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Funeral Poems
By Charles Sieger
Funerals and the many customs associated with marking
the passing of a loved one allow people to express
sadness over their loss. During times of grief and
change, people often turn to different forms of art to
and to express their pain. Usually, a close friend or
family member is asked to deliver a memorial speech,
also called to honor the deceased. Today, a eulogy can
take the form of a speech, a letter and even a poem.
Writing a funeral poem as part of a eulogy, to display
at the visitation or for your own comfort allows you to
use the art of language to convey what you're feeling.
Writing a funeral poem
If you choose to write a funeral poem, decide first who
the poem will be shared with. Will the poem be for your
own personal use or will it be for a group of people
sharing the loss of a loved one? If the poem is a
private expression to help you address your own
feelings, you can be more liberal in what you write.
Private verses allow you to be completely open about how
the deceased's passing makes you feel. This personal
type of poetry allows you to write about more intimate
or private memories that you may not be comfortable
sharing with others. Don't feel that you have to write
what others want to hear - just be honest in your
writing and people will appreciate your thoughts and
words. If you've decided to share your poem with others,
be sure to consider the thoughts and feelings of others
as you write.
Gathering your thoughts
After you've decided the purpose and audience of your
poem, take some quiet time to let your thoughts flow.
Think about the memories you have of your friend or
family member - your fondest times spent together, their
personality, passions and life achievements. Don't feel
hampered by rhyme structures or worry about your writing
skills - simply let the word come; a funeral poem that
takes the form of a verse, a letter or a speech is
perfectly suitable.
Delivering a funeral poem
Usually, a funeral poem is read during the If you choose
to deliver your poem during the service, bring a copy of
the poem to read from. Trying to memorize touching words
while you're coping with a host of emotions is very
difficult. It can be even harder to remember the words
if your voice falters or if you're uncomfortable
speaking in front of a group. Be sure to write legibly
in large type and take some time to review the poem
carefully several times.
You may prefer not to read your poem aloud, but still
share it with others. Consider writing out the poem and
displaying it in a frame at the visitation. Many funeral
homes offer memorial pamphlets to mourners. Heartfelt
words can be a touching addition to any funeral program
or pamphlet and are often kept as mementos.
If you've chosen to write a funeral poem just for
yourself you can preserve the poem in a frame on its own
or behind a picture. Some families choose to place a
memorial announcement in their local newspaper a year
after the loved one's passing. This is another option if
you feel more comfortable sharing your writing after
some time has passed.
Inspiration
If you're not sure where to begin, we suggest reading a
few of the classic poems below. Some of these poems are
about loss and grieving and others are about honoring
life. They can be used as inspiration, or can be read at
the funeral if you're having difficulty putting your own
thoughts into words.
o Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep - Mary Frye
o All is Well - Henry Scott Holland
o Death, Be Not Proud - John Donne
o The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls - Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow
o The Oak - Alfred Lord Tennyson
o No Coward Soul is Mine - Emily Bronte
o Remember - Christina Rossetti
o A Parable of Immortality - Henry Van Dyke
Funeral poems are a very personal expression of your
loss. While they can be touching and comforting for
others to hear, thoughts and emotions can also be
difficult to capture on paper. Talk to other people who
were close to the departed if you need inspiration for
your poem - this will help inspire you and allow you to
share your memories with others.
Charles Sieger is a writer for the online funeral
planning resource funeralplanning101.com. Her
grandmothers recent passing has given Gwen insight into
the various responsibilities associated with funeral
planning. |
