Home › Writing Guides › Poems and readings for funerals

Poems and readings for funerals

A well-chosen poem or reading can give mourners something to hold onto — a few lines that feel true about the person who has died, or about what loss feels like. This guide covers the most meaningful choices, from traditional favourites to contemporary pieces, with guidance on how to pick the right one for your service.

How to choose a reading

The best funeral reading is one that would have resonated with the person who has died, or that speaks honestly to the grief of those left behind. Ask yourself:

You don't need to use a famous poem. A passage from a favourite book, a verse from a song they loved, or even a few lines they wrote themselves can be just as powerful.

Most requested funeral poems

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep — Mary Elizabeth Frye (1932)

The most requested funeral poem in the UK and one of the most widely read at English-speaking funerals worldwide. It offers comfort through the idea that the person lives on in the natural world. Suitable for any service, religious or non-religious.

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 glints on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft star-shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.

Remember — Christina Rossetti (1849)

A tender, honest poem written for those left behind. It gently gives mourners permission to remember and then move on. Often read at Church of England and humanist services alike.

Remember (first stanza)

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 plann'd: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray.

If — Rudyard Kipling (1910)

Often read at the funerals of men who lived by strong principles. It lists the qualities of an admirable life — patience, courage, perseverance, humility. Read the full poem aloud before choosing; it takes about 2 minutes.

Crossing the Bar — Alfred Lord Tennyson (1889)

A calm, accepting poem about death as a gentle crossing from this world to the next. Popular at Church of England services and for those with a maritime connection.

Include readings in your order of service

Our templates have a dedicated section for readings, or use the Tribute Creator to build a complete personalised order of service.

Create an order of service →

Non-religious and humanist readings

She Is Gone (He Is Gone) — David Harkins

One of the most frequently requested non-religious readings at British funerals. It offers two framings — grief or gratitude — and invites mourners to choose. Read the first stanza; it is enough.

She Is Gone (opening)

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'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see her, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

The Dash — Linda Ellis

A contemporary poem about the dash on a gravestone between the birth year and the death year — what fills it is a life. Warm, accessible, and works well at celebration-of-life services.

Death Is Nothing at All — Henry Scott Holland (1910)

Perhaps the most comforting reading in this list. It imagines death as simply stepping into another room — the person is still close, still the same. Very popular at Church of England funerals.

Death Is Nothing at All (opening)

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.

Bible readings for Christian funerals

These are among the most commonly chosen scripture passages for Church of England, Catholic, and other Christian funeral services:

Uplifting and celebration-of-life readings

To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me — Isla Paschal Richardson

A gentle, forward-looking poem that asks mourners not to grieve too long. Ends on a note of hope and warmth. Often requested for celebration-of-life services.

When I Am Gone — Rosamund Aylward

A comforting poem written from the perspective of the person who has died, asking those they love to carry on living fully. Warm, intimate, and well-suited to non-religious services.

Readings for specific losses

For a parent

Consider Tennyson's Crossing the Bar, Kipling's If (for a father), or a passage from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 3:1–9) which speaks of the righteous living on after death.

For a young person

Mary Frye's Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep works particularly well. You might also choose a passage from a book they loved, or lyrics from a song that meant something to them — introduced in the order of service as "words from a song [Name] loved."

For a spouse or partner

1 Corinthians 13 ("love is patient, love is kind") resonates deeply, as does Elizabeth Barrett Browning's How Do I Love Thee. For a non-religious service, consider Pablo Neruda's Tonight I Can Write — powerful, honest, and occasionally requested.

Practical tips for the reading

Ready to create your order of service?

Our templates and Tribute Creator include dedicated sections for readings and poems — formatted beautifully for print.

See templates and pricing →

More free guides