Often poems and verses can provide comfort to those who are grieving at a funeral. There is a vast collection of beautiful pieces of poetry, readings and verses that are available and the choice can be a very personal one as you try to enhance a funeral or memorial service with your selection.
Sometimes it is difficult to muster the courage to get up and deliver a tribute/eulogy and express some of what you are feeling as you step through the grieving process. That’s where the use of poems, readings or verses can be a powerful and moving alternative.
Below are a number of poems both religious or non-religious that might assist you in making your choice.
Afterglow
I’d like the memory of me
To be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow
Of smiles when day is done.
I’d like to leave an echo
Whispering softly down the ways;
Of happy times laughing times
And bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve
To dry before the sun.
Of happy memories I leave
Behind – when day is done.
By Helen Lowrie Marshall
Do Not Stand At My Grave
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star-shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
By Mary Frye
Don’t Cry for Me
Don’t cry for me now I have died,
for I’m still here I’m by your side,
My body’s gone but my soul is here,
please don’t shed another tear,
I am still here I’m all around,
only my body lies in the ground.
I am the snowflake that kisses your nose,
I am the frost, that nips your toes.
I am the sun, bringing you light,
I am the star, shining so bright.
I am the rain, refreshing the earth,
I am the laughter, I am the mirth.
I am the bird, up in the sky,
I am the cloud, that’s drifting by.
I am the thoughts, inside your head,
While I’m still there, I can’t be dead.
Author unknown
Dont Weep
Don’t weep at my grave,
For I am not there,
I’ve a date with a butterfly
to dance in the air.
I’ll be singing in the sunshine,
Wild and free,
Playing tag with the wind
Please don’t weep for me.
How can I live
What am I to do
Now a part of my heart,
Is buried with you?
Author Unknown
Four Candles for You
The first candle represents our grief.
The pain of losing you is intense.
It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.
This second candle represents our courage.
To confront our sorrow,
To comfort each other,
To change our lives.
This third candle we light in your memory.
For the times we laughed,
The times we cried,
The times we were angry with each other,
The silly things you did,
The caring and joy you gave us.
This fourth candle we light for our love.
We light this candle that your light will always shine.
As we enter this holiday season and share this night of remembrance with our family and friends.
We cherish the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for you.
We thank you for the gift your living brought to each of us.
We love you.
We remember you.
Author Unknown
God’s Garden
God looked around his Garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
And knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw your path was difficult, he closed your tired eyes,
He whispered to you “Peace be Thine” and gave you wings to fly.
When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain,
We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.
You’ve left us precious memories, your love will be our guide,
You live on through your children, you’re always by our side.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you on the day God called you home.
Author Unknown
Goodbye
The church is full of people
who have come to say goodbye.
But no one wants to see you go
And we’re all left asking why?
In our pain and tears we share
A heartache that cannot heal
But in our minds we keep our memories
That none can ever steal.
We all can feel your hand in ours
And see your loving face
You haven’t gone, I feel you here
A love I can’t replace.
You meant so much to each of us
In our hearts you’ll always be
I hope you knew how precious you were
To them, to us, to me.
Author Unknown
I am Always With You
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.
I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you’ve given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown,
but now it is time I travelled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
that it is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.
I won’t be far away for life goes on.
And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can’t see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear
All my love around you soft and clear
And then, when you come this way along,
I’ll greet you with a smile and a “Welcome Home”.
Author Unknown
I Am Not There
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star-shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
By Mary Frye
I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God has laid you see.
I took His hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savoured much
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee
God wanted me now; He set me free.
Author Unknown
In Memoriam
Our lives go on without you
But nothing is the same
We have to hide our heartache
When someone speaks your name
Sad are the hearts that love you
Silent are the tears that fall
Living without you is the hardest part of all
You did so many things for us
Your heart was so kind and true
And when we needed someone
We could always count on you
The special years will not return
When we are all together
But with the love in our hearts
You walk with us forever.
Author Unknown
Into The Darkness We Lay You Down
Into the darkness and warmth of the earth
We lay you down.
Into the sadness and smiles of our memories
We lay you down.
Into the cycle of living and dying and rising again
We lay you down.
May you rest in peace, in fulfilment, in loving
May you run straight home into God’s embrace.
Into the freedom of wind and sunshine
We let you go.
Into the dance of the stars and the planets
We let you go.
Into the wind’s breath and the hands of the star maker
We let you go.
We love you, we miss you, we want you to be happy
Go safely, go dancing, go running home.
Author Unknown
Memories in the Heart
Feel no guilt in laughter, she knows how much you care
Feel no sorrow in a smile that she’s not here to share
You cannot grieve forever, she would not want you to
She’d hope that you can carry on, the way you always do
So talk about the good times and the ways you showed you cared
The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared
Let memories surround you.
A word someone may say
Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day
That brings her back as clearly as though she were still here
And fills you with the feelings that she is always near
For if you keep these moments, you will never be apart
And she will live forever locked safe within your heart
Author Unknown
Memories of You
I remember everything about you,
your voice, your smile, your touch,
the way you walked, the way you talked,
the way you looked at me, meant so much.
I remember all the words you said to me,
some funny, some kind, some wise,
all of the things you did for me,
I see now with different eyes.
I remember every moment we shared,
seems like only yesterday,
or maybe it was eons ago,
It’s really hard to say.
You are gone from me now,
but one thing they can’t take away,
your memory resides inside my heart,
and lights up my darkest days.
Author Unknown
Miss Me But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road
and the sun has set on me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room,
why cry for a soul set free.
Miss me a little – but not too long,
and not with your head bowed low,
Remember the love that we once shared,
miss me – but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take,
and each must go alone.
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan,
a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
go to the friends we know.
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
miss me – but let me go.
Author Unknown
Remember Me
Remember me when I am gone away,
gone far away into the silent land;
when you can no more hold me by the hand,
nor half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
you tell me of our future that you planned;
only remember me, you understand
it will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
and afterwards remember, do not grieve;
For if the darkness and corruption leave
a vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
better by far you should forget and smile
than that you should remember and be sad.
By Christina Rossetti
The Day You Left
With tears we saw you suffer,
As we watched you fade away,
Our hearts were almost broken,
As you fought so hard to stay.
We knew you had to leave us,
But you never went alone,
For part of us went with you
The day you left your home.
Author Unknown
The Final Flight
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard his call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I’ve found that peace at the end of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things too I will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savoured much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.
Author Unknown
The Tide Recedes
The tide recedes
but leaves behind
bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down,
but gentle warmth
still lingers on the land.
The music stops,
And yet it echoes on
in sweet refrains.
For every joy that passes,
something beautiful remains.
By M D Hughes
Those Who Love
It’s always those who love the most
Who most miss the one they love,
When comes the parting of the ways,
And clouds loom dark above;
But tears will pass, your skies will clear
Then will you smile again,
And comfort find in memories,
Which now bring bitter pain.
Author Unknown
Though I am Dead
Though I am dead grieve not for me with tears
think not of death with sorrowing and tears;
I am so near that every tear you shed
touches and tortures me though you think me dead.
But when you laugh and sing in glad delight,
my soul is lifted upward to the light.
Laugh and be glad for all that life is giving
and I, though dead, will share your joy in living.
Author Unknown
Tiny Angel
For brief and fleeting moment, an angel touched the ground;
With tiny wings and halo, and sweet, soft angel sounds.
Blessing the lives of others, in beauty and in grace;
Those who saw the angel, knew God had kissed his tiny face.
The angel came for reasons we may not understand;
A journey brief, with gifts so great, and guided by God’s hand.
So, rest now tiny angel, your work on earth is through;
In the beauty of God’s perfect love we saw His gift in you.
Author Unknown
True Love
True love is a sacred flame that burns eternally,
And none can dim its special glow or change its destiny.
True love speaks in tender tones and hears with gentle ear,
True love gives with open heart and true love conquers fear.
True love makes no harsh demands It neither rules nor binds,
True love holds with gentle hands the hearts that it entwines.
Author Unknown
We Remember
It will be the little things that we will remember,
the quiet moments, the smiles, the laughter.
And although it may seem hard right now,
it will be the memories of these little things
that help to push away the pain
and bring the smiles back again.
Author Unknown
You Can Shed Tears that She is Gone
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
Or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she’s gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she’d want
– smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
By David Harkins
You were a Precious Gift
You were a precious gift,
Our joy, our dreams.
You were a sparkle through the darkness;
Our hope for a brighter tomorrow.
You warmed our hearts, gave light to our minds,
And beauty to our spirits.
We gave you our love, wrapped you in our care,
caressed you with our smiles.
Now you are gone.
We grieve. We miss you so much.
The loving memories of you will keep you
Forever close to us – in our hearts,
our thoughts, our souls….
Author Unknown
Your Life Has Meaning
Your life has meaning when you have lived well, laughed often and loved much….
when you have looked for the best in others and given the best you have.
To leave the world a bit better,
To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived!
This is to succeed!
Author Unknown