Top 10 Sister Funeral Poems

The loss of a sister is a profound heartache. She is not just a sibling but often a confidante, a best friend, and a cherished part of our lives. In the shadow of such a loss, finding the right words to honour her memory can feel daunting.

Poetry, with its profound ability to capture the essence of our emotions, can serve as a beautiful tribute during this time. Here are ten poignant funeral poems that encapsulate the love, sorrow, and irreplaceable void left by a sister's passing.

These verses can offer comfort at the funeral, serving as a powerful testament to her impact on our lives.

1. "Remember" by Christina Rossetti

"Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land."

Rossetti’s gentle urging for remembrance through love rather than mourning offers a comforting perspective on loss. When someone dies, you want to remember the loved one and the text of this poem is often used as a funeral quote or on a funeral invitation. 

2. "Miss Me But Let Me Go" by Christina Georgina Rossetti

"When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me."

This poem is a poignant acknowledgement of a sister's desire for her loved ones to find peace in her absence, encouraging them to cherish memories but continue on their journey.

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."

Frye’s words offer solace with the thought that the departed continues to exist in another form, a comforting notion for those mourning a sister.

4. "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron

"She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies."

Byron's celebration of a woman's grace and beauty can be a moving tribute to a sister's enduring elegance and spirit.

5. "To My Sister" by William Wordsworth

"It is the first mild day of March:

Each minute sweeter than before."

Wordsworth’s reflection on the simple, profound bond shared with a sister mirrors the everyday moments that become precious memories.

6. "A Sister’s Love" by James Henry Burden

"A sister’s love is special

In ways that are unspoken."

Burden captures the unique, often indescribable bond of sisterhood, making it a fitting homage to a love that transcends words.

7. "The Peace of Wild Things" by Wendell Berry

"When despair for the world grows in me

I go and lie down where the wood drake"

Though not explicitly about sisters, Berry’s poem on finding peace in nature can resonate with the serenity one wishes for a departed sister.

8. "Turn Again to Life" by Mary Lee Hall

"If I should die and leave you here awhile,

Be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the side of the silent dust."

Hall's poem is a call to those left behind to live fully in honour of the departed's wishes, a message that can be especially poignant when losing a sister. Planning a funeral with poems, hymns, and funeral songs can be hard; our list can help you find the right poem for your service. 

9. "Sisters" by Lucille Clifton

"We were sisters,

a gentling of the seasons, on the earth."

Clifton’s short but profound piece speaks to the natural, elemental bond between sisters, likened to the gentle change of seasons.

10. "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 hopeful wish for a legacy of joy and smiles serves as a beautiful way to remember a sister, focusing on the happiness she brought to life. Ask your funeral director for assistance in picking out any funeral poems you would like to have in the service.