ÿþ<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/strict"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> <meta name="description" content="Non-religious and humanist poems and poetry readings for a funeral celebration of life or tribute"/> <meta name="keywords" content="Natural endings, Green and Alternative Funerals, Green Funerals, Alternative Funerals, Eco Funerals, Funerals, Funeral director, Ethical Funerals, Woodland Burials, Alternative Burials, Green Burials, Natural Burials, Funeral service, Funeral, Natural coffins, coffin, coffins, wicker coffins, willow coffins, bamboo coffins, Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire"/> <meta name="language" content="English"/> <meta name="author" content="Naturalendings.co.uk"/> <meta name="robots" content="INDEX FOLLOW"/> <meta name="revisit-after" content="30 days"/> <meta name="reply-to" content="enquiries@naturalendings.co.uk"/> <meta name="document-classification" content="Green and Alternative Funerals"/> <meta name="document-type" content="Public"/> <meta name="document-rating" content="General"/> <meta name="cache-control" content="Public"/> <title>funeral-poetry</title> <link href="/css/naturalendingsgold.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen"/> </head> <body> <div id="banner"> <br/> </div> <div id="mainmenu"> <ul> <li> <a href="/index.asp" title="Return to natural endings home page">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/green-funerals.asp" title="Read about environmentally / green funerals and woodland burials">Green Funerals</a> </li> <li> <a href="/alternative-funerals.asp" title="Read about alternative funerals">Alternative Funerals</a> </li> <li> <a href="/natural-coffins.asp" title="Willow, wicker, cardboard, bamboo and eco-coffins">Our Coffins</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us.asp" title="About Natural Endings Funerals">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/contact.asp" title="Contact Natural Endings Funerals by email or phone">Contact</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="content"> <h1>Funeral Poetry</h1> <div class="column left"> <h2></h2> <p><div align="center"><H2>Verse and Poems for Funeral Readings</H2> </div></p> <p>Are you looking for a verse or poem to read at a funeral? Maybe you would like to pay tribute to Mum or Dad with a funeral poem? There are many beautiful pieces of poetry, readings and verse that can enhance a funeral service or ceremony whether it is religious or non-religious. We have collected some of the best poems for funerals.</p> <P>(Natural Endings arrange funerals in Manchester, Cheshire, South Lancashire and some areas of Merseyside)</P> <p>The lower section of this page has religious readings. The upper section lists non-religious poems and readings (click <A HREF="non-religious-funerals.asp">here</A> for information about humanist/non-religious funerals)</p> <p><div align="center"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep</b></div></span></p> <div align="center"> Do not stand at my grave and weep; <br> I am not there. <br> I do not sleep. <br> I am a thousand winds that blow. <br> I am the diamond glints on snow. <br> I am the sunlight on ripened grain. <br> I am the gentle autumn's rain. <br> When you awaken in the morning's hush, <br> I am the swift uplifting rush <br> Of quiet birds in circled flight. <br> I am the soft stars that shine at night. <br> Do not stand at my grave and cry; <br> I am not there. <br> I did not die. <p><i><p align="right">Mary Frye</p></i></p></div> <p><DIV ALIGN="center"><B><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration: underline;">Death Is Nothing At All</SPAN></B></DIV></p> <p><div align="center">Death is nothing at all <br> I have only slipped away into the next room <br> I am I and you are you <br> Whatever we were to each other <br> That we are still <br> Call me by my old familiar name <br> Speak to me in the easy way you always used <br> Put no difference into your tone <br> Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow <br> Laugh as we always laughed <br> At the little jokes we always enjoyed together <br> Play, smile, think of me, pray for me <br> Let my name be ever the household word that it always was <br> Let it be spoken without effort <br> Without the ghost of a shadow in it <br> Life means all that it ever meant <br> It is the same as it ever was <br> There is absolute unbroken continuity <br> What is death but a negligible accident? <br> Why should I be out of mind <br> Because I am out of sight? <br> I am waiting for you for an interval <br> Somewhere very near <br> Just around the corner <br> All is well. <br> Nothing is past; nothing is lost <br> One brief moment and all will be as it was before <br> How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again! </div></p> <p><i><p align="right">Canon Henry Scott-Holland</p></i></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><div align="center">She Is Gone (He Is Gone)</div></b></span></p> <p><div align="center">You can shed tears that she is gone <br> Or you can smile because she has lived </div></p> <p><div align="center">You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back <br>Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left </div></p> <p><div align="center">Your heart can be empty because you can't see her <br>Or you can be full of the love that you shared </div></p> <p><div align="center">You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday <br>Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday </div></p> <p><div align="center">You can remember her and only that she is gone <br>Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on </div></p> <p><div align="center">You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back <br>Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on. </div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>David Harkins</i></p> </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><div align="center"><b>Let Me Go</b></div></span></p> <p><div align="center">When I come to the end of the road <br> And the sun has set for me <br> I want no rites in a gloom filled room <br> Why cry for a soul set free? <br> Miss me a little, but not for long <br> And not with your head bowed low <br> Remember the love that once we shared <br> Miss me, but let me go. <br> For this is a journey we all must take <br> And each must go alone. <br> It's all part of the master plan <br> A step on the road to home. <br> When you are lonely and sick at heart <br> Go the friends we know. <br> Laugh at all the things we used to do <br> Miss me, but let me go. </div></p> <p><div align="center">When I am dead my dearest <br> Sing no sad songs for me <br> Plant thou no roses at my head <br> Nor shady cypress tree <br> Be the green grass above me <br> With showers and dewdrops wet <br> And if thou wilt remember <br> And if thou wilt, forget.</div></p> <p><div align="center">I shall not see the shadows, <br> I shall not fear the rain; <br> I shall not hear the nightingale <br> Sing on as if in pain; <br> And dreaming through the twilight <br> That doth not rise nor set, <br> Haply I may remember, <br> And haply may forget.</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Christina Rosetti</i></p></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><div align="center"><b>Remember</b></div></span></p> <p><div align="center">Remember me when I am gone away, <br> Gone far away into the silent land; <br> When you can no more hold me by the hand, <br> Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. <br> Remember me when no more day by day <br> You tell me of our future that you planned: <br> Only remember me; you understand <br> It will be late to counsel then or pray. <br> Yet if you should forget me for a while <br> And afterwards remember, do not grieve: <br> For if the darkness and corruption leave <br> A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, <br> Better by far you should forget and smile <br> Than that you should remember and be sad. </div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Christina Rosetti</i></p></p> <p><div align="center">Our memories build a special bridge <br> When loved ones have to part <br> To help us feel were with them still <br> And soothe a grieving heart <br> They span the years and warm our lives <br> Preserving ties that bind <br> Our memories build a special bridge <br> And bring us peace of mind</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Emily Mathews</i></p></p> <p><div align="center">There is no night without a dawning <br> No winter without a spring <br> And beyond the dark horizon <br> Our hearts will once more sing .... <br> For those who leave us for a while <br> Have only gone away <br> Out of a restless, care worn world <br> Into a brighter day</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Helen Steiner Rice </i></p></p> <p><div align="center">You've just walked on ahead of me <br> And I've got to understand <br> You must release the ones you love <br> And let go of their hand.</div></p> <p><div align="center">I try and cope the best I can <br> But I'm missing you so much <br> If I could only see you <br> And once more feel your touch.</div></p> <p><div align="center">Yes, you've just walked on ahead of me <br> Don't worry I'll be fine <br> But now and then I swear I feel <br> Your hand slip into mine. </div></p> <BR> <BR> <BR> <p><div align="center">If I should die before the rest of you <br> Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone <br> Nor, when I'm gone, speak in a Sunday voice, <br> But be the usual selves that I have known. <br> Weep if you must <br> Parting is hell. <br> But life goes on. <br> So sing as well.</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Joyce Grenfell </i></p></p> <p><div align="center">If I should die and <br> Leave you here awhile <br> Be not like others sore undone, <br> Who keep long vigils <br> By the silent dust and weep. <br> For my sake turn again <br> To life and smile <br> Nerving thy heart <br> And trembling hand to do <br> Something to comfort <br> Other hearts than thine. <br> Complete these dear <br> Unfinished Tasks of mine, <br> And I, perchance <br> May therein comfort you.</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Mary Lee Hall </i></p></p> <p><div align="center">When I am dead, my dearest,<BR> Sing no sad songs for me;<BR> Plant thou no roses at my head,<BR> Nor shady cypress tree:<BR> With showers and dewdrops wet;<BR> And if thou wilt, remember,<BR> And if thou wilt, forget..</div></p> <p><div align="center">I shall not see the shadows,<BR> I shall not feel the rain;<BR> I shall not hear the nightingale<BR> Sing on, as if in pain;<BR> And dreaming through the twilight<BR> That doth not rise nor set,<BR> Haply I may remember<BR> And haply may forget.</div></p> <p align="right"><i>Christina Rossetti</i></p> <p><div align="center">At every turning of my life<BR> I came across<BR> Good friends,<BR> Friends who stood by me<BR> Even when the time raced me by.</div></p> <p><div align="center">Farewell, farewell<BR> My friends<BR> I smile and<BR> Bid you goodbye.<BR> No, shed no tears<BR> For I need them not<BR> All I need is your smile.</div></p> <p><div align="center">If you feel sad<BR> Do think of me<BR> For that's what I'll like.<BR> When you live in the hearts<BR> Of those you love<BR> Remember then<BR> You never die.</div></p> <P ALIGN="right"><I>Rabindranath Tagore</I></P> <p><div align="center"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration: underline;">Not, how did he die, but how did he live?</SPAN></div></p> <p><div align="center">Not, how did he die, but how did he live?<BR> Not, what did he gain, but what did he give?<BR> These are the units to measure the worth<BR> Of a man as a man, regardless of his birth.<BR> Nor what was his church, nor what was his creed?<BR> But had he befriended those really in need?<BR> Was he ever ready, with words of good cheer,<BR> To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?<BR> Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,<BR> But how many were sorry when he passed away?</div></p> <P ALIGN="right"><I>Anonymous</I></P> <p><div align="center">i carry your heart with me (i carry it in<BR> my heart) i am never without it (anywhere<BR> i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done<BR> by only me is your doing, my darling)<BR> i fear<BR> no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want<BR> no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)<BR> and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant<BR> and whatever a sun will always sing is you</div></p> <p><div align="center">here is the deepest secret nobody knows<BR> (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud<BR> and the sky of a tree called life; which grows<BR> higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)<BR> and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart</div></p> <p><div align="center">i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)</div></p> <P ALIGN="right"><I>e.e.cummings</I></P> <p><div align="center">What though the radiance which was once so bright<BR> Be now forever taken from my sight,<BR> Though nothing can bring back the hour<BR> Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;<BR> We will grieve not, rather find<BR> Strength in what remains behind.</div></p> <P ALIGN="right"><I>William Wordsworth, Intimations of Immortality</I></P> <p><div align="center">And when the stream that overflows has passed,<BR> A consciousness remains upon the silent shore of memory;<BR> Images and precious thoughts that shall not be<BR> And cannot be destroyed.</div></p> <P ALIGN="right"><I>William Wordsworth, from The Excursion</I></P> <p><div align="center"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><B>A Reflection on an Autumn Day</B></span></div></p> <p><div align="center">I took up a handful of grain and let it slip flowing through my fingers, and I said to myself</div></p> <p><div align="center">This is what it is all about. There is no longer any room for pretence. At harvest time the essence is revealed - the straw and chaff are set aside, they have done their job. The grain alone matters - sacks of pure gold.</div></p> <p><div align="center">So it is when a person dies the essence of that person is revealed. At the moment of death a person's character stands out happy for the person who has forged it well over the years. Then it will not be the great achievement that will matter, nor, how much money or possessions a person has amassed. These like the straw and the chaff, will be left behind. It is what he has made of himself that will matter. Death can take away from us what we have, but it cannot rob us of who we are.</div></p> <p><div align="center"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><B>Footprints on the sands of time</B></span></div></p> <p><div align="center">Tell me not, in mournful numbers,<BR> Life is but an empty dream! --<BR> For the soul is dead that slumbers,<BR> And things are not what they seem.</div></p> <p><div align="center">Life is real! Life is earnest!<BR> And the grave is not its goal;<BR> Dust thou art, to dust returnest,<BR> Was not spoken of the soul.</div></p> <p><div align="center">Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,<BR> Is our destined end or way;<BR> But to act, that each to-morrow<BR> Find us farther than to-day.</div></p> <p><div align="center">Art is long, and Time is fleeting,<BR> And our hearts, though stout and brave,<BR> Still, like muffled drums, are beating<BR> Funeral marches to the grave.</div></p> <p><div align="center">Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!<BR> Let the dead Past bury its dead!<BR> Act, -- act in the living Present!<BR> Heart within, and God o'erhead!</div></p> <p><div align="center">Lives of great men all remind us<BR> We can make our lives sublime,<BR> And, departing, leave behind us<BR> Footprints on the sands of time;</div></p> <p><div align="center">Footprints, that perhaps another,<BR> Sailing o'er life's solemn main,<BR> A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,<BR> Seeing, shall take heart again.</div></p> <p><div align="center">Let us, then, be up and doing,<BR> With a heart for any fate;<BR> Still achieving, still pursuing,<BR> Learn to labor and to wait.</div></p> <P ALIGN="right"><I>Henry Wadsworth Longfellow</I></P> <p><div align="center"><B>My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends It gives a lovely light!</B></div></p> <P ALIGN="right"><I>Edna St.Vincent Millay</I></P> <p><H2><div align="center">Readings With Faith </div></H2> </p> <p><div align="center">&#8220;&#8230;You would know the secret of death.<br /> But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?<br /> The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot<br /> unveil the mystery of light.<br /> If you would indeed behold the spirit of death,<br /> open your heart wide unto the body of life.<br /> For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.</em></p> <p>In the depth of your hopes and desires<br /> lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;<br /> And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow, your heart dreams of spring.<br /> Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity&#8230;</p> <p>For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?<br /> And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides,<br /> that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?</p> <p>Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.<br /> And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.<br /> And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance&#8230;&#8221;</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Kahlil Gibran</i></p></p> <p><div align="center">We seem to give them back to Thee, 0 God who gayest them to us. <br> Yet as Thou didst not lose them in giving, <br> So do we not lose them by their return. <br> Not as the world giveth, givest Thou 0 Lover of souls. <br> What Thou givest Thou takest not away, <br> For what is Thine is ours also if we are thine. <br> And life is eternal and love is immortal, <br> And death is only an horizon, <br> And an horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. <br> Lift us up, strong Son of God that we may see further; <br> Cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly; <br> Draw us closer to Thyself <br> That we may know ourselves to be nearer to our loved ones who are with Thee. <br> And while Thou dost prepare a place for us, prepare us also for that happy place, <br> That where Thou art we may be also for evermore.</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Bishop Brent</i></p></p> <p><div align="center">A ship sails and I stand watching till she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says She is gone <br> Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large now as when I last saw her. Her diminished size and total loss from my sight is in me, not in her. <br> And just at the moment when someone at my side says she is gone there are others who are watching her coming over their horizon and other voices take up a glad shout There she comes! <br> That is what dying is. An horizon and just the limit of our sight. Lift us up, Oh Lord, that we may see further</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Bishop Brent</i></p></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><div align="center"><b>Irish Blessing</b></div></span></p> <p><div align="center">May the roads rise up to meet you, <br> May the wind be always at your back, <br> May the sun shine warm upon your face, <br> May the rains fall soft upon fields <br> And until we meet again <br> May God hold you in the palm of his hand.</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Anon</i></p></p> <p><div align="center">Tis only we who grieve <br> They do not leave <br> They are not gone <br> They look upon us still <br> They walk among the valleys now <br> They stride upon the hill <br> Their smile is in the summer sky <br> Their grace is in the breeze <br> Their memories whisper in the grass <br> Their calm is in the trees <br> Their light is in the winter snow <br> Their tears are in the rain <br> Their merriment runs in the brook <br> Their laughter in the lane <br> Their gentleness is in the flowers <br> They sigh in autumn leaves <br> They do not leave <br> They are not gone <br> Tis only we who grieve</div></p> <p><div align="center">If only we could see the splendour of the land <br> To which our loved ones are called from you and me <br> We'd understand <br> If only we could hear the welcome they receive <br> From old familiar voices all so dear <br> We would not grieve <br> If only we could know the reason why they went <br> We'd smile and wipe away the tears that flow <br> And wait content.</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Anon</i></p></p> <p><div align="center">When we lose a loved one <br> Our world just falls apart <br> We think that we cant carry on <br> With this broken heart <br> Everything is different now <br> You're upset and you're annoyed <br> Your world it seems is shattered <br> There's such an awful void <br> There's got to be a reason <br> And we have to understand <br> God made us and at any time <br> Hell reach down for our hand <br> There might not be a warning <br> We won't know where or when <br> The only thing were certain of <br> Is well meet them once again.</div></p> <p><p align="right"><i>Anon</i></p></p> <p><div align="center"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><B>Responses for a Burial</B></span></div></p> <div align="center">Into the darkness and warmth of the earth <br> We lay you down <br> Into the sadness and smiles of our memories <br> We lay you down <br> Into the cycle of living and dying and rising again <br> We lay you down <br> May you rest in peace, in fulfilment, in loving <br> May you run straight home in God's embrace </div></p> <p align="right">Ruth Burgess</p> <p><div align="center"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><B>Responses for a Cremation</B></span></div></p> <p><div align="center">Into the freedom of wind and sunshine <br> We let you go <br> Into the dance of the stars and the planets <br> We let you go <br> Into the wind's breath and the hands of the star maker <br> We let you go <br> We love you, we miss you, we want you to be happy <br> Go safely, go dancing, go running home </div></p> <p align="right">Ruth Burgess</p> <p><div align="center">God looked around his garden <br> And found an empty place, <br> He then looked down upon the earth <br> And saw your tired face. <br> He put his arms around you <br> And lifted you to rest. <br> God's garden must be beautiful <br> He always takes the best. <br> He knew that you were suffering <br> He knew you were in pain. <br> He knew that you would never <br> Get well on earth again. <br> He saw the road was getting rough <br> And the hills were hard to climb. <br> So he closed your weary eyelids <br> And whispered, 'Peace be Thine'. <br> It broke our hearts to lose you <br> But you didn't go alone, <br> For part of us went with you <br> The day God called you home.</div></p> <p>Note; Other more contemporary writers and poets that you might want to consider are Philip Larkin, Margaret Hansford and C Day Lewis. We can not include newer poetry because of copyright.</p> </div> <div class="column right sidebar"> <h4></h4> <div id="sidenavcontainer"> <ul id="sidenavlist"> <a href="/buy-coffin-now.asp" title="read more about buying an eco-coffin for quick delivery">Buy a Coffin now</a> <a href="/green-funerals.asp" title="read more about buying an eco-coffin for next day delivery">Green Funerals</a> <a href="/alternative-funerals.asp" title="read more about buying an eco-coffin for next day delivery">Alternative Funerals</a> <a href="/football-funerals.asp" title="read more about funerals taking place at leading football and other sports venues">Football and sports funerals</a> <a href="/funeral-transport-hearses.asp" title="read more about buying an eco-coffin for next day delivery">Funeral Transport</a> <a href="/contact.asp" title="Contact Natural Endings for alternative, green and eco-friendly funerals">Contact us</a> <a href="/about-us.asp" title="Find out more about Natural Endings alternative, green and eco-friendly funerals">About Us</a> <a href="/links.asp" title="green funerals, eco-coffins, unusual hearses and non-religious funerals">Useful Links</a> <a href="/funeral-poetry.asp" title="verse and poems for funeral readings">Funeral Poetry</a> </ul></div> </div> <div id="footer"> email:<a href="mailto:enquiries@naturalendings.co.uk">enquiries@naturalendings.co.uk</a> | <a href="/contact.asp">Contact telephone</a> </div> </div></body></html>