Many people choose to include readings or songs within a funeral ceremony. These can be written specifically for the occasion by friends or family of the loved one, or you can choose an existing piece that feels right for the day. We’ve included a selection of poems below which we have found to be popular with our families. There isn’t usually a cost for including poems or readings but you can check this with your chosen venue.
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.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!)
Written by Mary Elizabeth Frye
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared
Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It’s all part of the master plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know.
Laugh at all the things we used to do
Miss me, but let me go.
Written by Christina Rossetti
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: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
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.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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.
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Written by David Harkins
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.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just round the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
Written by Henry Scott-Holland
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 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’
Written by Gaynor Llewellyn
I wish I could give you many more years.
I wish I could erase away all of your tears.
I want to take away all of your pain.
I want to give you sunshine in the rain.
May each new day be a perfect gift.
May love surround you, may your spirits lift.
If someone had to describe you, so many words come to mind.
Beauty and grace, a heart so kind.
You radiate warmth like a blazing fire.
You are courage and wisdom. You truly inspire.
You attract like a magnet beautiful things.
You sparkle and shine like a diamond ring.
You light up a room when you walk in.
If someone feels sad, you can make them grin.
You are elegant and charming. You know right from wrong.
You are the melody from a beautiful love song.
You are a breath of fresh air on a hot summer’s night.
When there is darkness, you turn on the light.
I do not want these words to make you cry.
I do not want to ever say goodbye.
I believe miracles really do come true.
No one deserves one more than you.
Please know how many lives you touch.
These words are my present. You are loved so much.
Written by Deborah Chesnoff
Please, don’t cry.
I’m not really gone.
When you look out the window,
I’ll be standing on the lawn.
Please, don’t cry.
I’ll see you again.
Don’t be sad;
Keep up your chin.
Please, don’t cry.
I’m not really dead.
When you cry yourself to sleep,
I’ll be by your bed.
Please, don’t cry.
Just because we had to part,
As long as you remember me,
I’ll live in your heart.
Please, don’t cry.
I’m not gone forever.
I’ll be a cool and gentle breeze
In hot summer weather.
Please, don’t cry.
Don’t run and hide.
When you need a shoulder to lean on,
I’ll be by your side.
Please, don’t cry.
When you’re sad and weak,
I’ll be there
To kiss you on the cheek.
Please, don’t cry.
This is just a goodbye.
So please, oh please,
Baby, do not cry.
Written by Joe Green
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He (She) is Dead
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policeman wear black cotton gloves.
He (She) was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week, my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song:
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
Written by W. A. Auden
If you have a suggestion for a poem or reading which you think others might like, we’d love to hear it. You can use our contact form to send us message.
Thank you to all the team, especially Michael and Bernadette, for your professional and sympathetic support with our mum's funeral. We made lots of last-minute changes and you supported us all the way. We’d certainly recommend you.
The whole family would like to thank Harold White funeral directors for their kindness and care at such a sad time. Everything was excellent and done just as we wished.
The decisions that you need to make at a time when you are feeling heartbroken can feel really overwhelming. Bernadette, Martin and the team were so kind and compassionate. I can’t recommend them highly enough.
This is the second time we have needed to call upon the services of Harold White funeral directors. The experience was made easier by the huge sympathy and kindness shown by all staff. I would like to say a special thanks to Tracy who went over and above to make sure our needs were met.
From the first phone call I found Harold White an excellent company to deal with. There were no hidden costs. Everything was explained at our first appointment in an easy-to-understand way. When the time arises I will most definitely use their services again.
You can call us anytime on 0208 529 1530 or send us a message and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible. Please let us know if you’d prefer to receive an email rather than a telephone call (or vice versa).