Poems and Readings for Funeral Services and End-of-Life Celebrations
Poems and readings for funerals and end-of-life celebrations are a very important part of saying goodbye.
Traditionally readings have been faith related but those families choosing my services as an Interfaith Minister tend to want more contemporary poems and
readings.
This of course does not exclude religious representations which are always included if requested. Finding out
what is important to the bereaved family and what they want for the farewell service of their loved one, is part of
what we discuss during my visit. Thinking about any choices let alone knowing what is available can be hard at such
a difficult time, so naturally I have a range of resources to offer.
From the services it has been my privilege to conduct over the years, here is a small selection of the most
popular choices.
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FOOTPRINTS (adapted from an original by Margaret Fishback
Powers)
"One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along a beach with God
and across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
one belonged to me and one to God.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me
I looked back at the footprints in the sand
and to my surprise,I noticed that many times along the path of my life
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times of my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned God about it.
“God, you told me when I decided to follow You,
You would walk with me all the way but I noticed
that during the most troublesome times of my life
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why in times when I needed
You most, You would leave me”
God whispered, “My precious, precious child,
I love you and would never, never leave you
during your times of trials and suffering.
When you see only one set of footprints, it
was then that I carried you”
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CHOICES
"You can shed tears that she’s 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 cannot see her
Or you can be full of the love you have 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."
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NOT, HOW DID HE DIE, BUT HOW DID HE
LIVE?
"Not how did he die, but how did he live?
Not what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not, what was his faith, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away."
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"IF I SHOULD GO" by JOYCE GRENFELL
"If I should go before the rest of you,
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Weep if you must,
Parting is Hell,
But life goes on,
So sing as well."
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More excellent poems for all occasions can be found
at www.poeticexpressions.co.uk
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