Words often seem to fail us when we’re coping with grief. Finding a way to express our emotions in the face of losing a loved one can feel like an impossible task. That's where funeral poems come in.
These beautifully written verses offer a way to express the complex emotions of grief, love, and remembrance in a deeply personal and poignant manner.
We understand the pain that comes with loss. You're searching for a way to articulate everything you’re feeling — the love, the cherished memories, and the deep sense of absence.
This collection of 25 beautiful funeral poems is here to help you find those words. Whether you need something emotional that captures the sorrow of your heart or an uplifting verse that celebrates a life well-lived, these poems will help during this difficult time.
How To Choose a Poem for Funerals
Selecting a funeral poem is more than just finding a few lines that sound nice.
It involves reflecting on the personality of the deceased, considering who their favorite poets were, and thinking about what would resonate most with the audience.
Let’s try to understand the different types of funeral poems and make sure the poem you choose becomes a meaningful tribute that reflects the unique life of the deceased.
Here are 4 types:
- Traditional poems: These often have a timeless quality, drawing on themes of loss, remembrance, and the afterlife.
- Contemporary poems: Can offer a more personal touch, reflecting modern sensibilities and capturing the essence of the individual.
- Religious poems: May offer comfort and hope through faith-based themes.
- Secular poems: Provide a broader range of expressions, suitable for those of any or no particular belief system.
When making a choice you want to consider the person. Think about their personality. Reflect on their spirit and unique qualities. Was their humor infectious? Their strength admirable? Choose a poem that resonates with these characteristics.
Did your loved one have a favorite poet? Including a verse from their preferred author can create a deeply personal touch.
You also want to give some thought to the audience. Who will be attending? Consider the service's overall tone and the audience's comfort level. A humorous poem might be perfect for a close family gathering, but less appropriate for a larger, more formal setting.
Factor in the location — where will the service be held? A traditional religious setting might lend itself well to a more formal poem, while a nature-inspired service could be complemented by a poem reflecting the beauty of the natural world.
Top 25 Beautiful Funeral Poems
Emotional poems
1. “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” by Mary Elizabeth Frye
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 sunlight 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 circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
This timeless poem offers comfort by suggesting that our loved ones are always with us, present in nature's beauty and serenity.
2. “Remember” by Christina Rossetti
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 I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
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.
Rossetti’s poem speaks to the heart, asking for remembrance without sorrow, reflecting a peaceful acceptance of life’s cycle.
3. “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Tennyson’s poem for funerals uses the metaphor of a sea voyage to describe the journey of life and death, conveying a sense of peace and acceptance.
4. “When I Am Gone” by Mrs. Lyman Hancock
When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.
Forget unkind words I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun.
Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day.
Then forget to grieve for my going
I would not have you sad for a day
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay.
And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best
This poem encourages those left behind to focus on the joy and love shared, rather than the sadness of loss.
5. “If I Should Go” by Joyce Grenfell
If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone,
Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Weep if you must, parting is hell,
But life goes on,
So sing as well.
Grenfell’s words remind us to carry on with the same love and joy we shared with the departed, celebrating their life with everyday normalcy.
6. “Gone From My Sight” by Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying.
Van Dyke’s poem beautifully describes the departure of a loved one as a journey, offering comfort with the thought that they are still with us, just beyond our sight.
7. “Afterglow” by Helen Lowrie Marshall
I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
Marshall’s poem is a touching reminder to focus on the happy memories left behind, rather than the sadness of the loss.
8. “Farewell My Friends” by Rabindranath Tagore
It was beautiful
As long as it lasted
The journey of my life.
I have no regrets
Whatsoever said
The pain I’ll leave behind.
Those dear hearts
Who love and care.
And the strings pulling
At the heart and soul.
The strong arms
That held me up
When my own strength
Let me down.
At the turning of my life
I came across
Good friends,
Friends who stood by me
Even when time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell My friends
I smile and
Bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears
For I need them not
All I need is your smile.
If you feel sad
Do think of me
For that’s what I’ll like
When you live in the hearts
Of those you love
Remember then
You never die.
Tagore’s poem is a heartfelt farewell, acknowledging the beauty of life and the inevitability of parting.
9. “There is No Night Without a Dawning” by Helen Steiner Rice
No winter without a spring
And beyond the dark horizon
Our hearts will once more sing
For those who leave us for a while
Have only gone away
Out of a restless, care worn world
Into a brighter day
Rice’s poem offers hope and reassurance, emphasizing that sorrow is temporary and brighter days lie ahead.
10. “To Those Whom I Love & Those Who Love Me” by Anonymous
When I'm gone, release me, let me go:
I have so many things to see and do.
Don't tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you love.
You can only guess how much
You gave me in happiness.
I thank you for your love you each have shown.
But it is time I travel alone.
So grieve awhile for me, grieve you must:
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a little while we must part.
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I'll come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
If you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All my love around you soft and clear.
And then when you must come this way alone,
I will greet you with a smile and a
"Welcome Home"
This anonymous poem encourages the bereaved to find peace in the memories of their loved one and to live joyfully in their honor.
Uplifting poems
1. “The Dash" by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own,
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read,
with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent YOUR dash?
Ellis’s poem emphasizes the importance of how we live our lives, focusing on the ‘dash’ between our birth and death dates.
2. “Miss Me But Let Me Go” by Anonymous
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for 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 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 we are lonely and sick at heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
Miss me, but let me go.
This poem encourages loved ones to let go with peace and remember the joy shared.
3. “Success” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and
the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure
the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one's self;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and
sung with exultation;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you
have lived -
This is to have succeeded.
Emerson’s poem defines success in terms of love, respect, and kindness, providing a positive reflection on a life well-lived.
4. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Frost’s poem is about the choices we make in life, inspiring reflection on the paths taken and their impact.
5. “A Song of Living” by Amelia Burr
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky.
I have run and leaped with the rain; I have taken the wind to my breast.
My cheeks like a drowsy child to the face of the earth I have pressed.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I have kissed young love on the lips, I have heard his song to the end,
I have struck my hand like a seal in the loyal hand of a friend.
I have known the peace of heaven, the comfort of work done well.
I have longed for death in the darkness and risen alive out of hell.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I gave a share of my soul to the world, when and where my course is run.
I know that another shall finish the task I surely must leave undone.
I know that no flower, nor flint was in vain on the path I trod.
As one looks on a face through a window, through life I have looked on God,
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
Burr’s poem celebrates a life filled with love and joy, offering a positive perspective on death.
6. “The Journey” by Mary Oliver
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.
Oliver’s poem is about self-discovery and courage, inspiring a hopeful outlook on life’s journey.
7. “She Is Gone” by David Harkins
You can shed tears that she is gone,
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
Or you can be full of the love that 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 is 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 would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Harkins’s poem offers a choice between mourning and celebrating the life of a loved one, providing an uplifting message.
8. “Death is Nothing at All” by Henry Scott-Holland
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.
Call me by my old 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 my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Scott-Holland’s poem reassures us that death is just a transition, not an end, and our loved ones remain close.
9. “Gone Fishin” by Delmar Pepper
I've finished life's chores assigned to me,
So put me on a boat headed out to sea.
Please send along my fishing pole
For I've been invited to the fishin' hole.
Where every day is a day to fish,
To fill your heart with every wish.
Don't worry, or feel sad for me,
I'm fishin' with the Master of the sea.
We will miss each other for awhile,
But you will come and bring your smile.
That won't be long you will see,
Till we're together you and me.
To all of those that think of me,
Be happy as I go out to sea.
If others wonder why I'm missin'
Just tell 'em I've gone fishin'
Pepper’s poem uses the metaphor of fishing to describe a peaceful afterlife, providing a comforting and uplifting perspective.
10. “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee Jr.
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high unsurpassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
Magee’s poem celebrates the joy of flying and the freedom of the skies, offering an uplifting vision of the afterlife.
Reflective poems
1. “The Ship” by Bishop Brent
I am standing on the seashore.
A ship sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean.
She is an object - and I stand watching her
Till at last she fades from the horizon,
And someone at my side says, “She is gone!” Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all;
She is just as large in the masts,
hull and spars as she was when I saw her,
And just as able to bear her load of living freight
to its destination.
The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me,
not in her;
And just at the moment when someone at my side says,
"She is gone",
There are others who are watching her coming,
And other voices take up a glad shout,
"Here she comes" – and that ... is dying
This poem uses the metaphor of a ship's journey to explore the transition from life to death, providing a comforting reflection on the continuation of existence.
2. “Success” by Bessie Anderson Stanley
He has achieved success
who has lived well,
laughed often, and loved much;
who has enjoyed the trust of
pure women,
the respect of intelligent men and
the love of little children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better than he found it
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem or a rescued soul;
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty
or failed to express it;
who has always looked for the best in others and
given them the best he had;
whose life was an inspiration;
whose memory a benediction.
Stanley’s poem celebrates a life well-lived, highlighting the values of love, laughter, and respect.
3. “When Great Trees Fall" by Maya Angelou
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.
When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.
Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance,
fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of
dark, cold
caves.
And when great souls die,
after a period, peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
Angelou’s poem reflects on the profound impact of losing great individuals and the lasting legacy they leave behind.
4. “The Parting Glass” (Traditional Irish song)
Oh all the time that e’er I spent,
I spent it in good company;
And any harm that e’er I’ve done,
I trust it was to none but me;
May those I’ve loved through all the years
Have memories now they’ll e’er recall.
So fill to me the parting glass,
Goodnight and joy be with you all.
Of all the comrades that e’er I had
Are sorry for my going away;
And all the loved ones that e’er I had
Would wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should leave and you should not
I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call
Goodnight and joy be with you all.
Of all good times that e’er we shared,
I leave to you fond memory,
And for all the friendship that e’er we had
I ask you to remember me;
And when you sit and stories tell,
I’ll be with you and help recall.
So fill to me the parting glass,
God bless and joy be with you all.
This traditional poem is often sung as a farewell, reflecting on life, friendship, and parting with grace and warmth.
5. “God's Garden” by Anonymous
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, “Peace be thine”.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
This poem offers a comforting image of the departed finding peace and rest in a beautiful, divine garden.
How To Incorporate Poems Into a Funeral or Memorial Service
Funeral poems are a way to personalize a service and create a lasting memory for those who attend. Here are a few ways to incorporate goodbye poems about death into your tribute:
- Do a reading during the service: Select a trusted reader with a clear, calming voice. Briefly introduce the poem and its significance to the deceased or the overall message. Ensure a quiet and respectful atmosphere for the reading.
- Include them in printed programs: Include the poem in the service program alongside the order of events. This allows attendees to follow along during the reading or revisit the poem later for reflection. Consider adding a brief note about the poem's source or its connection to the deceased.
- Display poems alongside photos and mementos: Create a designated space where the chosen poem can be displayed. This can be a simple easel with the poem printed on high-quality paper or a framed piece with the poem alongside photos. The display becomes a beautiful focal point, allowing attendees to engage with the poem at their own pace.
Next Steps: Let Meadow Help You Plan a Meaningful Memorial
We hope this helps you with everything you need to find the right funeral poems. Here at Meadow, we specialize in compassionate and meaningful memorial planning.
Our comprehensive packages and support help you create a memorial service to reflect your loved one's spirit. We allow you to honor their memory on your terms.
- We’re with you at every step. A brief call allows us to understand your needs and preferences. We'll then pair you with a professional memorial planner who will be your dedicated guide throughout the process.
- We focus on what matters. Our planner will handle all the logistics, from venue selection to vendor coordination, so you can focus on what matters most — spending time with loved ones.
- We take care of the details. Your dedicated planner will manage everything from food and flowers, sending invitations, booking catering, and managing your photo slideshow for the event.
- We customize. Tell us about your loved one's personality and interests. We create unique events to reflect their life for a truly personal celebration.
- We’re transparent. Our prices are clear and easy to understand, starting from $1,295 for a cremation only and you can add on a memorial service package starting at $1,970.
Let us help you create a beautiful and lasting tribute to your loved one.
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