Funeral poems provide comfort and hope to those grieving the loss of a loved one by reminding them that death is a natural part of life and that strength and healing can be found even in the face of loss.
The following funeral poetry offers a way to express and process grief, with an encouraging tone to lift spirits, and cover themes of parting, passing, sorrow, and healing in a manner that brings happiness and inspiration.
When selecting an Inspirational Funeral Poem, Look for the following themes:
- Offer a message of hope for the mourners.
- To celebrate the love that the deceased shared.
- Express gratitude for the life of the departed.
- Offer a message of peace to those who are grieving.
The Peace Of Wild Things By Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Note: "The Peace of Wild Things" speaks to the restorative power of nature and the peace it can bring to those troubled by the world's concerns and stresses. Wendell Berry finds solace in the beauty and simplicity of the natural world, where wild animals do not worry about the future and the still waters offer a sense of calm.
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.
Note: The poem offers the idea that death is not the end and that the person who has passed away is still present in some form. "Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die" reinforces this message and offers grieving people a sense of comfort and hope.
Remember Me By Christina Georgina 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.
Note: Rossetti reminds us that death is a natural part of life and that it is essential to remember and cherish the memories of loved ones who have passed away. The poem emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and making the most of our time with loved ones while they are still with us.
When I Am Dead, My Dearest – Christina Georgina Rossetti
When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.
I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.
Note: The poem encourages the reader not to be sad or mournful after the death of a loved one but rather to carry on with life and find joy and beauty in the world. The bereaved are finding solace in the idea that death is not the end and that the person who has passed away will always be remembered.
I Will Not Say Goodbye – Unknown
I will not say goodbye,
for that would be the end;
I will not say adieu,
for that means forever too.
I will simply say farewell,
for that is not the end;
I will just say so long,
for that’s not goodbye, but until we meet again.
Note: This poem suggests that death is not the end but rather a temporary separation. The speaker refuses to say "goodbye" or "adieu," which suggests finality, and instead chooses to say "farewell" and "so long," which imply a temporary separation.
Death Be Not Proud By John Donne
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
Note: The poem "Death, Be Not Proud" is uplifting because it challenges the idea that death is powerful and to be feared and instead suggests that it is actually weak and powerless. John Donne addresses death as if it were a person and asserts that it is not capable of killing the soul or causing real harm.
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 wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor ever eagle flew—
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
Note: Overall, the poem could be used as a eulogy to celebrate the life of the person who has passed away and to encourage those who are grieving to find hope and meaning in the world around them. - "Put out my hand, and touched the face of God" suggests a sense of spiritual connection and transcendence, which could bring comfort and hope to those who are grieving.
When I Must Leave You – Helen Steiner Rice
When I must leave you for a little while
Please do not grieve and shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you through the years
But start out bravely with a gallant smile;
And for my sake and in my name
Live on and do all things the same.
Feed not your loneliness on empty days,
But fill each waking hour in useful ways,
Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;
And never, never be afraid to die,
For I am waiting for you in the sky.
Note: The poem promotes the idea of finding hope and meaning in the face of loss and grief and encourages readers to find ways to support and comfort themselves and others.
He Is Gone by David Harkins
He is gone
You can shed tears that he is gone
or you can smile because he has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
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 him and only that he is gone
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Note: The poem encourages those who are grieving to find ways to cope with their loss in a way that is meaningful and supportive for them, whether through spiritual practices, seeking support from loved ones, or finding joy in the present.
Do Not Remember Me with Tears
Do not remember me with tears
But with a smile and happy years
Recall the joys, the pleasure, the laughter
That we shared in life hereafter
Do not feel sorrow for me
For I am not in any misery
I am in a place of peace and rest
Where no sorrows, worries, or stress
Do not think of me in grief
But of me, with joy and relief
For I have broken free of these earthy chains
And now in Heaven, I will remain
Do not cry for me my dear
But have sweet, fond memories of me here
For I am not in pain, I am free
And I will always be with thee
Note: The poem suggests that the person has passed away to a place of peace and rest and that they are no longer experiencing the difficulties and hardships of life on earth. The poem also emphasizes the idea that the person is still with the reader in spirit, and that their memory can bring joy and comfort.
If I Should Go – 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.
Note: "If I Should Go" by Joyce Grenfell encourages us to continue living and finding joy in life, even in the face of loss and grief. The deceased ask the bereaved not to over-dramatize their death or to create a sentimental or overly mournful atmosphere but rather to be themselves and to carry on with their lives as usual.
The Journey
Life is a journey, an adventure to be explored
A winding road of wonders to behold
The journey of life is made up of moments,
Some that make us laugh, some that make us cry
But each moment is an experience, a lesson to be learned
The journey of life is not always easy,
There will be bumps along the way
But there will also be joy and beauty,
The kind that takes your breath away
So keep your head held high and your heart full of hope
Cherish the moments and make the most of them
For life is a journey, an adventure to be explored
A winding road of wonders to behold.
Note: This funeral poem is uplifting in that it encourages the reader to view life as a journey full of experiences and lessons to be learned rather than simply an end. Overall, the poem promotes the importance of making the most of every moment of your life.
