Funeral Poems

The readings families actually choose, with when each one fits.

Six readings carry most of the world’s funerals. All six are public domain and free to reprint in your programme. Two are printed here complete; the other four show the verses most often read aloud, marked as extracts — check the full text before printing if you want every stanza.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Mary Elizabeth Frye (1932)

The most requested funeral poem in English — comfort without religion; suits any service.

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

Henry Scott Holland (1910)

Spoken in the loved one’s own voice — families choose it when the person would have wanted everyone reassured.

Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow… Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity… All is well.

Extract — the verses most often read aloud. The full poem is longer.

Crossing the Bar

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1889)

The classic Christian farewell — the soul putting out to sea to meet its Pilot; beloved at traditional services.

Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea… Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar.

Extract — the verses most often read aloud. The full poem is longer.

Remember

Christina Rossetti (1862)

For the loved one who would rather be remembered smiling than mourned — the closing couplet undoes every room.

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.

Psalm 23

King James Version

The scripture reading that doubles as poetry — printed inside countless programmes.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul… Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me… Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Extract — the verses most often read aloud. The full poem is longer.

Invictus

W. E. Henley (1875)

For a fighter — chosen for those who met illness or hardship with an unbowed head.

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul… It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

Extract — the verses most often read aloud. The full poem is longer.

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Common questions

Where does a poem go in the programme?+

Most commonly on the back page beneath the acknowledgements, or beside the photo on the life-story page. In the order of service it appears as "Reading" or "Poem" with the reader's name.

Who reads the poem at the service?+

Often a grandchild or friend — it is the perfect role for someone who wants to take part but couldn't carry a full tribute.

Can we print these poems in our programme?+

Yes — every poem on this page is in the public domain and may be printed freely. Many modern poems are NOT; if you found a poem elsewhere, check before printing.