poems for a funeral

[mrs p]

Can anyone suggest a poem to be read by a 22-year old woman at her mother's funeral, please? Not religious or sentimental, but to capture someone generous of spirit who gathered friends around her, and was very much in love with life. Thank you.

[NoMercy]

Google "Do not stand at my grave and weep.........." x

[NoMercy]

Here you go.........

Do not stand at my grave and weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

[Jan1957]

Try this site..

http://www.personalfuneralceremonies.com/Poems -For-a-Funeral-Ceremony

[Polly1958]

Try Christina Rosetti,she wrote some lovely poems,one that springs to mind is called ( i think)Remember or Remember me

[Scooterlad69]

My mum died in September and we had a humanist service which ended with the following , which I thought was lovely :-

The tide recedes
and leaves behind
bright seashells on the sand

The sun goes down
but gentle warmth
still lingers on the land

The music stops
and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains

For every life that passes
something beautiful remains

Everybody I spoke to after the service thought it was so fitting for my mum.

I hope all goes well for you. X

[katerich48]

A mum is one of life's best gifts,
Someone to treasure all life through,
She's caring and loving,
Thoughtful and true,
Someone who is always a special part of your life,
Someone who holds a prime place in your heart,
She's a mentor, a confident and also a friend,
Someone on whose love you can depend.
A mum always has your best interests at heart,
She's someone so dear and so good,
She's a blessing, she's a gift,
She's a treasure like no other,
She's someone that is truly wonderful.
Wherever you go, and whatever you do,
A mum�s love will always see you through,
A mum is truly invaluable,
Indispensable and unforgettable.
I wouldn't want anyone but you,
And that's why I'm so grateful,
that life picked you for me.

[katerich48]

'Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.

I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.
Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.

I've always thought this one was really nice..

What is this death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.

All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!'

[VHG]

Short but sweet

For our Mom was very precious
Who always gave her best
But now the time has come for her
To take a well earned rest

But she�s only crossed a little bridge
Not too far away
And every time we close our eyes
We�ll hear her gently say.

My heart will never leave you
If you call me, I will come,
I�m forever watching over you
With all my love, your Mom.

[VHG]

I did a short speech at my wife's mothers funeral last year, and while it is not a poem I came up with what I think are a nice set of words that sound like they would fit well with this funeral.

It could of course be part of a longer "speech".

Saying them brought a lump to my throat, and many people said the words were very appropriate.

Said very slowly and solemly.

I THINK (persons name) WAS LIKE A CANDLE.

BRING A CANDLE INTO A DARK ROOM AND IT SPREADS A LITTLE LIGHT, SPREADS A LITTLE HEAT, AND CHEERS EVERYONE UP.

pause.....

WELL THAT CANDLE HAS GONE OUT.

AND I THINK THE WORLD IS A LITTLE BIT DARKER, A LITTLE BIT COLDER, AND A LITTLE BIT SADDER.

[musicman1956]

This Be The Verse by Philip Larkin.

[mrs p]

Thanks to everyone for such moving suggestions.
In the end, the daughter read out a lullaby which her mother used to sing to her. It was a personal memory, and short enough to be able to get through without breaking down.