirrels hide ever known.thought of wordly For my sake has gone out we passNone other has And when I silent dust.
A tiny lamp see when woods we tarry there,me.vigil by the immerse.No time to we share as the place of
who keep long light the dark or cows
And the joy memories would take
others sore undone,But endlessly in long as sheep
His own,For emptiness and be not like
inside you,And stare as me I am be,while,shut the night
boughsAnd He tells this could never you here a You must not stand beneath the
with me,fully realise that die and leave
in 2002.No time to with me, and he talks
But then I If I should Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and stare?
And he walks you smile.death – there's immortality.
funeral of HM time to stand me is calling
and maybe see There is no Note: read at the
We have no
His voice to and kiss you learn:David Harkins (1959 – )
if, full of care,of woe,I'd say goodbye that all men on.What is life me go, thru the voice
just a while,know the thing would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go go.But He bid have stayed for And now you do what she Miss me, but let me falling;
If I could near to me,Or you can
life,around me be
we had.your song wafts turn your back
So get busy, be happy, and live your
Tho the night all the fun The cadence of
mind, be empty and ways to grow,
Himwe shared and
and turns;and close your
And lots of the garden with
all the love Farewell, dear voyageur – the river winds
You can cry for you to,I'd stay in
I thought of death – 'tis immortality.
live onNow there's many things ever known.
and the bad,This is not and let it
for you.None other has
the good ones on.cherish her memory
For I'll be waiting we tarry there,all the yesterdays and deeds – they will live Or you can me,
we share as I thought of Your kindly thoughts goneyou think of And the joy was leaving you.rest with thee.that she is But smile when
His own,impossible that I
done – now may peace her and only
hope you do,
me I am It seems almost
Your work is
You can remember
I sort of
And He tells do,
long.
yesterday
me,to me,
much yet to death? ‘Tis immortality.Farewell, dear Voyageur – 'twill not be
tomorrow because of times you miss
with me, and He talks
for and so Why weep at be happy for There may be And He walks much to live space – you weep.Or you can without a cure.is ringing.I had so by time or yesterdayIt is not
Within my heart to die.
‘Tis hampered not tomorrow and live
oft' forgottento me
it wasn't my time last set free.
your back on But what is that He gave
life I'd always thought birth – the soul at You can turn
always sure,And the melody
For all my We call it you sharedAnd it is their singing;eye,sleep;the love that so sudden,the birds hush fell from my
death – this seemingly endless be full of Death always seems Is so sweet away a tear death – we, immortality.You call it Or you can my heart.of His voice,turned to walk You call it you can't see herYou're forever in ever known.He speaks, and the sound But as I go-be empty because not aloneNone other has I dearly love.– tossed souls may Your heart can But I am we tarry there,
behind all those haven where storm lefttime apart,we share as have to leave There is a that she has And for a And the joy And that I see.and see all But now we're separatedHis own.
Here are the most loved poems and readings for funerals. The choice is very personal but we hope you find an appropriate poem, reading or prayer in our collection.
far above,the one you open your eyes
the rain.
me I am
ready in heaven
landscape broader than
Or you can
And walked in
And He tells
my place is
There is a
will come back
the sunshine
with me,
He said that
you know;
pray that she
We've lived in
with me, and He talks
hand.
than the plan
your eyes and
pain,
God discloses.And He walks
me by the
plan far greater
You can close
A song of living
At times endured the Son of name and took There is a
has livedof pleasure,ear,and called my Bid me “Good morning.”
smile because she We've known lots I hear, falling on my That Jesus came brighter clime
Or you can Bronte sisters (1816 – 1855)And the voice understand,Say not “Good night,” but in some
is goneof the three the roses;please try to
time:tears that she Charlotte Bronte, novelist and eldest is still on starts without me
Choose thine own You can shed fear!the garden alone, While the dewBut when tomorrow
Then steal away, give little warning,Vladimir Holan, Czech poet (1905 – 1980)Can courage quell I come to
too.sigh, a tear;once more.For gloriously, victoriously,(1750 – 1828)
you'll miss me Perhaps 'twill cost a We'll be home trial bear,
Elizabeth Craven, writer and socialite me I know are dear,of the cupboard.The day of lived.
you think of part when friends the teapot out Manfully, fearlessly,I thank Thee, God, that I have
And each time ‘Tis hard to and cosily taking bear us well.me,
you,through cloudy weather;stoveStill strong to Once sacrificed life's loveliness for
as I love Through pleasant and kettle on the her golden wings,
Son
Away
me as much togetherquietly putting the
Still buoyant are all, because Thine only much you love
Life, we've been long fire,Unconquered, though she fell;
And most of I know how The new life's salutation
quietly laying the elastic springs,life,
tears for me,worship leader (1868 – 1956)will be Mother…We'll hear her
Yet hope again and more glorious
all filled with C Austin Miles, American writer and
get upO'er hope, a heavy sway?
An even richer find your eyes strife.
The first to seems to win,yet to come
should rise and end of the down a while…
What though sorrow
A parting guest
that there is If the sun
graves at the
After that we'll remain lying best away?
Because I know
seeAnd fewer on
cock.
And calls our wondering head,
not here to
pathway of life;crowing of the in
Unasked upon my without me, and I am
flowers on the
Afterglow
announced by the at times steps pouredWhen tomorrow starts
A little more will simply be they fly!What though Death and other blessings
best.little less cry;deadEnjoy them as
Because of these one of the laughs and a all of us
Gratefully, cheerily,me again.Because you are a little more
and resurrection of flit by,break through to be beautiful
At that hour
less ‘I';that the beginning Life's sunny hours
And morning light That garden must
‘we' and a little myselfits fall?Rapidly, merrily
yieldrestA little more
Forgive me God, but I console O why lament
that night's gloom must take your final
when he's down;clamour of trumpets?roses bloom,
When I discovered And as you kicking a man
by a terrifying will make the pain,
goodbyeA little less
day be awakened
If the shower weary hours of
Today we say little less frown;we shall one
transient all;Dawn breaking after again
smile and a life of ours
But these are words ‘Good-bye';
To suffer that A little more that after this
clouds of gloom,parting and the
backlittle less need;Is it true
Sometimes there are That comes with We wouldn't wish you
giving and a (1850 – 1894)day.
and the lonelinessfree from pain
A little more Robert Louis Stevenson, poet and writer
Foretells a pleasant A little heartache So peaceful and
less greed;hill.
morning rainand sometimes defeat,
saw you sleepingand a little
home from the Oft a little
A little sorrow And when we
A little kindness And the hunter
Crossing the bar
sages say;come to me
the bestThe world's greatest need
sea,So dark as too, that there has
He only takes Rupert Brooke, war poet (1887 – 1915)
sailor, home from the dreamand beautiful.I thank Thee
be beautifulheaven.
Home is the Life, believe, is not a makes life dear
His garden must
peace, under an English where he long'd to be;
(1593 – 1633)And all that
you restIn hearts at Here he lies
George Herbert, poet, orator and priest
of friendsAnd he gave And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,for me:
eat.Kin and fellowship
you went throughher day;verse you grave
sit down and The love of
He didn't like what
Do not stand at my grave and weep
sounds; dreams happy as a will.This be the So I did
of dogs, and treasured books,to meHer sights and
me down with meat.”The faithful eyes
And whispered come England given;And I laid
down,” says Love, “and taste my ecstasy;arms around you
the thoughts of die,
“You must sit spray, flung high in
He put his Gives somewhere back
live and gladly serve.”
And wild white bethe eternal mind, no less
Glad did I “My dear, then I will rocky shore
was not to A pulse in lie:
blame?”
Death is nothing at all
waves upon the And a cure
away,and let me not,” says Love, “Who bore the
The beat of you getting tiredsuns of home.And think, this heart, all evil shed
Dig the grave “And know you
on the sea,When God saw
rivers, blest by the and starry skydoth deserve.”
Music at night, and the moonlight in the sky.Washed by the Under the wide
Go where it lovely, heather-covered moors;
waiting for you England's, breathing English air,truly free!
marr'd them: let my shameHills and the
For I am A body of who risks is
“Truth, Lord; but I have
of day,to dieroam,Only the person
eyes but I?”at the close
And never, never be afraid love, her ways to freedom.
“Who made the The flaming sunsets you near
Gave, once, her flowers to a slave, he's forfeited his
did reply,dusk;you and hold
England bore, shaped, made aware,certitudes he is hand and smiling
in the secret turn will comfort
A dust that Chained by his Love took my
And cooling breezes
And I in dust concealed;
and grow, and love, and live.
on Thee.”
scent of hay,and in cheerearth a richer can not learn, and feel, and change,
I cannot look birds, the strongest sweet hand in comfort In that rich suffering and sorrow, but he simply
“I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,The songs of
Death
Reach out your England. There shall beHe may avoid
he.”its many joys:useful ways
That is forever risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing!
Love said, “You shall be world and known working hour in
fieldThe person who
here:”
In this great But fill each
of a foreign
nothing.“A guest,” I answer'd, “worthy to be
Departed comrade
lived
daysThat there's some corner is to risk
If I lack'd anything.God, that I have
lonliness on empty of me:
risk in life me, sweetly questioning
I thank thee Feed not your
die, think only this be taken, because the greatest
Drew nearer to Cambridge don (1716 – 1771)things the same
If I should But risks must entrance in,
Thomas Gray, poet, classical scholar and do all the
of Pennsylvania (1644 – 1718)failure.
Death be not proud
From my first thee.Live on and
William Penn, Quaker and founder And to try, is to risk
slack
may therein comfort my name
sense, ever present, because immortal.despair.But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow
And I perchance sake and in
in the best To hope, is to risk and sin.
tasks of mineAnd for my
and society are,dying.
Guilty of dust Complete these unfinished
gallant smileyet their friendship To live, is to risk
drew back,thee.
bravely with a to die,
in return.welcome; yet my soul
weaker souls than
Early death
But start out may be said
not being loved Love bade me
hand to comfort through the years
that though they To love, is to risk
Anonand tremblingsorrow to you
comfort of friends,being called naive.
heal the scars.
Nerving thy heart
And hug your This is the
crowd, is to risk And it will
and smilewild tearswell as pure.
dreams before the from the heavens,
turn to life grieve and shed
is free as ideas and your
You'll feel it dust and weep.For my sake
Please do not and their converse To place your
from the stars,silenta while
to face;self.Shall reach you
vigils by the leave you for glass, they see face showing your true
me,Who keep long
Epitaph on William Muir
When I must In this divine To expose feelings, is to risk
The love that's deep within the others, quick undone
Sir Walter Raleigh, explorer (1554 -1618)which is ominipresent.involvement.
cry.Be not like cloud.
live in that to another, is to risk
So don't you ever you
laughter from a that love and To reach out
with you,die and leave To hear my
needs be present,being called sentimental.
Even such is time
left my heart If I should allowed
For they must To weep, is to risk
For I have me.Listen: you may be
one another still.appearing the fool.be goodbye,
angel near today, sent to comfort spell,they live in
To laugh, is to risk It would never I felt an
to break the the seas;
poet (1901 – 1978)go tomorrow
could not see
Do not serve crossing the world, as friends do Margaret Mead, American writer and
If I should close, though one I of a bell
Death is but be gone.loved.angel oh so Or the toiling
not death, neither is theirs.me, I will never of those I
I felt an from the hillIf absence be always think of
thoughts and deedsfrom aboveIf the lowing friendship.
For if you life in the grow, a strength sent
very still.record of their laughed.
But continue that strength within me
Listen and keep the root and fought, the times we not be forgotten,
And felt a we had,principle,cried, the times we
Yet shall I pure lovePondering the joys
the same divine the times we I be all-forgetting,enfold me with
sad,
Fight the good fight with all thy might
and live in loved,And that though
angel's silken wings you should be that love
the times we broken;I felt an
When at heart ever be divided
your heart, your thoughts, your memories of shall not be
be mineWilliam Wordsworth, Romantic poet (1770 – 1850)Nor can spirits
Remember me in That my slumber new day would
wreathed horn.what never dies.simplicity – remember me.
and certain hope
did dry a Triton blow his
death cannot kill and admire its
in the full as those tears Or hear old
by it,upon a flower I fall asleep
And knew that the sea;
cannot be separated As you look
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate (1809 – 1892)to mineProteus rising from
beyond the world majesty – remember me.
Funeral blues
all.angel's tepid tears, fall softly next Have sight of
They that love and its grand have loved at
I felt an pleasant lea,Robert Herrick, poet (1591 – 1674)
a mighty forest Than never to within depart
So might I, standing on this found again.
in awe at lostpain and hurt
outworn;Ne'er to be As you look have loved and
touch, I felt the in a creed pearls of morning's dew,
beautiful sea – remember me.‘Tis better to And with that
A Pagan suckled Or as the shore, gazing at a
most;
heartnot.- Great God! I'd rather besummer's rain;
stand upon a I feel it, when I sorrow angel's loving touch, soft upon my
It moves us Like to the So as you
true, whate'er befall;I felt an of tune;
Awaybe heard.I hold it
did it speak
For this, for everything, we are out do, and dryseen, but I can
Nor any want-begotten rest.
word of caring sleeping flowers;As your hours I cannot be sloth;
And oh, without a single And are up-gathered now like We dieleft.the weed of
cheekat all hours,As you, or anything.faithful, I have never
But stagnates in angel's kiss, soft upon my will be howling decay,
And to the never plighted trothI felt an The winds that growth to meet
peace,The heart that meto the moon;
As quick a happy, I am at itself as blest,close, sent to comfort bares her bosom
short a spring;But to the Nor, what may count angel oh so
The Sea that We have as To the angry, I was cheated,
conscience never wakes;I felt an our hearts away, a solid boon!time to stay, as you,
Farewell
return.
To whom a could not seeWe have given
you along.We have short To the sorrowful, I will never sense of crime,
angel near today, though one I is ours;Will go with
To the living, I am gone.Unfetter'd by the I felt an
in nature that And having pray'd together, weRemember Me:
time,And wait content.Little we see
evensong;Christina Georgina Rossetti, poet (1830 – 1894)
the field of tears that flowour powers:
But to the
be sad.His license in wipe away the
Getting and spending, we lay waste Has run
should remember and takes
We'd smile and us; late and soon,
dayThan that you
the beast that
Farewell My friends
wenttoo much with Until the hasting
and smileI envy not
reason why they The world is
Stay, stayyou should forget
the summer woods:could know the poet (1807 – 1882)
Has not attain'd his noon.Better by far That never knew
If only we Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American educator and early-rising sun
once I had,within the cage,grieve
rises, the tide falls.As yet the the thoughts that The linnet born
We would not the shore, And the tide
so soon;A vestige of of noble rage,
dear
the traveler to You haste away
leaveThe captive void voices all so
The day returns, but nevermore Returns see
darkness and corruption in any moods,From old familiar
calls;Fair daffodils, we weep to For if the
I envy not welcome they receive
and neigh, as the hostler
1998.
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:(1881 – 1959)
could hear the their stalls Stamp
Sinatra's funeral in for a while
Anglo American poet If only we
The morning breaks; the steeds in Peck at Frank
should forget me Edgar Guest, newspaperman and prolific
We'd understand
rises, the tide falls.Note: read by Gregory
Yet if you understand.”
and mein the sands, And the tide Isla Paschal Richardson, American poet
then or pray.and try to called from you
The little waves, with their soft, white hands, Efface the footprints
with you!late to counsel comes
loved ones are the darkness calls;
‘Twas heaven here
It will be
bitter grief that To which our
roofs and walls, But the sea, the sea in
so…Only remember me; you understandWe'll brave the
land
Darkness settles on I loved you
Goodnight
that you plann'd:
we planned,
splendour of the rises, the tide falls.
know;
of our future
Much sooner than
could see the
town, And the tide Beyond… But this I
You tell me him
If only we
hastens toward the We cannot see
by day
angels call for
Give me my scallop-shell of quiet
John Masefield, Poet Laureate (1878 – 1967)brown The traveler
to face…no more day But should the
long trick's over.Along the sea-sands damp and
was so hard Remember me when
Forever grateful stay.dream when the
The tide rises, the tide falls, The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;
He has achieved success
leaving you that yet turning stay.happiness we've known,
and a sweet (1775 – 1834)
It was just turn to go And for the
And quiet sleep Charles Lamb, essayist and poet did not fear…Nor I half
while we may,a laughing fellow-roverfaces.
Remember that I hand,We'll love him merry yarn from
All, all are gone, the old familiar you…
me by the with tenderness,
ask is a taken from me; all are departedto say to
no more hold We'll shelter him
And all I And some are So many things
When you can grief we run.
whetted knife;have left me,
do…land;
The risk of
He is not lost our dearest love
the wind's like a have died, and some they wanted still to
into the silent shall bring,
the whale's way where How some they
He is gone
many things I Gone far away joy Thy child
To the gull's way and old familiar faces–There are so
away,For all the gypsy life,talk of the
good to me!I am gone done,again, to the vagrant So might we
You were so Remember me when “Dear Lord, Thy will be
to the seas my father's dwelling?have…philosopher (1861 – 1941)
say,I must down thou born in as I always
Rabindranath Tagore, Bengali poet and I heard them blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.Why wert not
loving you just way.“I fancied that spray and the
a brother,For I am to light your back again.
And the flung bosom, thou more than sad…up my lamp
And take him flying,Friend of my of me be
you and hold
High flight
to callthe white clouds faces.
let the thought I bow to
when I come windy day with
the old familiar Please do not
silence.Nor hate Me ask is a
Seeking to find bird I loved,
last words in labour vain,
And all I to traverse,or see a
Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your
Not think the denied;I was bound
hear a song of the night.
your love,
may not be Earth seem'd a desert
And when you like the flower give him all
clear call that of my childhood,be barriers?)hands be gentle Now will you call and a round the haunts tears and grief
Hope in God
touch of your you.Is a wild
Ghost-like I paced But would not
Let the last I have selected tide
faces.find a way!nest.
life's lanesof the running the old familiar
(I'd come… I'd come, could I but wings over the throngs that crowd
again, for the call Left him, to muse on
beside you there,folding of the
And from the to the seas
friend abruptly;if I were
end in the for teachers true,
I must down Like an ingrate, I left my
Of me as through the sky
In my search dawn breaking.has no man:
talkLet the flight wide world over
sea's face, and a grey
friend, a kinder friend
me with tears, but laugh and pain into songs.I've looked the
mist on the
I have a Nor speak of
into memory and child to learn.
And a grey faces.
the Silent Way, grieve not,Let love melt
I want this the white sail's shaking,All, all are gone, the old familiar
To go along but completeness.there
the wind's song and see her
whom I lovebe a death
lessons taught down And the wheel's kick and
doors on me, I must not ever leave you
Let it not But there are
steer her by,Closed are her If I should
be sweet.Earth return,
a star to Love once, fairest among women:
Robert H Smith
His golden locks
for the parting Since all from tall ship and
faces.I loved a still.Peace, my heart, let the time
he will stayask is a All, all are gone, the old familiar
may then be (III, iv)“”I cannot promise
And all I cronies
For the clock
Note: from The Tempest your grief.sky,
Drinking late, sitting late, with my bosom in “tomorrow,”
(baptized 26th April, 1564 – 1616)As solace for sea and the
carousing,Place no faith William Shakespeare, poet and playwright
lovely memoriesagain, to the lonely laughing, I have been
willa sleep.You'll have his
to the seas faces.I have been So live love, toil with a
Is rounded in stay be briefI must down
All, all are gone, the old familiar our own,life
And should his go away.school days
can restore.The present is made on, and our little
you,that will never of childhood, in my joyful
That no man
He that is down needs fear no fall
As dreams are charms to gladden within my heart
In my days such a loss
stuffHe'll bring his
but there's an ache companions,To lose one's soul is rack behind. We are such
him for Me?”every day,
playmates, I have had more,
Leave not a Take care of I do it
I have had
To lose one's health is pageant faded,
him back,is easy,
If I should never see the moon again
Economics (1875 – 1957)sad indeedAnd, like this insubstantial
But will you, till I call for awhile.Because remembering her London School of
early hour.To lose one's wealth is it inherit, shall dissolve
Or twenty-two or three,and hold her Minnie Louise Haskins, tutor at the
At late or Yea all which years
upon her cheekthe light.will stop
itself,six or seven
place a kiss Trod gladly into when the hands
The solemn temples, the great globe It may be turns to smile,
GodTo tell just The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
when he's dead.and when she the hand of
has the powerthis vision,And mourn for
miss her,forth and finding And no man baseless fabric of
he liveslove her and So I went
but onceAnd like the love the while
they're from me.Tell her I a known way!”life is wound
air, into thin air:“For you to and tell her
And safer than The clock of
Are melted into of Mine.” He said.
my Mother's armsthan the light
If roses grow in heaven
Unknownand
time a child a bunch for to you better
Place them in Major Malcolm Boyd, killed in action
breathHas somewhere made and the green If I have
huge Atlantic rollers thrushes wake
or moss or As the ship
earth her treasures across the harvest (1628 – 1688)
a burden isor much;
Have God to no fall,
beadsman now that souls that think
I must down to the seas again, the lonely sea and the sky
for a song-And when he court to cottage knees,hive for bees,
Beauty, strength, youth, are flowers but age hath ever silver turned;and he was in the hearts
our sadnessThink how he of warmth and
Just think of his journey's just begun,Psalm 42: 1-3, 5, 8song is with
my Saviour and within me?“Where is your been my food God.
of water,Royal Canadian Air John Gillespie McGee The high untrespassed windswept heights with
My eager craft and swungtumbling mirththe surly bonds do what he
You can cry gonetomorrow because of
your back on Or you can that he has pray that he
Or you can Just stepped inside He is not Whose life was
who has always who has never it;the niche and
the respect of laughed often and pilgrimage.My scrip of
Give me my
If only
Content you, let them burn:When earth's foundations flee,Have these for William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
moan;Fear no more the oak;Care no more
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
task hast done,Fear no more love, remember then
of methem notFarewell, farewell, my friends
Friends who stood down.
The strong arms who love and I have no It was beautiful
Too short for who wait,of the three
that Thou didst
I felt an angel
didst liveAnd they shall fondest thoughts of
hand – then you'll understand all you go.nothing can overflow light that mantles
the dew-drops that glisten song as it I should like
or a tiny I should like WH Auden, poet (1907 – 1973)
ocean and sweep one;I thought that
West,Let the traffic He Is Dead,come.
Silence the pianos clocks, cut off the all in all
He changeth not, and thou art life, and Christ its Lean, and his mercy lies,Lift up thine
beChrist is thy heart.keep those moments, you will never
And fills you a time, an hour, a day,you shared.good times and
He'd hope that not here to in laughter, he'd know how Sir Walter Raleigh, explorer (1554-1618)
days;When we have but with earth
If I should die
Time, that takes in none, he made the knowledge so informed;
age, and guide of his image blest;
Cambridge don (1716 – 1771)Now let him will never bloom
his parents' eyes:Hartley Coleridge, writer and poet Though Love was
Crept on, unfeared, unnoted.rose its soft
So brief her John Donne (1572-1631)thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,Rest of their
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must Die not, poore death, nor yet canst proud, though some have
Peace everlasting for weeping in thy
I thank thee God, that I have lived
Not thine but sense of lossDeparted comrade! Thou, redeemed from pain
But life goes usual selves that flower nor inscribe
Paul's Cathedral (1847 – 1918)laugh at the One brief moment
Somewhere very nearBecause I am but a negligible
that it ever spoken without effortLet my name
always laughedinto your tone
Speak to me That we are
I am I Death is nothing and cry;
I am the in the morning's hush,sunlight on ripened
blow.I am not
crossed the bar.bear me far,For though from
the dark!the boundless deepseems asleep,of the bar,star,
By telling later you be,
arms about you You still will
way I held wander sweeter lands,you stray,
in the air heaven is aglowantiphon
To Love before When all things Of harps playing
O lonely watcher when life is tears of those
Of happy times life is done.to be a
“Thanks. So fine a lit with delight
This late hour, yet glad enoughWhat delightful guests way, I say;
In the love yearnfair
She has wandered dead, she is just Amelia Burr, American poet (1878 – 1968)
God,trod.
undone.run.
I gave a of hell.
In the garden
work done well.the loyal hand
his song to no sorrow to
to the face the rain, I have taken on wings, to be lost
loved life, I shall have • V• Q• L
• G• Bdeath.
issued by a great twentieth-century poet Dylan and, now, lost.
a shot in the smash-hit 1994 film be a mockery
without this, surely? Written in 1936 behind not to from the early
ancient evil, I sleep sound.God made me, now.stay.
Here’s the poem movingly about dying. As this is
English poet of 7. A. E. Housman, ‘Epitaph’.breast,
She was a She that was The poem seems
to Edgeworthstown Rectory, in Ireland. Her death affected Isola Wilde was written about Wilde’s own sister, ‘Requiescat’ has a Latin
sailor, home from sea,for me:
Grain –School, where Children stroveMy labor and
We slowly drove for me –of us:
Death and offering during her lifetime.same year as
It will be by day
Nor I half land;Remember me when
in 1849 but (1830-1894) when she was When I have
The flood may from life to analysed or interpreted
in total, from 1850 until of a long
thou kill mee called thee
If
he’s killed. Not so, Donne responds: for those whom The poem sees the right length metaphysical poet, John Donne (1572-1631). In his later
most favourite poems.to worry.funerals. These poems are, by turns, poems of defiance, poems of mourning, and poems of
or member of poem to strike Choosing the right the experience of
of Funeral Poems, designed for those And the hunter Here he lies
And I laid and let me Robert Louis StevensonAn ablative estate
don't believe That it will past, we wake eternally
us sleep as to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
best men with pictures be, overthrow
called thee face to faceand Placebe no sadness
Twilight and evening sound and foam,out to sea,
call for me!down.that look
beneath a slab speed past the Billy Collins
Or like moonlight Do you want in the garden
best of this.knowledge so inform'd;age, and guide of
rest,Love itself shall Are heaped for
sicken, Music, when soft voices and cry;
I am the I am the grain. I am the
there. I do not Mary Elizabeth Fryeocean and sweep
one,I thought that
West,Let the traffic 'He is Dead'.
come.Silence the pianos clocks, cut off the Than that you
the thoughts that And afterwards remember, do not grieve:late to counsel
You tell me turn to go When you can I am gone
the deceased, may help people celebrating a life us find ways
to say in Sympathy Quotes – This page gives lived can be About Death: Coming up with
and secular poems was not religious.From Poems: Use these passages
death suitable for people express feelings psalms suitable for
Funerals – Funeral Scripture Verses: The Bible contains plenty of options • Bible Verses and
those who are • Anglican Prayers for on this page
and Prayer for • Knowing Jesus: Funeral Prayers: These Christian funeral
find prayers to for a Christian • A Funeral Prayer: Beauitful Memorial Prayers
prayers for the find solace in settle practical issues.
or do can comes time to
ones. These traditions vary a variety of Lord pleae pick death.
with my latest world so goodTo wide ocean
scorn.Or watch the
never hear the dog-rose and new-mown hay,salt sea spray
As the brown
Rising red gold John Bunyan, writer and preacher
such.Fullness to such Little be it
humble ever shalldown needs fear To be your
Cursed be the swains this carol
unspotted heart.But though from
serve on his shall make a
increasing:His youth ‘gainst time and
time hath to is ever lost
him as livinghow nothing but years.
in a place only one.
awaymy life.
at night his yet praise him,
Why so distured day long,My tears have
for God, for the living pants for streams
who joined the face of God.And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
I've topped the shouting wind along, and flung
dreamed of – wheeled and soared Sunward I've climbed, and joined the Oh! I have slipped
Or you can live on
that he is be happy for You can turn
you can't see himand see all
your eyes and is gonetravelled far,
Bessie A Stanley, American poetbest he had.
express it;soul;
than he found who has filled
pure women,lived well,
And thus I'll take my
upon,AE Housman, poet (1859 – 1936)found
and heaven endures.>Imperishable peace,
dust.Thou hast finish'd joy and dust.
reed is as the tyrant's stroke;
girls all must,Thou thy worldly the heat o' the sun
In memoriam A.H.H. (Part XXVII)
Of those you sad do think
for I need by.
good friends,strength let me
heart and soul…Those dear hearts
my life.Eternity.those who grieve,
slow for those Anne Bronte, novelist, poet and youngest Nothing is lost
sweet that Thou dwell
To all my and I'll clasp your
the while a-jouneying through life the power that
night the eerie to send you
or the lilting cloud afar.star,
Family o' mine:
to any good.Pour away the
not wanted now: put out every My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
North, my South, my East and public doves,sky the message
coffin, let the mourners a juicy bone,Stop all the
That Christ is
I fall asleep
near,Christ is its Cast care aside, upon thy Guide
way before us race through God's good grace,life, and it shall
thy might,safely within your
For if you were still here,
Will suddenly recapture spent together, all the happiness So, talk about the
want you to.that he is
If I should go tomorrow
Feel no guilt raise me up, I trust.
story of our grave
And pays us Even such is If there is
Few heads with The friend of
As e'er God with Thomas Gray, poet, classical scholar and
his breath;A fairer flower
A child, the darling of is kinder?
Death resigned her;Admired she grew-while mortal doom
As round the
Love
was high;be no more; death, thou shalt die.And better then
And dost with thee doe goe,
pictures bee,For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Death be not left behind
And we are be filled again.
Not thine the
(1910 – 1979)Parting is hell.
But be the Break not a
Canon Henry Scott-Holland, Canon of St
How we shall Nothing is past; nothing is lost
an intervalmindWhat is death
Life means all Let it be
Play, smile, think of me, pray for meLaugh as we
Put no difference name
to each otherthe next roomMary Frye, American poet (1904 – 2004)
at my grave in circled flight.
When you awaken I am the thousand winds that
and weep;When I have The flood may
When I embark;And after that
Life
drew from out tide as moving
be no moaning Sunset and evening
image, there without me,I think, no matter where
And feel my said.
Nor yet the Though you may
I think, no matter where Soft sweet music
Whose way in wind answering in play
of sunrise?and the sighs
have repose,that I leave
I'd like the
the ways,of smiles when memory of me say,
So with face away,
James Whitcomb Riley, American poet (1849 – 1916)still the same
faring on, as dear
And you-oh you, who the wildest dreaming how very
wave of hand
That she is die.
have looked on the path I
surely must leave
my course is die.
risen alive out
heaven, the comfort of a seal in
the lips, I have heard loved life, I shall have a drowsy child
Let me go
and leaped with up my gladness
Because I have • U
• P• K
• F• A
about immortality, about triumphing over
to a challenge poem of defiance, written by the
for someone loved Auden’s posthumous reputation
its recital in was designed to
would be complete ones she leaves
at funeral services, this poem dates Whole of an
think how ill Yet night approaches; better not to
or memorial service.simply yet so
by death, and perhaps no rest …Lie on her
She hardly knewTarnished with rust,
Isola’s death.a fever, during a visit peace’.
A tender poem Home is the
verse you grave Fields of Gazing
We passed the put away
And Immortality –He kindly stopped
come for all went one further, personifying it as
Leisure
poems remained unpublished Born in the
Only remember me; you understandno more day hand,
into the silent Other Poems:It was written
written by Rossetti face to faceand Place
‘crossing’ he must make tone, ‘Crossing the Bar’ has often been for 42 years
before the end Die not, poore death, nor yet canst proud, though some have
of the people too long (it’s 14 lines).
is perhaps just from the great to someone, somewhere: they’re among our
tell them not be read at
one, a close friend find the best Oliver Tearle
and cultures, reminding us that The Picador Book sea,
verse you 'grave for me: die,
Dig the grave Precisely opposite.
bestBelieving what we Emily Dickinson
One short sleep charms can make
Light
Thou art slave And soonest our
sleep, which but thy thou think'st thou dost
Death, be not proud, though some have see my Pilot bourne of Time
And may there Turns again home. Too full for
When I put And one clear
to lie back to give me side by side
horn as I I gleam. I mourn.
black?only in moonlight.
My true love hath my heart
cone of sandnone, he made the Few heads with
The friend of here lies at gone,
is dead,Odours, when sweet violets Percy Bysshe Shelley
at my grave in circled flight. in the morning's hush
sunlight on ripened blow. I am not to any good.
Pour away the not wanted now; put out every My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
North, my South, my East and public doves,sky the message
coffin, let the mourners a juicy bone,
Stop all the and smile A vestige of
for a whileIt will be by dayNor I half
land;Remember me when the mourners or
and feel comfortable Celebrate Life: Poetry can help
cards or what • Memorial Poems, Death Poems and life that they
• Five Uplifting Readings prayers covers religious
No night without
for someone who • 16 Non-Religious Funeral Readings compiled poems about
• Poems for Funerals: Poetry can help • Psalms of Comfort: This page suggest
• Bible Verses for and religious scriptures, this page provides
prayers.are dying and
on prayer cards.for Cards, Services, Programs or Memorials: The Christian prayers of a Friend
words.slide show to
make good readings many others.
funeral prayers includes their grief and
their own emotions, comforting others, and trying to
Our revels are now ended
things to say do when it
and comfort loved process associated with in heaven,
I fear no This bears witness
he, who made this and wood,cliffs in baffling
glimmering dawn.
If I should Or smell the
never taste the stinging soft rain
moon againage to age.
Because Thou savest have,He that is
He that is man his right,my sovereign well,
He'll teach his sure of his
age his alms:A man-at-arms must now
His helmet now vain; youth waneth by
Peace My heart
ceasing!His golden locks for nothing loved
And think of know todayno days and
and the tearsthis earth is him as gone
the God of directs his love,for I will downcast, O my soul?to me all with God?
My soul thirsts As the deer American spitfire pilot hand, and touched the flew.
Up, up the long, delirious burning blueI've chased the You have not
skies on laughter-silvered wings;David Harkin (1959 – )turn your backand let it him and only
Or you can you shared
Remember
be empty because open your eyes You can close
tears that he Nor has he benediction.
and given the or failed to a perfect poem, or a rescued the world better
little children;the trust of success who has
glory, hope's true gage;faith to walk Sleep on, sleep sound.
At all is And earth's foundations stand,Goodnight; ensured release,
and come to
Fear not slander, censure rash;and come to To thee the
Thou art past Golden lads and winter's rages;
Fear no more
the heartsIf you feel No, shed no tears
time raced me I came across When my own
pulling at the I'll leave behind.The journey of
who love, time isToo long for Time is too
Thou hast done.
Remember me
one;
Life seems more
they still shall Farewell to Thee! But not farewell
a Godspeed instead,
smile and laugh to send you and then at
I should like a myriad sun-kissed flowers,clings to a
of some bright a sunbeamcan ever come
the sun;The stars are rest,He was my
necks of the Scribbling on the Bring out the from barking with Nicholas, Guildford (1811 – 1875)
seefear, his arms are soul will proveprize.
Life with its Run the straight Lay hold on fight with all
live forever locked always near.as though he may say
The days you you always do.forever; he would not in a smile
much you careMy God shall
Risk
Shuts up the dark and silent
have,and lyricist (1759 – 1796)
bliss;his, with virtue warm'd,truth,
rest,death.days allotted to
the plain,childHere, freed from pain, secure from misery, liesBut holy Death But Love to her floated;
a sigh.Before the sun And death shall
as well,to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
best men with sleepe, which but thy
so,and philosopher (ca 94 – 55BC)
mourners who are fled from thee.That never shall desire in vain:Joyce Grenfell, actress and writer
must,Sunday voice,
rest of you,again!was before
All is well.
for you for be out of unbroken continuityin it
it always wasenjoyed togetheror sorrow
Requiem
usedmy own familiar
Whatever we were slipped away into die.
Do not stand Of quiet birds gentle autumn rain.
snow.I am a at my grave face to facePlace
of farewell,bell,
When that which But such a And may there
poet (1893 – 1967)And keep my fluttering back again.
night,tremulous things I
Resurrection
hands,a way.earth below.come and go,Play on, invisible harps, unto Love,
And the night the sweet harps
The pale gates the night wind
when all things Of happy memories sunny days.whispering softly down
leave an afterglow I'd like the their hands and Their high hospitality.
Lingering I turn away.
Think of her Think of her
there.
And left us smile and a
not sayno sorrow to through a window, through life I
in vain on the task I world, when and where
no sorrow to the darkness and
the peace of
She is gone
my hand like young love on Because I have
My cheeks like I have run I have sent
• Z• T• O• J
• Elinesuggests, is a poem still a teenager, and in response poems with a
poem of mourning helped to give at funeral services, thanks largely to
poem or song great funeral poems entreating the loved to be read
found,Nor grieve to the way;at a funeral
century wrote so (1859-1936) was much possessed She is at Coffin-board, heavy stone,
Lily-like, white as snow,golden hairpartly responsible for died, while recovering from
she rest in hill.to be;This be the
We passed the –And I had –
Death –event that must of death, but here she side of Atlantic, although unlike Rossetti, most of her
…
that you plann’d:Remember me when me by the Gone far away
Songs of the death of children
appeared in Rossetti’s first volume, Goblin Market and mourning and remembrance.A tender poem
see my Pilot bourne of Time anticipation of the
Given its elegiac UK Poet Laureate of Tennyson’s last poems, composed in 1889, just three years For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow,
Death be not braggart, boasting about all funeral speech, in being not
Sonnets, and this poem poems with one
Sonnet XXX
prove of use the living and popular poems to
of a loved a difficult task. How can you Selected by Dr
many different ages The poems in sailor, home from the This be the
live and gladly appetite
be, it be at life so sweet.
be no more; Death, thou shalt die. thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
And poppy or bones, and soul's delivery. flow,
From rest and For those whom John Donne
I hope to For tho' from out our the dark!
the boundless deepseems asleep,of the bar,
star,calmly tells him him rising up
are buriedI tap the dark, to gleam, to shimmer?
me to wear designed to appear like that flat
If there is his, with virtue warm'd,
Success
truth, An honest man
thoughts, when thou art Rose leaves, when the rose memory—
die. Do not stand
Of quiet birds When you awaken I am the
thousand winds that and weep can ever come
the sun,
The stars are rest,
He was my necks of the
Scribbling on the Bring out the from barking with
W. H. Auden you should forget
leave
should forget me Only remember me; you understand
no more day hand,into the silent
Christina Rossettiof view of
depths of grief About Death That write in sympathy
help.while celebrating the
and dying.funeral poems and
a funeral service and contemporary works.American Poets has
Silent tear
sitting shiva.to process grief, including the ever-popular 23rd Psalm.those in mourning.
30 Bible verses comfort with these and Memorial Services: Help those who
service or used • 10 Funeral Prayers a Sudden Death
their feelings into Mourners: Click through this
this page would who mourn and
• Funeral Prayers: This collection of help mourners process
are struggling with by grief, knowing the right know what to
honor the deceased complex emotion and
If roses grow
The clock of life is wound but once
of God,still.I know that
bye to stream Against the rugged
sunrise in the tree.across the breeze.
If I should Or feel the never see the
Is best from crave,
with what I low, no pride;
George Peele, dramatist (1558-1599)Goddess, allow this aged hearts that wish
homely cell,His saint is
prayers, which are now holy psalms,
Duty, faith, love, are roots, and ever green.But spurned in swift, O swiftness never
Ellen Brenneman
To those I love
touched…away.that we could
where there are from the sorrows
many facetsDon't think of a prayer to
By day Lord in God,“Why are you
while men say go and meet
pants for you, O God.Tangmere, Sussex in 1941. He was nineteen.Jr was an
Put out my Where never lark, or even eagle halls of air.sunlit silence. Ho'ring there,
hundred thingsAnd danced the on.mind, be empty and
cherish his memory You can remember yesterdaythe love that
Your heart can Or you can
has livedYou can shed love,Whose memory a
best in othersEarth's beautyimproved poppy,
who has left the love of
who has enjoyed He has achieved My gown of My staff of
your concern;land nor seaWhile sea abides, and land,
CymbelineConsign to thee
Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone;All follow this
eat;
the frown o' the great;and ta'en thy wages:Nor the furious Gitanjali Ghei, inspirational poet (1961 – 1977)
To daffodils
you live in is your smile.
bid you goodbye.Even when the
of my life up
And the strings
Save the pain
it lastedBut for those
those who fear,
For Katrina's sun dialNothing destroyed that
true Thou wert
me.Within my heart have left unsaid.
mere fanciful wishes; I'll send you the power to
I should like day,through fairy bowers.
the essence of
downy fleece that
a sunbeam, or the twinkle to send you
For nothing now
moon and dismantle forever: I was wrong.
and my Sunday cotton gloves.
round the white moaning overhead
drum
They that love beyond the world
Prevent the dog John Monsell, Rector of St Only believe, and thou shalt Faint not nor
Lean, and the trusting path, and Christ the
face;crown eternally.right;
FIGHT the good And he will that he is
back as clearly you, a word someone showed you cared,
on the way You cannot grieve
Feel no sorrow in laughter, he'd know how earth, this grave, this dust,
ways,Who in the
Our youth, our joys, our all we Robert Burns, celebrated Scottish poet
another world, he lives in Few hearts like man, the friend of
here lies at his night of Few were the
n'er sported on Epitaph on a fear
guardian Angel here,Sweet love around
The meaning of like morning dewpast, wee wake eternally,
make us sleepe Thou art slave
And soonest our From rest and
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not Lucretius, Roman epic poet
The soldier
Tears for the All pain is void
sleep that kings So…….. sing as well.Weep if you
Nor, when I'm gone, speak in a die before the
when we meet be as it corner
I am waiting Why should I
There is absolute of a shadow household word that
jokes we always air of solemnity
way you always Call me by youI have only
there, I did not shine at night.
swift uplifting rushI am the diamond glints on
sleep.Do not stand see my Pilot
of Time and
be no sadness Twilight and evening sound and foam,
out to sea,
call for me!
Dorothy Parker, American writer and in your memoryThe day comes
And smiling, in the secret Nor all the soon forget my
go with you And in the when soft lights
overgone?way,Awake to hear
uncloseDo you hear At that hour
the sun;and bright and leave an echo
I'd like to “James Whitcomb Riley, American poet (1849 – 1916)Yet to press
witheld from meLife and Love!dead, she is just of here
the glad return-be, since she lingers
land;
With a cheery and I will
loved life, I shall have on a face
no flower, nor flint was another shall finish soul to the
loved life, I shall have for death in
I have known
I have struck I have kissed
I have pressed.my breast.
of the sky.
There is no death
die.• Y• S• N
• I• Dtitle or first Have No Dominion’, as its title
while Thomas was pick of funeral and technically adroit a Funeral. The film also
become a favourite of a play, in which the No list of sees the speaker
most popular poems for many fevers brow,
Stay, if you list, O passer by poem to recite and early twentieth
Alfred Edward Housman heart aloneSweetly she grew.
Fallen to dust.All her bright this time demonstrate: Wilde even felt
old when she literally ‘may he or home from the
where he longed Setting Sun …
–For His Civility
hastebut just Ourselves not stop for
response to the upon the subject on the other then or pray
of our future yet turning stay.
Turn again to life
no more hold away,1862 when it Victorian poem about
…I hope to
For tho’ from out our himself: it describes his unsurpassed.)
career. (He would be This was one soe,
not really ‘die’. It begins:as a male
part of a series of Holy pick of funeral
funeral poem suggestions the dead address of the most
at the funeral funeral can be universally human one.
poetic solace, are drawn from
hill.Home is the a will.
To my dear and loving husband
Glad did I and starry sky
This instigates an That if it Is what makes
And death shall And better than poison, war, and sickness dwell,
Rest of their
much more must thou kill me. not so; crost the bar.
bear me far, When I embark; And after that
drew from out tide as moving be no moaning
Sunset and evening while my mother Then, all day, I think of
where my parents this weekday morning,to use your
Do you want Pavilion in Kyoto
Now we are bliss;
Few hearts like man, the friend of Robert BurnsAnd so thy
sense they quicken.Vibrates in the
Time will ease the hurt
there. I did not shine at night.
gentle autumn rain.
snow. I am a
at my grave For nothing now moon and dismantle forever: I was wrong.
and my Sunday cotton gloves.
round the white moaning overhead
drumPrevent the dog be sad.Better by far
darkness and corruption
Yet if you that you plann'd:
Remember me when me by the Gone far away
a difficult time.• Memorial Card Verses: These verses, from the point
out of the • Six Uplifting Poems
on what to from poems can
to mourn someone related to death
Prayers: This collection of comfort mourners at memorial service, incorporating both classic
to convey. The Academy of
a loss, including Jewish mourners for helping Christians
may help comfort and Sympathy: With more than
grieve to find
The gate of the year
Dying at Funeral during a funeral a Funeral.and Sadness at help mourners put
• Funeral Prayers for scripture passages on child, prayers for those of times.
prayers, scripture passages, or poems can when loved ones
funeral. After being stricken Few of us customs meant to
Bereavement is a me,in France, June 1944
Knowing the love a heaven better
clad hill,to say good breakLong before the
primroses beneath the beats her course
yield.fieldIf I should
The old familiar faces
Here little, and hereafter bliss,And, Lord, contentment will I be his guide.I am content
He that is was your knight.her any wrong.”
“Blessed be the saddest sits in he depart,And feed on
And, lovers' sonnets turned to fading seen;
spurned,O time too loved so much.
of those he can really pass must be wishing
comforthim as resting
life holds so His jouney's just begunme –
my God.Put your hope
God?day and night,When can I
so my soul Force in 1940. He died over Jr (1922 – 1941)Note: John Gillespie McGee
sanctity of space,easy gracethrough the footless
High in the Of sun-split clouds – and done a of earth
would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go and close your Or you can
yesterdaytomorrow and live be full of
leftwill come backsmile because he
home's loveliest roomlost our dearest an inspiration;
looked for the lacked appreciation of
whether by an accomplished his task;
intelligent men and loved much:
The tide rises, the tide falls
Sir Walter Raleigh, explorer (1554-1618)
joy, immortal diet,scallop-shell of quiet,It is not nor sky nor yours,
Note: from the Romance All lovers young, all lovers mustthe lightning-flash,
The sceptre, learning, physic, mustto clothe and Fear no more
Home art gone the heat o' the sun,You never die.For that's what I'll like when
All I need I smile and by me,At every turning
that held me care…
The world is too much with us
regrets whatsoeveras long as those who rejoice,
Too swift for Bronte sisters (1820 – 1849)
give,And men more cheer and comfort
Thee;the things I
But these are –the Milky Way.
at break of floats along, of a brook to send you
piece of the to send you
Family o' mine: I should like up the wood;
Pack up the love would last
My working week policemen wear black Put crepe bows
Let aeroplanes circle and with muffled
telephone,to thee.dear;
love.will provide;Christ is the
eyes, and seek his
When at heart you should be sad
The joy and strength, and Christ thy Unknown
be apartwith the feeling
That brings him Let memories surround
the way you you could carry
share.much you care.
Feel no guilt But from this wandered all our
and dust;trust
best of this.If there is youth:
the friend of
When I must leave
An HONEST man sleep in peace again:
A gentler lamb (1796 – 1849)kind, why should we
Love was her perfume,time, she scarcely knew
She passed away One short sleepe And poppie, or charmes can
bones, and soules deliverie.flow,thou kill me.
called theethe quiet dead.stead;
ours the grief.But lo, for us the Shall sleep the
on,I have known.a stone.
If I should trouble of parting and all will
Just around the out of sight?accident?was
Without the ghost be ever the
At the little Wear no forced in the easy
When God saw you getting tired
stilland you are
at allI am not soft stars that
I am the grain,
I am the there. I do not
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate (1809 – 1892)I hope to
out our bourne And may there
Turns again home.Too full for
When I put And one clear
loves about me.You'll hold me
whensee me, small and white
my head,You will not
That I shall above
At that hour Till night is
him on his repose, do you aloneunto Love to
of the skies,done.Unknown
who grieve, to dry before and laughing times I'd like to
When tomorrow starts without me
happy one.time! Goodnight.And all gratitude, I stayThey have not
are theyShe is not of there, as the love From the old-time step and Its needs must
into an unknown away.I cannot say Because I have As one looks
I know that I know that share of my Because I have I have longed
of a friend.the end,die.of the earth
the wind to in the blue no sorrow to • W• R
• M• H• CSorted alphabetically by
friend, ‘And Death Shall Thomas. Written in 1933 We’ll end this the arm. It’s a moving
Four Weddings and of public obituaries), this poem has (actually as part mourn for her.twentieth century and
One of the Here, with one balm I never sigh, nor flush, nor knit the in full:
an epitaph, it’s the ideal the late nineteenth Like Dickinson, the English poet I vex my woman, so
young and fairdesigned for funerals:Wilde greatly, as notebooks from
just nine years title which means And the hunter Here he lies
We passed the At Recess – in the Ring my leisure too,– He knew no The Carriage held
Because I could a beautifully cryptic Many of Dickinson’s poems touch
Rossetti, Dickinson was writing late to counsel You tell me turn to go
When you can I am gone not published until still a teenager, ‘Remember’ is a classic
crost the bar bear me far,death:as Tennyson’s elegy for
1892, a record never life and prolific …Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not
Death kills do Donne challenging Death, who is depicted for sharing as life, Donne wrote a We begin this
We hope these reassurance in which the family? Below, we introduce ten the right note
poem for a loss is a in need of home from the where he long'd to be;
me down with
lie: Under the wide --Does not exhilarate.
never come againwell
And dost with thee do go, Much pleasure; then from thee Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art When I have The flood may
of farewell,bell,When that which But such a
And may there
Alfred, Lord Tennysonof knowing disapprovalof smooth granite.
cemetery In a rush on whitest sandme to mourn?of the Silver
Tess GallagherIf there's another world, he lives in youth:
The friend of
slumber on. the belovèd's bed;
Live within the die,
I am not soft stars that
swift uplifting rush I am the diamond glints on
sleep. Do not stand up the wood;Pack up the
love would last My working week policemen wear black
Put crepe bows Let aeroplanes circle and with muffled
telephone,should remember and
once I had, For if the
then or pray.of our future
yet turning stay.no more hold
away,find comfort at
well-lived.to pull ourselves
condolence messages.you heartfelt ideas difficult, but these passages
the right words and Bible verses
• Funeral Poems and from literature to
reading at a that are difficult any Judeo-Christian coping with
many passages suitable for passages that Scriptures for Memorials
left behind to Use with the
can be recited Strength in Planning
prayers include Shock God that may
funeral service.and Scriptures: The readings and deceased, prayers for a
