Funeral Poems

One of Richard's strengths is his sensitivity to mood and atmosphere; you can be confident that he will strike precisely the tone you wish for at a time when it is very difficult to express your thoughts and feelings.

This poem was written for the funeral of David (with thanks to his son in law for allowing us to use the poem on the website)

My grandfather – he came to be
More than a grandfather to me.
In many ways a kind of Dad…
The father that I never had,

My inspiration, guiding light
Who taught me what was wrong and right.
With him much precious time was spent
I learned what love and kindness meant.

Generous, genuine and warm
The lives he touched he did transform:
In tribulations great and small
He was a model for us all.

And even when his ills were worst,
He always put us others first;
Whatever sickness, or what pain
You'd never hear him once complain.

And what was it we always heard?
"It's no bother" were his words.
He wasn't one to make a fuss
His sympathy was all for us.

Though each one in his own way grieves
To all an emptiness he leaves:
A space that no-one else can fill;
His favourite armchair's empty still.

A man we all were proud to know,
A man to whom so much we owe;
The nearest to a Saint I've met
But do real Saints enjoy a bet?

For me that doesn't make a sinner,
For me he always was the winner:
And there is no-one who would dare
To try and occupy his chair.

This is an extract of a poem written for the funeral of Emma's "Little Nana" (with thanks to Emma for allowing us to use the poem on the website)

I've searched as widely as I can
But no-one's had a better gran –
So calm and gracious and serene,
Far more regal than the Queen,
And much more loving and more fun
Loved by each and everyone.

I always thought it marvellous
With Nana looking after us.
On Christmas Eve she'd always stay
And so be there for Christmas Day.
She was, since I was very small,
The nicest present of them all.

She'd talk to me for hours on end,
Not as a grandchild, but a friend;
I sit admiring and in awe
Listening to stories of the war;
And I was sure that we had won
Because she'd built a Wellington.

This is an extract of a poem written for the funeral of Jackie (with thanks to Shirley for allowing us to use the poem on the website)

We met in Potters Bar, she said
That matters looked quite bleak;
She talked about her funeral
At which she hoped I'd speak.

She'd taken me quite by surprise,
She hoped I would agree;
And while I paused she bought iced buns
To eat while we drank tea.

The day was warm, we sat outside
The bun it tasted good;
And in between the sips of tea
I said "Of course I would."

It seemed quite inconceivable-
No drama and no fuss-
That here I'd be one day, and she
No longer here with us.

And so things were: 'the time' it came,
The closest by her side,
She was prepared and I feel sure
Was somehow satisfied …

Joanne and Alison and Mum
And Jim – she all adored
They were all there, she'd loved them well
And this was her reward.

From all life's pains and pleasures she
At last has gained release;
And she has earned, if any has,
The right to rest in peace.

This poem was written for the funeral of Vince (with thanks to his son for allowing us to use the poem on the website)

Some men are loud and self assured
Their words come easily
They seem to know more than they do
For they don't really see …

But Dad observed and saw so much
So quietly studying –
A man of few but careful words,
Who never missed a thing.

And though he is most silent now
His words I won't forget
(The ones he spoke in his last days
I see him speaking yet …)

He turned to me with heavy eyes
And whispered, "When I'm dead
I shall smile down upon you all
And I shall shake my head."

Those were his very words but now
I hear what you would say
Your words somehow
Flow freely now
That you have gone away …

"Though from the Bluebird Toffee Works
And all my colleagues there
From Beattie and my family
And love so rich and rare …

"Though from all this, it's time to go
And I at last am gone
Don't stand around and grieve for me
For Life it must go on:

"So cut the grass and weed the beds
And plant the peas and beans,
Make sure you take Jack for a walk
And keep the fishpond clean ….

"I don't expect you all to take
An interest in Antiques
But do be careful of M.P.s
Especially when they speak.

"And when you go to bed you may
Take whisky, like I did;
And, if in moderation used,
Then nothing is forbid.

"But above everything I say
To all of these be true …
To friends, relations, family
Like I have been to you."

We hear you dad, it's time to rest
How strange it is to hear
From one who was so quiet in life
Pronouncements loud and clear.

We won't forget this gentle man
Who had so much to give –
And so his memory in us
Makes Vince forever live.

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Funeral Poems

Example poems