Top 10 Short Funeral Poems: Brief Verses of Comfort and Remembrance
In the tender moments of farewell, poetry offers solace, capturing the profound emotions of grief, love, and the eternal bond with those who have departed. Short funeral poems, with their concise and powerful expressions, can provide significant comfort during services, encapsulating complex feelings in just a few lines.
These brief verses are poignant for conveying heartfelt sentiments, making them suitable for readings, memorials, or as part of a eulogy.
Here are ten short funeral poems that resonate deeply, offering solace and reflection in times of loss.
1. "Remember" by Christina Rossetti
"Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;"
A gentle urging to keep the memory alive, Rossetti’s words offer comfort in the promise of remembrance beyond physical presence. When someone dies, finding the right words can be a struggle, poems help you express your feelings.
2. "Life Goes On" by Joyce Grenfell
"If I should die before the rest of you,
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone."
Grenfell’s poem encourages the living to continue joyously, a reminder of the deceased's wish for their loved ones' happiness. Ask your funeral director to help you pick out the funeral poems if you struggle with picking the ones you want.
3. "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" by Clare Harner
"Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die."
This poem offers a profound sense of continuity and presence, suggesting that the departed remain with us in various forms.
4. "He Is Gone" by David Harkins
"You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he has lived."
Harkins presents a choice in perception — to grieve the loss or celebrate the life lived, fostering a sense of gratitude.
5. "Farewell My Friends" by Rabindranath Tagore
"Farewell My Friends
It was beautiful as long as it lasted."
Tagore’s acceptance and peaceful farewell capture the beauty of transient life, emphasising the joy in the journey.
6. "Afterglow" by 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."
Marshall’s wish for a legacy of happiness and smiles serves as a comforting reminder of the deceased's desire for joy in remembrance.
7. "Epitaph" by Merrit Malloy
"When I die
Give what’s left of me away"
Malloy’s poem speaks to the idea of legacy and the continuation of love, suggesting a giving spirit lives on through others.
8. "Let Me Go" by Christina Rossetti
"Let me go, we have so many things to see and do,
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with too many tears."
This poem gently encourages the living to move forward, emphasising freedom and the continuation of life’s journey.
9. "To Those Whom I Love & Those Who Love Me" by Anonymous
"When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do."
A message of release and love, this poem comforts with the thought of the departed embarking on a new journey.
10. "Gone From My Sight" by 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."
Van Dyke uses the metaphor of a departing ship to illustrate the transition from life to death, offering a serene perspective on passing.