Short Funeral Poems

May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face; The rains fall soft upon your fields And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

— Traditional Irish Blessing

Let not your hearts be troubled. Ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

— Biblical, KJV

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

— Biblical, KJV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

— Biblical, NIV

Warm summer sun, Shine kindly here; Warm southern wind, Blow softly here. Green sod above, Lie light, lie light. Good night, dear heart, Good night, good night.

— Mark Twain / Robert Richardson

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.

— Mary Elizabeth Frye

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

— Biblical, KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

— Biblical, KJV

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

— Biblical, KJV

If I were hanged on the highest hill, Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine! I know whose love would follow me still, Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine! If I were drowned in the deepest sea, Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine! I know whose tears would come down to me, Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine! If I were damned of body and soul, I know whose prayers would make me whole, Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!

— Rudyard Kipling

Though my soul may set in darkness, It will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too truly To be fearful of the night.

— Sarah Williams

Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed, and very dear.

— Unknown

If tears could build a stairway And memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven And bring you home again.

— Unknown

God saw you getting tired And a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you And whispered, 'Come to me.' With tearful eyes we watched you, And saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.

— Unknown

I am home in Heaven, dear ones; Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty In this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, Safely home in Heaven at last.

— Unknown

Deep peace of the running wave to you, Deep peace of the flowing air to you, Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, Deep peace of the shining stars to you, Deep peace of the gentle night to you, Moon and stars pour their healing light on you, Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you.

— Traditional Celtic / Fiona Macleod

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths, Enwrought with golden and silver light, The blue and the dim and the dark cloths Of night and light and the half-light, I would spread the cloths under your feet: But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

— W.B. Yeats

God saw you getting tired And a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you And whispered, 'Come to me.' With tearful eyes we watched you, And saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.

— Unknown

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. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

— Unknown

Time is too slow for those who wait, Too swift for those who fear, Too long for those who grieve, Too short for those who rejoice, But for those who love, time is eternity.

— Henry Van Dyke

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.

— Emily Dickinson

Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.

— Robert Frost

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

— Biblical, KJV

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

— Biblical, KJV

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

— Biblical, KJV

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

— Biblical, KJV

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

— Biblical, KJV

God made a wonderful mother, A mother who never grows old; He made her smile of the sunshine, And He moulded her heart of pure gold; In her eyes He placed bright shining stars, In her cheeks, fair roses you see; God made a wonderful mother, And He gave that dear mother to me.

— Unknown

Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky, Hundreds of shells on the shore together, Hundreds of birds that go singing by, Hundreds of lambs in the sunny weather. Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn, Hundreds of bees in the purple clover, Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn, But only one mother the wide world over.

— Unknown

An honest man here lies at rest, The friend of man, the friend of beast, If there is another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this.

— Robert Burns

Life is eternal, and love is immortal, And death is only an horizon, And an horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.

— Bede Jarrett

A golden heart stopped beating, Hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.

— Unknown

And just at the moment when someone says, 'There, she is gone,' There are other eyes watching her coming, And other voices ready to take up the glad shout, 'Here she comes!'

— Henry Van Dyke

A golden heart stopped beating, Busy hands now at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.

— Unknown

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. I'd like to leave an echo Whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times And bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve To dry before the sun Of happy memories that I leave When life is done.

— Unknown

Say not in grief 'he is no more' But live in thankfulness that he was.

— Rabindranath Tagore

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.

— Walt Whitman

Death is not extinguishing the light; It is only putting out the lamp Because the dawn has come.

— Rabindranath Tagore

An honest man here lies at rest, The friend of man, the friend of beast, If there is another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this.

— Robert Burns

Death is not extinguishing the light; It is only putting out the lamp Because the dawn has come.

— Rabindranath Tagore

I told you I was ill.

— Spike Milligan

Spike Milligan (d. 2002). Written in Irish on his gravestone as 'Duirt me leat go raibh me breoite.'

The life that I have Is all that I have And the life that I have Is yours.

— Leo Marks

Copyright Leo Marks Estate.

"Why did you do all this for me?" he asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you." "You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing."

— E.B. White, Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (1952)

Copyright E.B. White Estate. Published by Harper & Brothers.

Music, when soft voices die, Vibrates in the memory — Odours, when sweet violets sicken, Live within the sense they quicken. Rose leaves, when the rose is dead, Are heaped for the beloved's bed; And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone, Love itself shall slumber on.

— Percy Bysshe Shelley

I told you I was ill. Don't cry for me now, it's all a big joke. Smile, wave goodbye, and have a nice day.

— Spike Milligan

Copyright Spike Milligan Estate.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

— Biblical, KJV

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

— Biblical, KJV

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

— Biblical, KJV

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast! Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest!

— William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene ii

Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come.

— William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene ii

Thanks for all the things you've done, Thanks for all the battles won, Thanks for all the times you cared, Thanks for every tear you shared. Thanks for teaching me to walk, Thanks for listening when I'd talk, Thanks for always being near, Thanks for wiping every tear. Thanks for all the love you gave, Thanks for being strong and brave, Thanks for all the things you'd do, Thanks, Dad, for just being you.

— Unknown

I am my Father's garden, I am his legacy, The seeds he sowed within my heart Are all I'll ever need. He taught me how to weather storms And stand up straight and tall, His love the sun that kept me warm Through winter, spring and fall. I am my Father's garden, His work of art, his pride, And though he's gone from here today His love has not yet died.

— Unknown

There's magic in a Mother's touch, And sunshine in her smile. There's love in everything she does, To make our lives worthwhile. You can see her gentle beauty In the kindness that she shows, A tender hugging warm embrace That everybody knows. She's the inspiration of our lives, She's the heart of all we do. With every bit of love she gives, She makes our world brand new.

— Unknown

I am my Mother's garden, I am her legacy, The seeds she sowed within my heart Are all I'll ever need. She taught me how to love the world, To see the good in all, Her gentle words still guide me Whenever shadows fall. I am my Mother's garden, Her love blooms on in me, And though she's gone from here today Her spirit sets me free.

— Unknown

Farewell to thee! But not farewell To all my fondest thoughts of thee: Within my heart they still shall dwell; And they shall cheer and comfort me. O, beautiful, and full of grace! If thou hast never met mine eye, I had not dreamed a living face Could fancied charms so far outvie. If I may ne'er behold again That form and face so dear to me, Nor hear thy voice, still I'd retain The memory of what used to be.

— Anne Bronte

Nan had a special garden, Where love and kindness grew, She tended it with patience The way that she tended you. She planted seeds of happiness, And watched them bloom with care, Her garden was a special place With beauty everywhere. Now Nan has gone to tend a garden In a land far, far away, But the flowers that she planted here Will bloom for us each day.

— Unknown

In my Father's house are many rooms, And I have prepared a place for you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, For I go to make things new. There will be no more sorrow, No crying, and no pain. The former things have passed away; Love eternal shall remain. So trust in the promise given, That we shall meet once more, In the house of many mansions, On that bright eternal shore.

— Unknown

If I should die and leave you here awhile, Be not like others sore undone, who keep Long vigils by the silent dust and weep. For my sake turn again to life and smile, Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do Something to comfort other hearts than thine. Complete those dear unfinished tasks of mine, And I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

— Unknown

I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; Of happy memories that I leave when life is done. I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is done. I want to walk the golden stairs to meet the ones I knew, And find at the end of each rainbow, the promise God made true.

— Unknown

Do not weep for me, For where I am now, I am at peace. I have passed through the gate of glory And found my sweet release. I am in the arms of angels, Bathed in heavenly light. Do not weep for me, dear ones, For I am home tonight. Remember me with laughter, Remember me with love, And know that I am watching From the heavens up above.

— Unknown

At the last, tenderly, From the walls of the powerful fortress'd house, Let me be wafted. Let me glide noiselessly forth; With the key of softness unlock the locks — with a whisper, Set ope the doors O soul. Tenderly — be not impatient, (Strong is your hold O mortal flesh, Strong is your hold O love.)

— Walt Whitman

We are here to celebrate your life And the measure of its worth, The joy you brought to all of us During your time upon this earth. You were always there to lend a hand, A shoulder or an ear, To share a joke, to share a laugh, To be a friend so dear. It's been a privilege to have known you. We were family, not just friends. And your warmth and love and laughter Will shine on till time itself ends.

— Unknown

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. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

— Unknown

Let's drink to the dead already, And hurrah for the next that dies!

— Traditional Irish

There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold; The Arctic trails have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold; The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge I cremated Sam McGee.

— Robert W. Service

Happy the man, and happy he alone, He who can call today his own: He who, secure within, can say, Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today. Be fair or foul or rain or shine The joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine. Not Heaven itself upon the past has power, But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.

— John Dryden

When you see a star tonight, Shining way up high, Know it's me looking down on you, From my home up in the sky. I'm watching over you always, And though we're far apart, Know I'm right there beside you, Forever in your heart.

— Unknown

If I should die and leave you here a while, Be not like others sore undone, who keep Long vigils by the silent dust and weep. For my sake turn again to life and smile, Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do Something to comfort weaker hearts than thine. Complete those dear unfinished tasks of mine And I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

— A. Price Hughes

Life is a jest, and all things show it. I thought so once, and now I know it. My own epitaph.

— John Gay

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

— Biblical, KJV

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

— Biblical, KJV

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

— Biblical, KJV

A father's love is forever imprinted On his children's hearts, A guiding light that never dims Even when the world grows dark. He taught us strength through gentle hands, He showed us love through deeds, His legacy lives on in us, In every word and deed. Though we cannot hold him now, His spirit carries on, A father's love is never lost— It lives forever on.

— Unknown

Don't weep at my grave, For I am not there, I've a date with a butterfly To dance in the air. I'll be singing in the sunshine, Wild and free, Playing across the wind, Being part of the sea. So dry your eyes and remember my laugh, The good times we had, And know that I loved you More than words ever said.

— Unknown

She was our mum, our world, our heart, She was there right from the start. She held us close and kept us safe, Her love, a warm and sacred place. She taught us how to laugh and love, A gift sent from the stars above. And though she's gone, she's always near, Her voice, her love, forever here.

— Unknown

She was our Nan, our world, our heart, She was there right from the start, She held us close and kept us safe, Her love, a warm and sacred place. She taught us how to laugh and play, She made the world a better day, And though she's gone, she's always near, Her memory, forever dear.

— Unknown

Without you there's no sunrise, Without you there's no day, Without you there's no laughter, Since you have gone away. Without you there's no evening, No stars up in the sky, Without you there's just emptiness, And all I do is cry. But somewhere deep within my heart Your love still lights the way, And I know we'll be together Again some other day.

— Unknown

You were my rock, my strength, my guide, My shelter from the storm. You were the one who held me close And kept my heart so warm. You were my smile on cloudy days, My laughter and my light. My hand to hold through everything, My morning, noon and night. And though you've gone from here today, Your love remains so true, For everything I am, my love, Is all because of you.

— Unknown

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am the thousand winds that blow... Actually, forget that, I'm watching the football.

— Unknown

Don't cry for me now I have died, For I'm still here, right by your side. My body's gone but my soul is here, Just talk to me, I'll always hear. I'll watch you from the other side, I'll be the one to be your guide. So dry your eyes and don't be sad, Remember the good times that we had.

— Unknown

I've lived between the dates upon my stone, And trust me, that dash was quite a ride. I laughed too loud, I loved too much, I took it all in my stride. I burned the dinner more than once, Forgot where I put the keys, But I lived that little dash with flair And did just what I pleased.

— Unknown

I'm spending my Christmas with Jesus this year, I couldn't wait for the holidays, I wanted to be here. I know this isn't the Christmas that you planned, But I hope you'll try to understand. The place is so beautiful, beyond my wildest dreams, There's peace and joy and happiness; I know how strange that seems. Please don't be sad or cry for me; I'm spending Christmas with the King, you see. I'll ask Him to bless you just for me, Merry Christmas from heaven, your family.

— Unknown

To-day's your natal day; Sweet flowers I bring: Mother, accept I pray My offering. And may you happy live, And long us bless; Receiving as you give Great happiness.

— Christina Rossetti

Where there once was light, Darkness now resides. But love shines through And forever abides. Though we walk in shadow, Love will lead us through, And every cherished memory Will keep me close to you.

— Unknown

May time soften your pain, Till it's easier to bear. May all the nicest memories Help take away despair. May knowing that you're not alone Help see you through your grief. May time heal your broken heart And give you sweet relief.

— Unknown

When I see the brightest star Shining in the sky, I know that you are up there Watching from on high.

— Robyn O'Connell

Copyright Robyn O'Connell.