Poetry
Memorial Poems
You want something that speaks from the heart and conveys how you felt about the deceased. So if you’re looking for a great choice of poems to say goodbye at your ceremony then these memorial poems will help you to make a lasting impression at their farewell ceremony.
Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
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 glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
Mary Elizabeth Frye
Fallen Limb
A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, “Grieve not for me”.
Remember the best times, the laughter and the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we’re together again.
Anonymous
Free
I am free to fly on wind,
To catch the breeze,
Floating where I please.
I am free to shine with the sun,
To light up the day
In my own special way.
I am free without my body,
To live on in your memory.
Anonymous
Gone Fishing
I’ve finished life’s chores assigned to me,
So put me on a boat headed out to sea.
Please send along my fishing pole
For I’ve been invited to the fishin’ hole.
Where every day is a day to fish,
To fill your heart with every wish.
Don’t worry, or feel sad for me,
I’m fishin’ with the Master of the sea.
We will miss each other for a while,
But you will come and bring your smile.
That won’t be long you will see,
Till we’re together you and me.
To all of those that think of me,
Be happy as I go out to sea.
If others wonder why I’m missin’
Just tell ’em I’ve gone fishin’
Dalmar Pepper
I Am Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following paths God made for me
I took his hand, I heard him call
Then turned, and bid farewell to all
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to sing, to play
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found my peace … at close of play
And if my parting left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened… deep with sorrow
I wish you sunshine of tomorrow
My life’s been full I’ve savoured much
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee
God wanted me now, He set me free.
Anonymous
In Memoriam
For a second you were flying
Like you always wanted to
Now you’ll fly forever
In skies of azure blue
We’ll see your smile in every ray
Of sunshine after rain
And hear the echo of your laughter
Over all the pain
The world’s a little quieter now
The colours have lost their hue
The birds are singing softly
And our hearts are missing you
Each time we see a little cloud
Or a rainbow soaring high
We’ll think of you and gently
Wipe a tear from our eye
Victoria Bruce
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.
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.
Anonymous
Memories of the Heart
Feel no guilt in laughter,
He knows how much you care.
Feel no sorrow in a smile
That he’s not here to share.
You cannot grieve forever,
He would not want you to.
He’d hope that you would carry on
The way you always do.
So talk about the good times
And the ways you showed you cared.
The days you spent together,
All the happiness you shared.
Let the memories surround you,
A word someone may say
Will suddenly recapture
A time, an hour, a day.
That brings him back as clearly
As though he were still here,
And fills you with the feelings
That he is always near.
For if you keep those memories
You will never be apart
And he will live forever
Locked safe within your heart.
Anonymous
Miss Me – But Let Me Go
For a second you were flying
Like you always wanted to
Now you’ll fly forever
In skies of azure blue
We’ll see your smile in every ray
Of sunshine after rain
And hear the echo of your laughter
Over all the pain
The world’s a little quieter now
The colours have lost their hue
The birds are singing softly
And our hearts are missing you
Each time we see a little cloud
Or a rainbow soaring high
We’ll think of you and gently
Wipe a tear from our eye
Victoria Bruce
Not Ready to Let You Go
I wish that I could tell you
I’m not ready to let you go.
But you’ve already departed,
And my heart is feeling so low.
I miss that little twinkle
That used to light up your eyes.
And I miss the sound of your voice,
Your laughter and your sighs.
But most of all I miss
The way you made me feel,
Like nothing could ever harm me because
Your love was so strong and real.
There are others here who miss you,
And they’ve gathered here today.
Your life touched so many people,
Who became your friends along the way.
They want you to know they love you, too.
And they’re filled with sadness and grief.
No one really wants to say goodbye,
So we’ll just wish you eternal peace.
Kelly Roper
This is Real
This is real. This is very real.
This is absolutely inescapable.
And we are utterly unprepared.
And we have nothing to offer but each other and our broken hearts.
And that will be enough.
Rabbi Alan Lew
To Those Whom I Love and Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.
Anonymous
When We Lose a Loved One
When we lose a loved one
Our world just falls apart
We think that we cannot carry on
With this broken heart
Everything is different now
You’re upset and you’re annoyed
Your world it seems is shattered
There’s such an awful void
There’s got to be a reason
And we have to understand
God made us and at any time
He will reach down for our hand
There might not be a warning
We won’t know where or when
The only thing were certain of
Is that we will meet again.
Anonymous
Without You
Sunrise has lost its magic
As it heralds a brand new day.
Sunsets now only bid goodbye
As dreams just melt away.
The stars no longer shine
The sun has lost its glow.
The moon looks down
With sadden eyes
As if it seems to know.
From days of colour
To black and white
A sky no longer blue.
The winds of change
Brought stormy days.
That’s my world
Without you.
John P Read
You’ve Just Walked on Ahead of Me
You’ve Just Walked on Ahead of Me
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.
Joyce Grenfellp
A Butterfly Lights Beside Us
A butterfly lights beside us, like a sunbeam …
and for a brief moment, its glory
and beauty belong to our world …
but then it flies on again, and although
we wish it could have stayed,
we are so thankful to have seen it at all.
Anonymous
A Silent Tear
Just close your eyes and you will see
All the memories that you have of me
Just sit and relax and you will find
I’m really still there inside your mind
Don’t cry for me now I’m gone
For I am in the land of song
There is no pain, there is no fear
So dry away that silent tear
Don’t think of me in the dark and cold
For here I am, no longer old
I’m in that place that’s filled with love
Known to you all, as “UP ABOVE”
Gaynor Llewellyn
Afterglow
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’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 I leave
Behind – when day is done.
Helen Lowrie Marshall
Celebrate
Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul’s sweet flight
I am at peace, my soul’s at rest
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.
Anonymous
Crossing Over
Oh, please don’t feel guilty
It was just my time to go.
I see you are still feeling sad,
And the tears just seem to flow.
We all come to earth for our lifetime,
And for some it’s not many years
I don’t want you to keep crying
You are shedding so many tears.
I haven’t really left you
Even though it may seem so.
I have just gone to my heavenly home,
And I’m closer to you than you know.
Just believe that when you say
my name, I’m standing next to you,
I know you long to see me,
But there’s nothing I can do.
But I’ll still send you messages
And hope you understand,
That when your time comes to
cross over, I’ll be there to take your hand.
Anonymous
I Have Not Gone
You think I’ve gone, that I am dead, and life has lost its will,
But look around, I am right there, living with you still
I watch your tears, I feel your pain – I see the things you do
I weep as well, each time you cry, my soul, it lives with you
It gives such joy to hear you laugh, and do the things you do
And when you smile o’er bygone days, I smile right with you too
For we’re still one, just you and me, one mind, one soul, one being
Walking forward into life, though only you are seen
And in the stillness of the night, when the pain it really starts
Stretch out a little with your mind and draw me to your heart
For I am always right in there, always by your side
For you have been, all my life’s days, my joy, my love my pride.
Anonymous
I Wrote Your Name
I wrote your name in the sand,
But the waves washed it away.
I wrote your name in the sky,
But the wind blew it away.
So I wrote your name in my heart,
And that’s where it will stay, always”
Anonymous
If Roses Grow in Heaven
Don’t think of her as gone away,
Her journey’s just begun.
Life holds so many facets,
This earth is only one.
Just think of her as resting
from the sorrows and the tears,
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years.
Think how she must be wishing
That we could know today,
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away.
And think of her as living
In the hearts of those she touched,
For nothing loved is ever lost
And she was loved so much.
Kirsten Preus
I'll Be Waiting for You
Although your heart may be broken,
There’s no need to weep for me.
I’m in a wonderful place now,
Where I’m happy and so carefree.
I had to go, but I’ve left behind
Good memories to comfort you.
Concentrate on the best times we had,
And try not to feel so blue.
For one day we’ll be together again,
To laugh and sing and play.
You’ll be so glad to see me again,
It will seem I was gone just one day.
So try to lift up your heads now,
And dare to set grief aside,
Because I’ll be waiting here for you,
To welcome you to the other side.
Kelly Roper
Into the Freedom
Into the freedom of wind and sunshine
We let you go
Into the dance of the stars and the planets
We let you go
Into the wind’s breath and the hands of the star maker
We let you go
We love you, we miss you, we want you to be happy
Go safely, go dancing, go running home
Ruth Burgess
Please Be Strong
Please be strong while I’m away
Have faith in all that is today
Although I’m gone, I’m with you always,
And when you smile, I’m there
Please don’t cry for you can’t see me,
I’m always there for when you need me
Although I’m gone, you’re in my heart,
And when you smile, I’m there.
Forgotten I know that I will not be,
I know that you think often of me
We’ll meet again, for now in prayer,
For when you smile, please know I’m there.
Alex Jamieson
Remember
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 planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel them 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 I once had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
Christina Rossetti
The Day God Called You Home
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, ‘Peace be thine’.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
Anonymous
The Ship
What is dying?
A ship sails and I stand watching it till it fades on the horizon.
Someone at my side says, “She is gone.”
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large as when I saw her.
The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not in her.
And just at that moment, when someone at your side says, “She is gone”
There are others who are watching her coming.
And other voices take up the glad shout.
“Here she comes!”
And that is dying.
Bishop Charles Henry Brent
There is No Night without a Dawning
There is No Night without a Dawning
No winter without a spring
And beyond the dark horizon
Our hearts will once more sing ….
For those who leave us for a while
Have only gone away
Out of a restless, care worn world
Into a brighter day
Helen Steiner Rice