When planning a funeral or memorial for a loved one, you might consider reading funeral poems as part of the tributes.
A funeral or memorial usually includes a eulogy and tributes to the person being farewelled. Often, poems or readings are chosen to celebrate the person being remembered. So we've put together a selection of our favourite memorial and funeral poems for you to consider.
Funeral poems can be adapted to any ceremony with Bare Funerals - whether that’s a more traditional style of farewell, or a memorial service. To find out more about our funeral service options, visit the Bare Funerals website here, or call us on 1800 071 176
Memorial or funeral poems for Mum or Grandmother
A Poem for Mother, Dick Underwood
Mother, you were just a girl
So many years ago.
You had your loves and had your dreams
You watched us come and go.
You watched us make the same mistakes
That you had made before.
But that just made you hold us tight
And love us all the more.
We haven’t always thought about
The things that you have seen.
To us you’ve just been ‘Mother’
No thought of who you’ve been.
But we remember now in love,Your life from start to endAnd we’re just glad we knew you
As Mother, and as friend.
Her Smile
Though her smile is gone foreverand her hand I cannot touchI still have so many memories
Of the one I loved so much.
Her memory is now my keepsake
Which with I’ll never part.
God has her in her keeping
I have her in my heart.
Sadly missed, but never forgotten.
Memories in the Heart, Author Unknown
Feel no guilt in laughter, she knows how much you care.
Feel no sorrow in a smile that she’s not here to share.
You cannot grieve forever, she would not want you to.
She’d hope that you can 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 memories surround you.
A word someone may sayWill suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a dayThat brings her back as clearly as though she were still here
And fills you with the feelings that she is always near.
For if you keep these moments, you will never be apart
And she will live forever locked safe within your heart.
Memorial or funeral poems for Dad or Granddad
Moments Before, Kelly Horn
Moments before our walk that afternoon
I realised the path ended too soon.
Not long enough to hold his hand
this amazing person, this loving man.
Not long enough to engage his eyes
and remember his always brimming with pride.
Not long enough to stand by his side
as he was by mine after every rough tide.
Not long enough to laugh with him still
after every bad joke, after every tough hill.
Not long enough to walk with this man
who has taught me to be the person I am.
Not long enough as we walked by his wife
to thank them both for my wonderful life.
In all the walks I’ve taken in my lifefirst as a girl and now as a wife,I’ll remember that walk I took with my father
and always wish it could have been longer.
Memories of Dad, Author Unknown
I will take this special moment
To turn my thoughts to Dad.
Thank him for the home he gave
For all the things we had.
We think about the fleeting years
Too quickly, gone for good.
It seems like only yesterday
I’d go back if I could.
A time when Dad was always there,
No matter what the weather.
Always strong when things went wrong
He held our lives together.
He strived so hard from day to day
And never once complained.
With steady hands, he worked so hard
And kept the family name.
He taught us that hard work pays off
You reap just what you sow.
He said that if you tend your crops
Your field will overflow.
My life has been bountiful
He taught me how to give.
In his firm and steadfast way
He taught me how to live.
Dad dwells among the angels now
He left us much too soon.
He glides across a golden field
Above the harvest moon.
I see him in the summer rain,
He rides upon the wind.
And when my path is beaten down
He picks me up again.
Memorial or funeral poems for a child
Now they sleep, Author unknown
Oh, softly now they sleep, they sleep, 'tis we who stay awake.
We must not toll the bells of grief for their unselfish sake.
Tread softly now they sleep, they sleep, with the wildflowers on the hill.
If they could see our lonely eyes, 'tis they whose eyes would fill.
So softly now they sleep, they sleep
Loving babes at rest.
Yet always shall they wake and live
In hearts that loved them best.
Remembering you is easy
We do it every day.
It's the loss we feel without you
That will not go away.
We cry a tear, we whisper low
We love you ..........(name) more and more.
Memories are like stars that shine
They last until the end of time.
For those we love don't go away
They walk beside us every day.
The tears I cry are all in pain
I will not see your face again.
But in my heart you will always be
So very loved and dear to me.
Too Soon, Mary Yarnall
This was a life that had hardly begun.
No time to find your place in the sun.
No time to do all you could have done.
But we loved you enough for a lifetime.
No time to enjoy the world and its wealth.
No time to take life down off the shelf.
No time to sing the song of yourself.
Though you had enough love for a lifetime.
Those who live long endure sadness and tears.
But you’ll never suffer the sorrowing years.
No betrayal, no anger. No hatred, no fear.
Just love — only love — in your lifetime.
Religious memorial or funeral poems
God’s Garden, Melissa Shreve
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.
With the help of his angels, they flew you to your heavenly place.
God's garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew 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 too hard to climb.
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.
When tomorrow starts without me, Author unknown
When tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not there to see.
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today
While thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you.
And each time that you think of me
I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me
Please try to understand.
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand.
And said my place was ready
In heaven far above.
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But when I walked through heaven's gates
I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me
From His great golden throne.
He said, "This is eternity
And all I've promised you.
Today for life on Earth is past
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow
For today will always last.
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.
"So when tomorrow starts without me
Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me
I'm right here in your heart.
General Memorial or funeral poems
*His Journey’s Just Begun, Ellen Brenneman
Don’t think of him as gone away
His journey’s just begun.
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
From the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away.
And think of him as living
In the hearts of those he touched.
For nothing loved is ever lost
And he was loved so much.
*'His/he' can be replaced with 'Her/she'
If We Could Bring You Back Again, Joanna Fuchs
If we could bring you back again
For one more hour or day.
We’d express all our unspoken love
We’d have countless things to say.
If we could bring you back again,
We’d say we treasured you.
And that your presence in our lives
Meant more than we ever knew.
If we could bring you back again
To tell you what we should.
You’d know how much we miss you now
And if we could, we would.
Remember Me, Margaret Mead
To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated.
But to the happy, I am at peace.
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea — remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty — remember me.
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity — remember me.
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, your memories of the times we loved, the times we cried, the times we fought,
the times we laughed.
For if you always think of me, I will never be gone.
Fallen Limb, Author Unknown
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, 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.
Tribute music for planning a funeral or memorial
Music creates a certain atmosphere and sets the scene for a funeral or memorial. Playing a loved one’s favourite song or musician, or band can also add a personal touch to a memorable tribute.
Music to go behind a photographic reflection should reflect life, happy memories, joys of living. This is a time which highlights the deceased’s LIFE so keep that in mind and don’t make this selection too sad.
If you need some inspiration, read our article on The best songs for funerals and memorials. We’ve also created the below Spotify Funeral Songs playlist.
Final thoughts on funeral or memorial tributes and poems
Tributes and poems serve as a means for us to express our emotions and commemorate the cherished moments we shared with our loved ones. They give us a way to say things that might be hard to put into regular words. We're here to help you include these personal touches in your loved one's funeral service.
At Bare, we understand that there isn't just one way to bid farewell to a loved one. That's why we provide the option for both unattended cremation arrangements and a ceremony or service before or after the cremation takes place. A Bare Cremation or unattended cremation arrangement has no formal ceremony while a Bare Funeral includes a ceremony or service before or after the cremation. Both options provide meaningful ways to remember and honour a loved one, and the choice ultimately depends on individual and family preferences.
Let us help you say the perfect goodbye by providing the highest quality funeral service. We would be honoured to support you in planning a meaningful funeral or memorial ceremony with our dedicated funeral team. Visit our Bare Funerals website here, or get in touch. For immediate need, please call 1800 071 176; or for a prepaid Bare Cremation arrangement, please call 1800 202 901.
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