Poem For Funeral

[237SJ]

I`m looking for a nice poem to be read at my Mum`s funeral. I asked my sister to research (she`s not known for her empathy or compassion) and she has come up with something that is 5 lines long which is a fat lot of good. Does anyone have any suggestions? Something nice and springlike and not weepy.

[Mamyalynne]

Two versions of a beautiful poem here, I have always found it very comforting.

http://www.funeralhelper.org/the-rose-beyond-the-wall-a-l-frink-popular.html

[tamaris]

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep - Mary Elizabeth Frye

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 quite 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

Mary Elizabeth Frye

[Retrochic]

A MOTHERS CROWN

Heaven lit up with a mighty presence,
as the Angels all looked down.
Today the Lord was placing the jewels
Into my mother’s crown.
He held up a golden crown,
as my darling mother looked on.
He said in His gentle voice,
‘I will now explain each one.’
‘The first gem,’ He said, ‘is a Ruby,
and it’s for endurance alone,
for all the nights you waited up
for your children to come home.’
‘For all the nights by their bedside,
you stayed till the fever went down.
For nursing every little wound,
I add this ruby to your crown.’
‘An emerald, I’ll place by the ruby,
for leading your child in the right way.
For teaching them the lessons,
That made them who they are today.’
‘For always being right there,
through all life’s important events.
I give you a sapphire stone,
for the time and love you spent.’
‘For untying the strings that held them,
when they grew up and left home.
I give you this one for courage.’
Then the Lord added a garnet stone.
‘I’ll place a stone of amethyst,’ He said.
‘For all the times you spent on your knees,
when you asked if I’d take care of your children,
and then for having faith in Me.’
‘I have a pearl for every little sacrifice
that you made without them knowing.
For all the times you went without,
to keep them happy, healthy and growing.’
‘And last of all I have a diamond,
the greatest one of all,
for sharing unconditional love
whether they were big or small.’
‘It was your love that helped them grow
Feeling safe and happy and proud
A love so strong and pure
It could shift the darkest cloud.’
After the Lord placed the last jewel in,
He said, ‘Your crown is now complete,
You've earned your place in Heaven
With your children at your feet

[tamaris]

Death Is Nothing At All

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way 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 we always 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 effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it

Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner

All is well.
Nothing is past; 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!

[mazie]

This was read at My Mum's funeral and I love it.... When is the funeral 237?

http://www.linda-ellis.com/the-dash-the-dash-poem-by-linda-ellis-.html

[237SJ]

Thanks for the replies so far. Mazie - it`s on 21st April. I have been looking at related posts below and I quite like the one called The Broken Chain http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Family/Question320364.html My Mum didn`t like anything morbid. When my Dad died she said "I`m not having handfuls of earth thrown on the coffin" so we threw some primroses that I had picked from the hedgerows. That is why I want something uplifting and springlike (and not too religious)

[Tilly2]

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no tears in a gloom-filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little – But not for long
And not with your head bowed low,
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me – But let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take,
And each must go alone,
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to your friends that we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
Miss me – But let me go.

[mazie]

Hope all goes well on the 21st 237.. Be strong xxx

That's why we chose The Dash for Mum's funeral.... It just really sums up life..

[Mamyalynne]

You have time to think and choose, some lovely suggestions already - we didn't throw earth when my Husband died- we threw Rose Petals and the little ones blew bubbles.


Take care.x

[woofgang]

If I Should Go - Joyce Grenfell

Often Called - If I Should Die
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
Weep if you must
Parting is hell
But life goes on
So sing as well.

Joyce Grenfell

[woofgang]

sorry the line "often called if I should die" is not a part of the poem

[237SJ]

Thanks for further replies. Woofgang I quite like that one as well. Mum always used to say that you can`t live by the dead and that life goes on and you have to go forwards.

[Ann]

Only just seen this post 237 - hope you are ok, my thoughts are with you as I lost my Mum last May so I really know how you are feeling x
As you said - you didn't want earth thrown down in the grave, I felt the same and we all as a family each threw a pure white rose down in the grave with a white ribbon attached - it was a beautiful emotional moment.

Here is the poem I chose for Mum's order of service sheet you may like -

Feel no guilt in laughter ♥
She knows how much you care
Feel no sorrow in a smile
That she’s not there to share
You cannot grieve forever
She wouldn’t want you to
She’d hope that you would carry on
The way you always do

So talk about the old times
The ways you showed you cared
The days you spent together and
The good times that you shared
Let the memories surround you
A word someone may say
Will suddenly recapture
A time, an hour, a day

That brings her back as clearly
As though she were still here
And fills you with the feeling
That she is always near
For if you keep those memories
You will never be apart
And she will live forever
Locked safe within your heart

Hope you see this reply to your post 237 xx

[237SJ]

Thank you for the replies.

Ann - that`s the one. It`s perfect. Thank you.

[chaptazbru2]

Some lovely tearjerkers here, but for me The Dash wins hands down. It's beautiful.