Top 10 Funny Funeral Poems
In the face of loss, humour can be a healing balm, a way to celebrate a life lived with joy, laughter, and an indomitable spirit.
For those who lived their lives with a sense of humour, a funny funeral poem can be a fitting tribute, encapsulating their approach to life and death.
Here are ten funny funeral poems that offer a light-hearted farewell, adding a moment of levity to the proceedings and honouring the deceased's wish to leave their loved ones smiling.
1. "Warning" by Jenny Joseph
“When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.”
Joseph's poem is a declaration of living life on one's own terms, full of whimsy and a promise of the mischiefs yet to come in old age. When someone dies, humour sometimes helps you deal with the loss on your own terms.
2. "Resume" by Dorothy Parker
“Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.”
Parker’s sharp wit shines through in this poem, making light of life's trials and the absurdity of escaping them. Humour at a funeral is not for everyone, but it could celebrate the life of someone who always had a smile to share or a joke to tell. Ask your funeral director for help or assistance in planning a funeral.
3. "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas, humorously misquoted
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at happy hour;”
A playful take on Thomas's iconic poem, this version imagines a less solemn, more spirited resistance to the end.
4. "On the Ning Nang Nong" by Spike Milligan
“On the Ning Nang Nong
Where the Cows go Bong!
and the monkeys all say BOO!”
Milligan's nonsensical verse captures his unparalleled ability to find humour in the absurd, a light-hearted reminder not to take life—or death—too seriously.
5. "Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face" by Jack Prelutsky
“Be glad your nose is on your face,
not pasted on some other place,”
Prelutsky’s humorous reflections on the human body serve as a reminder of the joy found in life’s simple, often overlooked aspects.
6. "This Be The Verse" by Philip Larkin
“They f**k you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.”
Larkin's candid take on the imperfections of parenting, with a touch of humour, can lighten the mood, reflecting on the shared human experience with a smirk.
7. "The Golfer’s Lament" by Anonymous
“Here lies a man who’s here no more,
Because he did not score a four.”
A humorous ode to golfers, this poem brings a chuckle, celebrating a passion for the game that defined the deceased’s happier moments.
8. "I’m Glad I’m Not a Turkey" by Anonymous
“I’m glad I’m not a turkey,
They stuff you and bake you,
And then they all taste you.”
A lighthearted reflection on the brighter side of life from a human perspective, offering a humorous respite from grief.
9 "Untitled" by Ogden Nash
“To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up.”
Nash’s humorous advice on marriage adds a touch of fun, reminding mourners of the deceased’s lighter side and possibly their own domestic bliss.
10. "The End" by A.A. Milne
“When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.”
Milne’s playful recounting of life, in the context of a eulogy, serves as a humorous reflection on the journey from birth to death, emphasising the innocence and simplicity with which we should view life. Could be a touching funeral reading for someone who always loved the works of A.A Milne.