Funeral Verses and Poems

EACH SERVICE IS UNIQUE.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE A VERSE OR POEM, TO BE READ BY  A FAMILY MEMBER, FRIEND OR BY JAN HERSELF,
THEN HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES YOU MAY FEEL 
WOULD BE MEANINGFUL FOR YOUR LOVED ONE.

She/He Is Gone – David Harkins

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

***

​

Remember Me – Margaret Mead

To the living, I am gone,

To the sorrowful, I will never return,

To the angry, I was cheated,

But to the happy, I am at peace,

And to the faithful, I have never left.

I cannot speak, but I can listen.

I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.

So as you stand upon a shore gazing at a beautiful sea,

As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity,

Remember me.

Remember me in your heart:

Your thoughts, and your memories,

Of the times we loved,

The times we cried,

The times we fought,

The times we laughed.

For if you always think of me, I will never have gone.

*** 

The Legacy – Sarah-Jane Brooks

The song of the wind in the tree

The hang and heave of the sea

The cry of a bird on the wing

This is my legacy.

The sun on a frosting of dew

The rain when it comes on cue

The greening and the shining

I leave all this to you.

***

Do not Stand at my Grave and Weep - 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.

*** 

Living Each Day - Lisa Kitson

Now I am gone, now I am lost to you

Find me again just as you used to do:

In the house – when you go from room to room you’ll find

The bits and pieces that I’ve left behind.

In the street – of course . . . I’ve stopped to window-shop;

You carry on, my love, I’ll catch you up.

At night – as darkness slowly fills the sky:

I’m late; don’t fret; I’ll be there by and by.

At morning – when the sky is still blue-black,

I had to go out early: I’ll be back.

In sunshine – as you peer into the glare –

A shape that seems to be both light and air.

In rain – as you look out and people pass –

One leaves a reflection printed on the glass.

In the garden – when you doze away the hours

I pass with a smile on my face, and my arms full of flowers.

  ***

Life Must Go On

Grieve for me, for I would grieve for you.

Then brush away the sorrow and the tears

Life is not over, but begins anew,

with courage you must greet the coming years.

To live forever in the past is wrong;

and can only cause you misery and pain.

Dwell not on memories overlong,

with others you must share and care again.

Reach out and comfort those who comfort you;

recall the years, but only for a while.

Nurse not your loneliness; but live again.

Forget not. Remember with a smile.

***

​

How would we know the sun was bright if we never saw the rain?

How would we know we feel so well, if we never suffered pain?

How would we know we were happy, if we never had heartaches to bear?

And how would we know we were needed, if we never had someone to care

How would we know what faith is, if nothing ever went wrong?

How would we know what rest is, If the road had not been long?

And how would we know what laughter is, if we never shed some tears

And how would we know what courage is, if we never witnessed fears?

How would we know what hate is, if we haven’t given love?

And how would we know what life is, if there were no love.

***

Weep Not for Me – Constance Jenkins

Weep not for me though I am gone into the gentle night

Grieve if you will, but not for long upon my soul's sweet flight.

There is no need for tears, I am at peace, my soul is at rest

There is no pain, I suffer not, for with your love I was so blessed.

I am in a place of comfort the fear now is gone.

Put those things out of your thoughts, in your memory I live on.

Remember not my fight for breath, remember not the strife

Please do not dwell upon my death but celebrate my life

***

We Will Remember You…

In the rising of the sun and in its going down,

In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of Winter,

We will remember you

In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of Spring,

In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of Summer,

We will remember you

In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of Autumn,

In the beginning of the year and when it ends,

We will remember you

When we are weary and in need of strength,

When we are lost and sick at heart,

We will remember you

When we have joys, we yearn to share

As long as we live, you too will live

For you are a part of us as long as we remember you

***

Death is Nothing at All – Henry Scott-Holland

Death is nothing at all.

It does not count.

I have only slipped away into the next room.

Nothing has happened.

Everything remains exactly as it was.

I am I, and you are you,

and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by the old familiar name.

Speak of 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 that 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 an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was.

There is absolute and unbroken continuity.

What is this death but a negligible accident?

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 round the corner.

All is well.

Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.

One brief moment and all will be as it was before.

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

***

​

Think of Me Then – Asa James

​

On a day of rain when you sit indoors

By the fire with a book, as I loved to do,

And the storm wind roars

Think of me then.

As you walk by the shore when the sun is high

And the sea is blue, as I loved to do

And the seagulls cry

Think of me then.

When you’re skimming stones in the fading light

Choosing them smooth, as I loved to do,

And they skip out of sight

Think of me then.

When you sit in the garden in summer and keep

Watch with the night, as I loved to do

Go to sleep.

Dream of me then.

 ***

​

Let Me Go - Christina Rossetti

​

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 for long

And not with your head bowed low

Remember the love that once we shared

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take

And each must go alone.

It's all part of the master plan

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the friends we know.

Laugh at all the things we used to do

Miss me, but let me go.

 ***

​

I’m There Inside Your Heart 

​

Right now I’m in a different place

And though we seem apart

I’m closer than I ever was,

I’m there inside your heart.

I’m with you when you greet each day

And while the sun shines bright

I’m there to share the sunsets, too

I’m with you every night.

I’m with you when the times are good

To share a laugh or two,

And if a tear should start to fall

I’ll still be there for you.

And when that day arrives

That we no longer are apart,

I’ll smile and hold you close to me,

Forever in my heart.

 ***

​

Funeral Blues - WH Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,

Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.

Silence the pianos and with muffled drum.

Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead

Scribbling on the sky the message 'He is Dead'.

Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,

Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,

My working week and my Sunday rest,

My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;

I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,

Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,

Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;

For nothing now can ever come to any good.

 ***

​

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.

***

​

Afterglow -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.

***

​

A Long Cup of Tea - Michael Ashby

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

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 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

*** 

​

Irish Blessing

May the roads rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

May the rains fall soft upon fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

***

​

Gone From My Sight- Henry van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore.

A ship at my side spreads her white sails

to the morning 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 and 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 place of destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone

at my side 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.

***

​

You’ve Just Walked on Ahead Of Me -Joyce Grenfell

You’ve just walked on ahead of me

And I’ve got to understand

You must release the ones you love

And let go of their hand.

I try and cope the best I can

But I’m missing you so much

If I could only see you

And once more feel your touch.

Yes, you’ve just walked on ahead of me

Don’t worry I’ll be fine

But now and then I swear I feel

Your hand slip into mine.

***

​

The Life That I Have - Leo Marks

The life that I have

Is all that I have

And the life that I have

Is yours

The love that I have

Of the life that I have

Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have

A rest I shall have

Yet death will be but a pause

For the peace of my years

In the long green grass

Will be yours and yours and yours

​

***

​

In Memoriam -William Morecomb

For a second you were flying

Like you always wanted to

Now you’ll fly forever

In skies of azure blue

We’ll see your smile in every ray

Of sunshine after rain

And hear the echo of your laughter

Over all the pain

The world’s a little quieter now

The colours have lost their hue

The birds are singing softly

And our hearts are missing you

Each time we see a little cloud

Or a rainbow soaring high

We’ll think of you and gently

Wipe a tear from our eye

***

​

His / Her Journey’s Just Begun - Ellen Brenneman

Don’t think of her as gone away

her journey’s just begun,

life holds so many facets

this earth is only one.

Just think of her as resting

from the sorrows and the tears

in a place of warmth and comfort

where there are no days and years.

Think how she must be wishing

that we could know today

how nothing but our sadness

can really pass away.

And think of her as living

in the hearts of those she touched…

for nothing loved is ever lost

and she was loved so much.

***

​

When I'm Gone - 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.

***

​

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me - David Romano

When tomorrow starts without me

and I’m not here to see

If the sun should rise and find your eyes

filled with tears for me

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry

the way you did today

While thinking of the many things

we didn’t get to say

I know how much you love me

as much as I love you

And each time you think of me

I know you’ll miss me too

When tomorrow starts without me

don’t think we’re far apart

For every time you think of me

I’m right there in your heart

***

​

To Those Whom I love & Those Who Love Me

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.

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 alone,

I'll greet you with a smile and a 'Welcome Home'.

 ***

​

My Dad – Jan Mattison

You ask me what does my dad mean to me,

The first man I loved as I sat on his knee

Made me chuckle with glee.

Entranced by his face and his twinkling eyes

Through those eyes, the magic of life I could see.

My Dad was my teacher, protector and friend

He cared, he was there and his love had no end.

If we were apart, his help he would send.

Wherever, whenever I needed him there

He appeared, with advice and such genuine care.

My Dad was my guide, to keep me in line

When troubles arose and life lost its rhyme,

He helped me to shine.

A man to look up to, listen to, hear,

With my hand in his, I had nothing to fear.

With a piece of my heart, my dad is now gone,

But the years full of love and fond memories live on

In my mind and my soul,

In the words that I speak, in the songs that I sing.

So, ask me again - what my dad means to me

My Dad was my world; my everything.