![]() I know that another shall finish the task I surely must leave undone. I gave a share of my soul to the world, when and where my course is run. I have longed for death in the darkness and risen alive out of hell. I have known the peace of heaven, the comfort of work done well. I have struck my hand like a seal in the loyal hand of a friend. I have kissed young love on the lips, I have heard his song to the end, ![]() My cheeks like a drowsy child to the face of the earth I have pressed. I have run and leaped with the rain, I have taken the wind to my breast. ![]() I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky. Some are modern, some are ancient, but each can be helpful in putting words to what is experienced by those who are left behind.īecause I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die. Here, we have collected 101 of the best, most popular, and most enduring funeral poems in the English language. There are many works which contemplate life and death in a way that richly communicates our common humanity and as such are commonly used as funeral poems. Words such as these can transcend our own limited expressive abilities to portray a surpassing sense of love, longing, and grief. These can vary, from reasured classics, such as Tennyson’s In Memoriam or Stevenson’s Success, or famous religious texts like Psalm 23 or Newton’s Amazing Grace, or even anonymous lines like the epitaph on an Irish tombstone:ĭeath leaves a heartache no one can heal, This is where funeral poems can be extraordinarily helpful. Composing your own memorial poetry is a wonderful excercise which helps you work through and express your grief and love, but rare is the person who can craft words to say exactly what they want to say. A recitation of the departed loved one’s life and accomplishments is important, but rarely captures the poetic vitality of a beautiful life. Instead, as he embarks on his journey out to sea (or death) – or as he returns from whence he came – he hopes for a peaceful journey and to see his Pilot’s (God’s) face.Sometimes regular words are not enough. The ‘bar’ refers to a sandbar or submerged ridge between the ocean and a tidal river or estuary and the author hopes for a tide so large that there will be no waves on this ridge. Crossing The Bar by Alfred, Lord TennysonĪt first glance, this poem might appear to have little to do with death, but the metaphors it uses speak clearly of the transition from life to death. I felt an angel near today, sent to comfort me.ġ0. I felt an angel oh so close, though one I could not see I felt an angel’s silken wings enfold me with pure loveĪnd felt a strength within me grow, a strength sent from above I felt an angel’s tepid tears, fall softly next to mineĪnd knew that as those tears did dry a new day would be mine I felt an angel’s loving touch, soft upon my heartĪnd with that touch, I felt the pain and hurt within depart I felt an angel’s kiss, soft upon my cheekĪnd oh, without a single word of caring did it speak I felt an angel oh so close, sent to comfort me I felt an angel near today, though one I could not see It tells us never to overlook the presence of a deceased loved one – the angel described in these words.Įven though they may not be with us physically, they always remain with us in spirit. This poem about loss is not attributed to anyone in particular, but it is a true gift, whoever the author was. Nor, when I’m gone, speak in a Sunday voice,īut be the usual selves that I have known. Of course, it is always sad to say goodbye, but life has to go on and you have to keep on living it to the best of your abilities. It also urges us to never let go of hope – hope that we will soon find joy and smiles where now we have anguish and tears.Īnother poem written as if spoken by the departed, it urges those left behind to remain who they are and not let grief change them. Instead, it encourages us to cherish the fond memories we have of our loved one so as to keep them alive within us. ![]() This is another well known poem about death that reminds us not to think of it as a final goodbye.
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