When planning a funeral, thinking about the content of the service can sometimes feel quite overwhelming. People often feel pressure to write an extensive eulogy which they then often worry over reading.
For some, writing a eulogy is cathartic and helps with their grief, but for others it can increase stress at a time when emotions are already high.
A gentle compromise, is to choose a poem or reading that you could read out, or your celebrant or minister could read this on your behalf.
We have compiled a selection of pieces, and hope that if you are looking for that perfect ode to one you have lost, you can find it here:
Look For Me In Rainbows by Anon
Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.
In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
Just look for me & love me,
As you know I love you.
Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.
In the evening sunset,
When all the world is through,
Just look for me & love me
And I’ll be close to you.
It won’t be forever, the day will come & then
My loving arms will hold you,
When we meet again.
Time for us to part now, we won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.
Every waking moment and
All your whole life through
Just look for me & love me,
As you know I loved you.
Just wish me near to you
And I’ll be there with you.
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep by 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 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.
Death Is Nothing At All by Henry Scott-Holland
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to 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 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 effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
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.
Afterglow by Helen Lowrie Marshall
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.
You’ve Just Walked On Ahead of Me by Joyce Grenfell
And I’ve got to understand
You must release the ones you love
And let go of their hand.
I try and cope the best I can
But I’m missing you so much
If I could only see you
And once more feel your touch.
Yes, you’ve just walked on ahead of me
Don’t worry I’ll be fine
But now and then I swear I feel
Your hand slip into mine.
Winnie the Pooh by A.A.Milne
If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together there is something you must always remember
You are braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we are apart I’ll always be with you.
Irish Blessing – Author Unknown
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.
Of course, this is just a small selection of poems and readings and over our many years of helping families arrange funerals, we have came across hundreds of pieces, meaning we can advise you when trying to decide on the most appropriate addition to your loved ones service.
If one of the poems above or one you have previously came across, is a piece you would like to feature in your own service when the time comes you can record your funeral wishes here, and include this as well as any other requests you would like your loved ones to take into consideration.
Record Your Funeral Wishes Here
