Top 10 Uplifting Funeral Poems
Funerals are about mourning the loss of a loved one and celebrating the joy, memories, and lessons they left behind. Your funeral director can help you find the right pick for your funeral if you cannot pick one yourself.
Uplifting funeral poems offer a beam of hope during these sombre moments, emphasising the brighter side of remembrance. Here are ten poems that bring comfort, solace, and a touch of positivity:
1. "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.
Clare's iconic poem is one of the most well-known uplifting funeral poems. Its reassuring words emphasise the eternal spirit and the idea that loved ones are always with us in spirit, making it a comforting choice for funerals.
2. "The Dash" by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
From the beginning... to the end.
Ellis focuses on the dash between the date of birth and death, symbolising the life lived. This poem is a gentle reminder to cherish every moment and is suitable for a funeral focusing on celebrating a life well-lived.
3. "Death is Nothing at All" by Henry Scott Holland
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Scott-Holland's comforting words provide a different perspective on death, presenting it as a mere transition. It's an ideal choice among uplifting funeral poems for its message of continuity and eternal love.
This poem could be an answer to the question, “What to say when someone dies?”. It provides comfort and hope that you will meet your loved one again.
4. "Remember" by Christina Rossetti
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land.
Rossetti’s poem is a gentle call for remembrance without sadness that you can remember when planning a funeral. Its serene tone emphasises love and the lingering presence of the departed, making it apt for a funeral setting.
5. "If I Should Go" by Joyce Grenfell
If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Grenfell's poem encourages the living to continue with their lives joyfully. It's a beacon of hope and an invitation to celebrate life, making it one of the most touching, uplifting funeral poems.
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 the day is done.
Marshall's poem beautifully captures the desire of the departed to be remembered with joy and warmth. Its positive sentiment is perfect for funerals, focusing on the happiness and love the departed brought into the lives of others.
This poem could be read right before some funeral songs that the departed would have loved to hear.
7. "To Those Whom I Love and Those Who Love Me" by Anonymous
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
This poem is a selfless call from the departed, asking their loved ones to find peace and continue with their lives. It emphasises love, freedom, and the celebration of life, making it a comforting choice among uplifting funeral poems.
8. "You Can Shed Tears That She Is Gone" by David Harkins
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived.
Harkins’s verses provide a refreshing perspective on mourning, advocating for celebration over sorrow. Its hopeful tone and focus on cherishing memories make it suitable for an uplifting funeral service or even for a wake.
9. "The Ship" by Bishop Brent
What is dying? I am standing on the seashore.
A ship sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean.
Using the metaphor of a ship on its voyage, Bishop Brent offers a comforting view of death as just another journey. This poem, among the uplifting funeral poems, reassures attendees of the continuity of life and the soul's eternal voyage.
10. "Celebrate Me Home" by Unknown
Please don’t mourn my passing when I’m gone,
But celebrate my life, the setting sun.
This poem speaks from the perspective of the departed, urging loved ones to focus on the joy, the lessons, and the love they left behind. It's a poignant reminder of the importance of celebrating life, even in the face of loss.