10 beautiful funeral poems

Funeral poems are a popular part of the funeral service, serving as a poignant tribute to the person who has died. When your own words fail you, a poem can serve as a perfect funeral reading or eulogy.

Here are the opening lines of 10 beautiful poems for funerals. Click on the title to continue reading, or browse a larger collection of funeral verses, including non-religious funeral poems and short verses.

1. Afterglow – Helen Lowrie Marshall

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

2. Beyond the Empty Chair – Unknown

Look beyond the empty chair
To know a life well spent
Look beyond the solitude
To days of true content

3. Irish Blessing – Unknown

May the roads rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

4. Remember – Christina Rossetti

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.

5. Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep – Mary Elizabeth Frye

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.

6. When I’m Gone – Mrs. Lyman Hancock

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.

7. I Carry Your Heart – E.E. Cummings

I carry your heart with me
(I carry it in my heart)
I am never without it
(anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)

8. Farewell – Anne Brontë

Farewell to thee! but not farewell
To all my fondest thoughts of thee:
Within my heart they still shall dwell;
And they shall cheer and comfort me.

9. To Those Whom I Love and Those Who Love Me – Unknown

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.

10. You’ve Just Walked on Ahead of Me – Joyce Grenfell

You’ve just walked on ahead of me
And I’ve got to understand
You must release the ones you love
And let go of their hand.

Browse more poems for funerals for inspiration for your loved one’s funeral service.