Popular poems and quotes for funerals

Funeral poems and quotes have the power to deeply touch our hearts when we read or listen to them. They provide a way for us to express our emotions and find solace in connecting with others. Although funeral poems often have a somber tone, there is also a place for uplifting poems. In this blog, we will delve into the themes of uplifting funeral poems and discover which ones are the most beloved.

What are they about?

Funerals are a time for both grieving and celebrating the life of a loved one. Uplifting funeral poems play a crucial role in this process. These poems offer a sense of comfort and a happier undertone for those who are mourning the loss of someone special. They often touch upon themes of hope, love, and peace, aiming to provide solace during this difficult time.

In fact, some uplifting funeral poems even incorporate a touch of humour, adding a light-hearted element to the proceedings. When selecting a poem or quote for a funeral, it’s important to consider what your loved one would have appreciated and how you can best honour their memory. If they had a fondness for laughter and jokes, why not include a poem that reflects their sense of humour? For more guidance on writing a tribute for a loved one’s funeral, check out our comprehensive guide.

Non-religious

A humanist funeral is a ceremony conducted by a humanist celebrant that does not involve any religious elements. Instead, it emphasizes the celebration of the person’s life. During this type of funeral, personal anecdotes, accomplishments, and the impact the individual had on others are shared, providing a genuine portrayal of their life.

Although some humanist funerals may have a solemn atmosphere, others are more lively to truly commemorate the person’s life in a positive manner. Non-religious music, poems, and quotes often play a significant role in these ceremonies.

Popular poems for funerals

She is Gone (He is Gone)

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

She Is Gone (He Is Gone) – David Harkins

Remember Me

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.

Remember Me – Margaret Mead

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.

Don’t Cry For Me – Anon

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep

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’s 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.

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep – Mary Frye

Let Me Go

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.

Let Me Go – Christina Rossetti

Angel

Tear drops, slow and steady, The pain so real and true,
God took another angel, And that angel, dear, was you.
Angel wings, upon the clouds, Your body softly sleeps,
Hush now little angel, No more tears you have to weep.
Little prayers are sent to you, The short life you led;
Your family will never forget you, So rest your little head.
I know God will look after you, Now you are truly alive,
Your spirit soars beyond the moon, Your legacy will survive.
You’re beautiful, you’re endless, Now stretch your wings and fly,
You’re loved by so many, It will never be goodbye.
Close your pretty eyes, No more tears, just go and rest,
Let your soul lie peacefully, We know you did your best.

Angel – Anon

Come With Me

God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be
So He put His arms around you
And whispered ‘Come with Me.’
With tearful eyes
We watched you suffer
And saw you fade away,
Although we loved you dearly
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove
He only takes the best.
It’s lonesome here without you,
We miss you more each day,
Life doesn’t seem the same
Since you’ve gone away.
When days are sad and lonely
And everything goes wrong,
We seem to hear you whisper
‘Cheer up and carry on.’
Each time we see your picture,
You seem to smile and say
‘Don’t cry, I’m in God’s keeping
We’ll meet again someday.’
You never said ‘I’m leaving’,
You never said goodbye,
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knew why.
A million times we needed you,
A million times we cried,
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still ,
In our hearts you hold a place,
That no one could ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.

Come With Me – Rhonda Braswell

Gone, But Not Forgotten

Don’t think of her/him as gone away
Her/His journey’s just begun,
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one.
Just think of her/him 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/he must be wishing
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away.
And think of her/him as living
In the hearts of those she/he touched
For nothing loved is ever lost
And she/he was loved so much.

Gone But Not Forgotten – Ellen Brenneman

How Did They Live?

Not, how did they die, but how did they live?
Not, what did they gain, but what did they give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a person as a person, regardless of birth.
Not, what was their church, nor what was their creed?
But had they befriended those really in need?
Were they ever ready, with a word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not, what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when they passed away?

How Did They Live – Anon