Choosing the perfect funeral poem
Funeral poems are often chosen to help express thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to put into words. They can offer comfort, reflection and a sense of connection during a service. Some people select a well-known poem, while others choose something simple and personal. This guide brings together popular funeral poems and themes, along with gentle guidance to help you decide what feels right for your loved one’s farewell. There is no right or wrong choice – only what feels meaningful to you and those attending.
More funeral poems
Death is too negative for me
So I'll be popping off
For a long cup of tea
Do splash out
On two bags in the pot
And for my god's sake
Keep the water hot
Please pick the biggest mug
You can find
Because size really does matter
At this time
I'll pass on the Lapsang
With that Souchong
And that stuff with bergamot
And stick with my favourite friend
You know the English breakfast blend
Breakfast! thanks for reminding me
There's just time before I fail
To stand on ceremony
(Two rashers of best smoked back
Should keep me smelling sweet
Up the smokestack)
So, mother, put the kettle on for me
It's time, mother, for my long cup of tea
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 me to the parting glass,
Goodnight, and joy be with you all.
~
Oh 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.
If I should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye,
For I have left my heart with you,
So don't you ever cry.
~
The love that's deep within me,
Shall reach you from the stars,
You'll feel it from the heavens,
And it will heal the scars.
If I should die 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.
Feel no guilt in laughter, he’d know how much you care.
Feel no sorrow in a smile that he is not here to share.
You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to.
He’d hope that you could carry on the way you always do.
So, talk about the good times and the way 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 him back as clearly as though he were still here,
And fills you with the feeling that he is always near.
For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart
And he will live forever locked safely within your heart.
O soft embalmer of the still midnight!
Shutting with careful fingers and benign
Our gloom-pleased eyes, embower’d from the light,
Enshaded in forgetfulness divine;
O soothest Sleep! if so it please thee, close,
In midst of this thine hymn, my willing eyes,
Or wait the amen, ere thy poppy throws
Around my bed its lulling charities;
Then save me, or the passèd day will shine
Upon my pillow, breeding many woes;
Save me from curious conscience, that still lords
Its strength for darkness, burrowing like a mole;
Turn the key deftly in the oilèd wards,
And seal the hushèd casket of my soul.
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.
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.
Do not shed tears when I have gone but smile instead because I have lived. Do not shut your eyes and pray to God that I'll come back but open your eyes and see all that I have left behind.
I know your heart will be empty because you cannot see me but still I want you to be full of the love we shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live only for yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of what happened between us yesterday.
You can remember me and grieve that I have gone or you can cherish my memory and let it live on.
You can cry and lose yourself, become distraught and turn your back on the world or you can do what I want - smile, wipe away the tears, learn to love again and go on.
Don’t think of me in black and grey
but as forests and the oceans spray,
lemons ripening in the sun,
rivers racing then calm and still.
Remember redness in my cheeks
after standing in the breeze
or from long walks in the snow -
Remember me, the one you know.
~
Don’t dream of me in black and grey
think of me as strawberries,
and raindrops glistening in the trees.
Remember orange in my laugh,
and pansies, pinks and violets.
Don’t picture me in black and grey,
that’s not who I was or am today.
~
Don’t see me as a ghostly shadow,
or something that you just imagine,
don’t see me as black and grey,
not now, tomorrow or yesterday.
Remember gold in my kisses,
turquoise music, silver wishes,
beating hearts as we cuddled,
aqua reflections in purple puddles.
All I ask – remember me,
who I was and will still be.
Janet Lees, an award-winning poet and artist, says, ‘A poem can say so much in so few words, expressing something huge and universal in an instant.’
If you’d like to include some poetry at your loved one’s funeral, find out how to pick the perfect poem below – plus some tips on poetry readings for funerals.
Why Poems Are Chosen for Funerals
Many families include poems for funerals because they can say something heartfelt in a few short lines. At a time when emotions may feel overwhelming, a poem can:
- express love, grief or gratitude
- create a quiet, reflective moment in the service
- honour a relationship or shared memory
- bring comfort to those listening
A funeral poem may form part of a eulogy, or it may be read on its own. Some people choose traditional verses, while others prefer something contemporary or even lightly humorous if that reflects the person who has died.
How to choose a funeral poem
Your loved one may have asked for a specific poem at their funeral, but if not, where do you turn if you’re not usually a poetry fan?
‘A good place to start is an anthology of remembrance poems,’ says Professor Atkinson. ‘Read through and find one that feels right. It could be about how you remember your loved one or something they might’ve liked to hear at their funeral.’
This can be quite an emotional process. Janet says, ‘The best way to choose is to hold the person you’ve lost in your heart and see which poems speak to you.’ Still not sure what poem to pick? See our selection of popular poems for funerals at the end of this article.
What Makes a Funeral Poem Meaningful
A meaningful funeral poem often comes down to connection. It may feel right because it:
- reflects the personality or values of the person who has died
- resonates with family and friends attending the service
- carries a tone that suits the kind of farewell being planned
For some, that might mean a classic poem about remembrance. For others, it could be a few simple lines that capture how much someone will be missed. Meaning does not depend on length or literary knowledge. Even a short poem for a funeral can feel deeply personal.
Popular Funeral Poems and Themes
When people search for funeral poems in the UK, they are often looking for themes that reflect love, memory and saying goodbye. Below are some of the most common approaches families take when choosing a poem for a funeral.
Popular Funeral Poems and Themes
These poems focus on the bond shared with the person who has died and the sadness of parting. They often speak about enduring love, treasured memories and the impact someone had on others.
Well-known examples include:
- Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
- Remember by Christina Rossetti
Poems in this theme can feel gentle and reflective, offering comfort without needing to explain grief.
Some funeral poems focus on the idea that a person’s influence continues, even after death. They may speak about memory, spirit, nature or the way someone lives on in those who loved them.
Poems often searched for in this category include:
- She Is Gone (He Is Gone)
- All Is Well
These verses can bring reassurance, especially for families who want to focus on gratitude and the lasting effect of a life well lived.
Not every service is solemn in tone. Some families choose uplifting funeral poems that celebrate character, humour or resilience. A positive or gently hopeful poem can reflect someone’s outlook on life.
“Uplifting” does not mean avoiding sadness. Instead, it can mean choosing words that highlight warmth, gratitude or treasured moments. Short uplifting funeral poems are sometimes chosen because they are easier to read aloud and feel less overwhelming on the day.
How to Choose the Right Funeral Poem
If your loved one left specific wishes, those can guide your choice. If not, it may help to:
- think about their personality and what mattered to them
- consider the tone of the service – traditional, informal, religious or secular
- read a few poems slowly and notice which feel most fitting
You do not need to be familiar with poetry. Many people find that one particular funeral poem simply feels right.
Choosing a Poem That Reflects the Person
You might reflect on:
what made them unique the qualities others admired in them shared memories or phrases that feel significant
A poem does not have to capture an entire life. Even a short poem for a funeral can honour one meaningful aspect of who they were.
Religious and Non-Religious Funeral Poems
Some poems include references to faith, heaven or eternal rest. Others are entirely secular and focus on memory, nature or love. If the service includes religious elements, a faith-based poem may feel appropriate. In a non-religious or humanist service, families often choose verses centred on remembrance or legacy. There is flexibility, and many poems can sit comfortably in different settings.
Short and Simple Poems for Funerals
Short poems for funerals are often chosen because they are:
- easier to read aloud
- suitable for children or multiple readers
- less emotionally overwhelming
A brief poem can still carry powerful meaning. Lines that speak about love, goodbye or peaceful rest are frequently selected for their simplicity and clarity.
If you are looking for a short poem for a funeral, consider whether you would prefer something reflective, hopeful or centred on gratitude.
Funeral Poems for Specific Relationships
Some people search for funeral poems by relationship because the bond feels distinct.
Funeral Poems for Mum
Funeral poems for mum often focus on nurturing, guidance and lasting love. They may speak about kindness, strength or the comfort of a mother’s presence. Not every relationship is the same, and a poem can reflect complexity as well as affection. Choose something that feels true to your experience.
Funeral Poems for Dad
Funeral poems for dad sometimes centre on protection, wisdom or quiet support. Others highlight humour, resilience or shared adventures.
As with any relationship, the most important thing is honesty. A short poem for dad who passed away may feel just as meaningful as a longer verse.
Reading a Poem at a Funeral
If you are planning to read a funeral poem aloud, it can help to practise gently beforehand. Reading it out loud once or twice may help you become familiar with the rhythm of the words.
It is natural to feel nervous. Pausing, taking a breath or becoming emotional are all completely acceptable. Those attending will understand. There is no expectation to deliver a flawless performance. Simply reading with sincerity is enough.
Frequently Asked Questions About Funeral Poems
A good poem to read at a funeral is one that reflects the person who has died and feels meaningful to you. Popular choices include well-known classics, but a simple, personal poem can be just as appropriate.
“Beautiful” is personal. Some people are drawn to traditional verses about remembrance, while others prefer modern poems that focus on memory and love. The most beautiful poem is often the one that resonates most strongly with those closest to the person.
Uplifting funeral readings often focus on gratitude, legacy and cherished memories. They may gently acknowledge sadness while highlighting the positive impact someone had on others.
