Top 10 Modern Funeral Poems
In moments of grief and remembrance, poetry offers a profound way to express the complex emotions that accompany the loss of a loved one. While classic poems hold timeless appeal, modern funeral poems resonate with contemporary voices, offering fresh perspectives on love, loss, and the healing process.
These verses connect with today's experiences, bringing comfort and understanding to the language of our times. Here are ten modern funeral poems that capture the essence of saying goodbye with grace, honesty, and a touch of the present-day spirit.
1. "When Great Trees Fall" by Maya Angelou
“When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down in tall grasses,
and even elephants lumber after safety.”
Angelou's powerful imagery captures the profound impact of loss on the world. This poem is a testament to the significant presence of the departed and offers comfort in the shared experience of grief.
2. "Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep" by Clare Harner
“Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.”
Although written in 1932, Frye's poem remains a modern staple at funerals and in funeral invitations for its comforting message that the departed continue to live on around us.
3. "Funeral Blues" by W.H. Auden
“He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest.”
Auden’s exploration of profound loss in "Funeral Blues" speaks to the emptiness left behind, encapsulating the feeling of losing one's entire world.
4. "The Art of Losing" by Elizabeth Bishop
“The art of losing isn’t hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.”
Bishop's meditation on loss as a common experience in life offers a unique perspective, suggesting that loss is both inevitable and manageable, providing a sense of solace and resilience.
5. "Remember" by Joy Harjo
“Remember the sky that you were born under,
know each of the star's stories.”
Harjo encourages remembrance and connection to the earth and the broader universe, providing a comforting sense of continuity and belonging.
6. "No Coward Soul Is Mine" by Emily Brontë
“No coward soul is mine,
No trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere.”
Brontë’s defiant stand against death and her assertion of an undying soul offers strength and solace to mourners, resonating well in modern contexts for its enduring spirit. Your funeral director can help you find the right poem if you are having problems choosing one.
7. "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop
“The art of losing isn’t hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.”
Bishop's reflective and somewhat ironic take on the nature of loss encourages a stoic acceptance and resilience, making it a poignant choice for those seeking comfort in the face of grief.
8. "Dirge Without Music" by Edna St. Vincent Millay
“I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.”
Millay’s refusal to quietly accept death's inevitability speaks to the heart's resilience and the enduring power of love, marking it as a modern classic for funerals.
9. "Everything Is Going to Be All Right" by Derek Mahon
“How should I not be glad to contemplate
the clouds clearing beyond the dormer window”
Mahon's poem offers a message of hope and reassurance, a reminder that despite our losses, life's beauty continues and peace can be found.
10 "To the Moon" by Alice Oswald
“And if I died now you would not remember
That I am all brightness now and very calm”
Oswald’s contemplative work explores the tranquillity of the afterlife, offering a serene reflection on death and the peace it can bring.