poems for people who have passed away?

KunashKunash Posts: 1,144
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Hi, I am looking for poems that could be included in a service order, for a funeral, so can anyone pls give me a website where i can have a look ( the funeral is for my aunt )

thank you

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  • samcheesesamcheese Posts: 1,830
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    Just google "auntie poem" or something. that's what I did when I read one at my granny's funeral. I'm not creative enough to write my own. It was a beautiful poem though
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 582
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    My husband has one somewhere he printed out .... 'Don't stand by my grave and weep'
  • moondrops1moondrops1 Posts: 3,913
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    Smutbucket wrote: »
    My husband has one somewhere he printed out .... 'Don't stand by my grave and weep'

    That's a beautiful and very poignant poem.

    I love this one too:

    Rupert Brooke
    The Soldier
    IF I should die, think only this of me:
    That there's some corner of a foreign field
    That is forever England. There shall be
    In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
    A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
    Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
    A body of England's, breathing English air,
    Washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home.
    And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
    A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
    Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
    Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
    And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
    In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.


    Sorry for you loss Kunash.
  • Happy_ChappyHappy_Chappy Posts: 1,719
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    Do not stand at my grave and weep,
    I am not there, I do not sleep.
    I am in a thousand winds that blow,
    I am the softly falling snow.
    I am the gentle showers of rain,
    I am the fields of ripening grain.
    I am in the morning hush,
    I am in the graceful rush
    Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
    I am the starshine of the night.
    I am in the flowers that bloom,
    I am in a quiet room.
    I am in the birds that sing,
    I am in each lovely thing.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry,
    I am not there. I did not die.
  • moondrops1moondrops1 Posts: 3,913
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    Do not stand at my grave and weep,
    I am not there, I do not sleep.
    I am in a thousand winds that blow,
    I am the softly falling snow.
    I am the gentle showers of rain,
    I am the fields of ripening grain.
    I am in the morning hush,
    I am in the graceful rush
    Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
    I am the starshine of the night.
    I am in the flowers that bloom,
    I am in a quiet room.
    I am in the birds that sing,
    I am in each lovely thing.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry,
    I am not there. I did not die.


    That's the one. Beautiful, and it says everything doesn't it?
  • bigc127bigc127 Posts: 1,288
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    This one I feel is really poignant, and makes so much sense
    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!
  • Happy_ChappyHappy_Chappy Posts: 1,719
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    moondrops1 wrote: »
    That's the one. Beautiful, and it says everything doesn't it?


    I've heard people use just the first two lines with the last two lines, as an alternative shorter version. It's used in movies a lot. I think it's perfect. Also, it can be used for any religious etc. beliefs without offending or excluding anyone.
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    This was used for the committal at my Mum's funeral.

    It's by Kate McIlhagga

    Go gently on your voyage, beloved.
    Slip away with the ebb tide,
    And rejoice in a new sunrise.
    May the moon make a path across the sea for you,
    And the sun provide a welcome.
    May the earth receive you and the fire cleanse you
    And you go from our love
    Into the presence of Love’s completeness.
  • KunashKunash Posts: 1,144
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    Do not stand at my grave and weep,
    I am not there, I do not sleep.
    I am in a thousand winds that blow,
    I am the softly falling snow.
    I am the gentle showers of rain,
    I am the fields of ripening grain.
    I am in the morning hush,
    I am in the graceful rush
    Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
    I am the starshine of the night.
    I am in the flowers that bloom,
    I am in a quiet room.
    I am in the birds that sing,
    I am in each lovely thing.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry,
    I am not there. I did not die.


    perfect, i have included that in the service sheet, and a member of the family will be reading it out, thanks
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    I don't know whether you would want to try your hand at writing one yourself..if so you could take a look at this one I wrote a few years ago when my gran passed away? It's sort of cathartic as well, knowing you've made a personal dedication to someone you loved so much.

    Light
    At seven years with heart of gold
    With mud-ridden boots and love of cold
    My beloved Gran took me on her knee
    And told of fairies roaming free

    Beneath the Willow beyond the lawn
    Lay a ring of fruit left there at dawn
    "Here," she said, "where children play
    Is where fairy folk avoid the day".

    A trinket world among the new
    And humdrum growl of towns askew
    Is lost within the deep fey night
    Life forgotten with long-lost light.

    These fairy folk beneath the tree
    Were dancing there for Gran and me
    And while she spoke and smoothed my hair
    I longed to find the fairies there

    So out we went, amongst the dew
    Senses pricked for stories true
    Soft light shafting through the leaves
    Fell on tiny, two-winged blossom thieves

    Standing there, I felt the cold
    My muddied boots and heart of gold
    Behold the sight of fairy life
    Of fairy man and fairy wife

    The cold grew warm and so I turned
    To leave this land that I had learned
    Gran's hand reached out for me to hold
    And guide me back from legends old.

    To my side, Gran's warmth grew less
    She kissed my head and I was blessed
    Like every child held on her knee
    And told of fairies below the tree.

    As I traced the path to take me home
    The sun shone down, I was all alone
    For with the light my Gran had left
    She, an angel, had gone to rest.
  • KunashKunash Posts: 1,144
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    I don't know whether you would want to try your hand at writing one yourself..if so you could take a look at this one I wrote a few years ago when my gran passed away? It's sort of cathartic as well, knowing you've made a personal dedication to someone you loved so much.

    Light
    At seven years with heart of gold
    With mud-ridden boots and love of cold
    My beloved Gran took me on her knee
    And told of fairies roaming free

    Beneath the Willow beyond the lawn
    Lay a ring of fruit left there at dawn
    "Here," she said, "where children play
    Is where fairy folk avoid the day".

    A trinket world among the new
    And humdrum growl of towns askew
    Is lost within the deep fey night
    Life forgotten with long-lost light.

    These fairy folk beneath the tree
    Were dancing there for Gran and me
    And while she spoke and smoothed my hair
    I longed to find the fairies there

    So out we went, amongst the dew
    Senses pricked for stories true
    Soft light shafting through the leaves
    Fell on tiny, two-winged blossom thieves

    Standing there, I felt the cold
    My muddied boots and heart of gold
    Behold the sight of fairy life
    Of fairy man and fairy wife

    The cold grew warm and so I turned
    To leave this land that I had learned
    Gran's hand reached out for me to hold
    And guide me back from legends old.

    To my side, Gran's warmth grew less
    She kissed my head and I was blessed
    Like every child held on her knee
    And told of fairies below the tree.

    As I traced the path to take me home
    The sun shone down, I was all alone
    For with the light my Gran had left
    She, an angel, had gone to rest.


    that is a lovely poem
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 88
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    Had this read out at my 18 year old sons funeral last month. I found out later it was also read at the Queen Mothers funeral with obviously 'he' replaced by 'she'. Still a lovely poem which many people commented on.


    God I miss him!!


    REMEMBER ME

    To the living, I am gone
    To the sorrowful, I will never return
    To the angry, I was cheated
    But to the happy, I am at peace
    And to the faithful, I have never left

    I cannot speak, but I can listen
    I cannot be seen, but I can be heard

    So as you stand upon the shore
    Gazing at the beautiful sea, remember me
    As you look in awe at a mighty forest
    And its grand majesty, remember me
    Remember me in your hearts
    In your thoughts, and the memories of the
    Times we loved, the times we cried, the
    Battle we fought and the times we laughed
    For if you always think of me, I will
    Have never gone.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 2,254
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    Do not stand at my grave and weep,
    I am not there, I do not sleep.
    I am in a thousand winds that blow,
    I am the softly falling snow.
    I am the gentle showers of rain,
    I am the fields of ripening grain.
    I am in the morning hush,
    I am in the graceful rush
    Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
    I am the starshine of the night.
    I am in the flowers that bloom,
    I am in a quiet room.
    I am in the birds that sing,
    I am in each lovely thing.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry,
    I am not there. I did not die.

    thats the one I was going to suggest. Lovely.
  • Babe RainbowBabe Rainbow Posts: 34,349
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    When the white eagle of the North
    is flying overhead

    The browns, reds and golds of autumn
    lie in the gutter, dead

    Remember then, that summer birds
    with wings of fire flaying

    Came to witness springs new hope,
    born of leaves decaying.

    Just as new life will come from death,
    love will come at leisure.

    Love of love, love of life and
    giving without measure

    Gives in return a wonderous yearn
    of a promise almost seen.

    Live hand-in-hand and together we'll stand
    on the threshold of a dream.


    The Dream
    by The Moody Blues
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 794
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    If Tomorrow Starts Without Me


    If tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see,
    If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
    I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today,
    while thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.
    I know how much you care for me, and how much I care for you,
    and each time that you think of me I know you’ll miss me too;

    But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
    that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
    and said my place was ready in heaven far above,
    and that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

    But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
    for all life, I’d always thought I didn’t want to die.
    I had so much to live for and so much yet to do.
    it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
    I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
    If I could relive yesterday, I thought, just for a while,
    I’d say goodbye and hug you and maybe see you smile.

    But then I fully realised that this could never be,
    for emptiness and memories would take the place of me.
    And when I thought of worldly things that I’d miss come tomorrow.
    I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

    But when I walked through Heaven’s gates, I felt so much at home.
    When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
    He said, "This is eternity and all I’ve promised you,
    Today your life on earth is past but here it’s starts anew.
    I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last.
    and since each day’s the same, there’s no longing for the past.

    But you have been so faithful, so trusting, so true.
    Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn’t do.
    And you have been forgiven and now at last you’re free.
    So won’t you come and take my hand and share my life with me?"

    So if tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,
    for every time you think of me, please know I’m in your heart.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 88
    Forum Member
    Had this read out at my 18 year old sons funeral last month. I found out later it was also read at the Queen Mothers funeral with obviously 'he' replaced by 'she'. Still a lovely poem which many people commented on.


    God I miss him!!

    Sorry copied and pasted the wrong poem from the order of service.........
    You can shed tears that he is gone
    Or you can smile because he has lived

    You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
    Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left

    Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
    Or you can be full of the love that you shared

    You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
    Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

    You can remember him and only that he is gone
    Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on

    You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
    Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
  • eluf38eluf38 Posts: 4,874
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    I read this one at my mother in law's funeral. I chose a deliberatly short one because I knew I'd break down if I had to do 'Death is nothing at all'. It seemed to fit her character perfectly:

    Do not weep when I am gone,
    Nor shed a tear, nor inscribe a stone,
    Nor speak of me in a Sunday voice;
    But be the usual selves I have known.
    Weep if you must.
    Parting is Hell.
    But life goes on,
    so sing as well.
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    eluf38 wrote: »
    I read this one at my mother in law's funeral. I chose a deliberatly short one because I knew I'd break down if I had to do 'Death is nothing at all'. It seemed to fit her character perfectly:

    Do not weep when I am gone,
    Nor shed a tear, nor inscribe a stone,
    Nor speak of me in a Sunday voice;
    But be the usual selves I have known.
    Weep if you must.
    Parting is Hell.
    But life goes on,
    so sing as well.


    Attributed to the late Joyce Grenfell, if I remember correctly!! ;)
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    Remember me when I am gone away,
    Gone far away into the silent land;
    When you can no more hold me by the hand,
    Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
    Remember me when no more day by day
    You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
    Only remember me; you understand
    It will be late to counsel then or pray.
    Yet if you should forget me for a while
    And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
    For if the darkness and corruption leave
    A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
    Better by far you should forget and smile
    Than that you should remember and be sad.


    Christina Rossetti
  • muranomurano Posts: 347
    Forum Member
    sorry if this is a bit predicable, but it is my favourite. I am sorry for your loss :(

    Funeral Blues

    Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
    Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
    Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
    Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

    Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
    Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
    Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
    Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

    He was my North, my South, my East and West,
    My working week and my Sunday rest,
    My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
    I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

    The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
    Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
    Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
    For nothing now can ever come to any good.

    W.H. Auden
  • cressida100cressida100 Posts: 3,841
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    bigc127 wrote: »
    This one I feel is really poignant, and makes so much sense
    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!

    This is so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes reading it:cry:
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,320
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    My mother died over a decade ago, and this poem is the only message on a sympathy card I remember, it was from one of her closest friends. I'm not particularly religious, but it really touched, and comforted me....


    I'll give you Maggie, God said
    For you to love while she lives, and mourn for when she's dead.

    It may be ten or twenty years, or fourty two or three,
    but will you till I call her back, take care of her for me?

    She will bring her charms to gladden you, and should her stay be brief,
    you'll have her lovely memories as a solace for your grief.

    I fancied that I heard you say 'dear Lord thy will be done'.
    For all the joy that Maggie will bring, the risk of grief I'll run.

    Now will you give her all your love, nor think the labour vain?
    Nor hate me when I come to take her back again?

    Should the angels call for her much sooner than I planned,
    brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 174
    Forum Member
    "She Is Gone" - was read at my aunt's funeral last year.

    You can shed tears that she is gone
    Or you can smile because she has lived

    You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
    Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

    Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
    Or you can be full of the love that you shared

    You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
    Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

    You can remember her and only that she is gone
    Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

    You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
    Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
  • KunashKunash Posts: 1,144
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    Croshtique wrote: »
    "She Is Gone" - was read at my aunt's funeral last year.

    You can shed tears that she is gone
    Or you can smile because she has lived

    You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
    Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

    Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
    Or you can be full of the love that you shared

    You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
    Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

    You can remember her and only that she is gone
    Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

    You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
    Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

    this is a lovely poem
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