Beautiful Readings and Poems for a Funeral
Helping you choose the perfect piece for your loved one!
Last Journey
by Timothy Coote
There is a train at the station
With a seat reserved just for me
I’m excited about its destination
As I’ve heard it sets you free
The trials and tribulations
The pain and stress we breathe
Don’t exist where I am going
Only happiness I believe
I hope that you will be there
To wish me on my way
It’s not a journey you can join in
It’s not your time today
There’ll be many destinations
Some are happy, some are sad
Each one a brief reminder
Of the great times that we’ve had
Many friends I know are waiting
Who took an earlier train
To greet and reassure me
That nothing has really changed
We’ll take the time together
To catch up on the past
To build a new beginning
One that will always last
One day you’ll take your journey
On the train just like me
And I promise that I’ll be there
At the station and you will see
That life is just a journey
Enriched by those you meet
No-one can take that from you
It’s always yours to keep
But now as no seat is vacant
You will have to muddle through
Make sure you fulfil your ambitions
As you know I’ll be watching you
And if there’s an occasion
To mention who you knew
Speak kindly of that person
As one day it will be you
Now I can’t except this ending
And as it’s time for me to leave
Please make haste to the reception
To enjoy my drinks, they’re free!
Why I love it:
I love the imagery in this poem. The idea of a train journey can offer a gentle way of thinking about death and what might come next, without making the reading feel too sombre. The suggestion that loved ones who have died before are waiting at the other end can also bring comfort to families who like to imagine a reunion.
I particularly love the way it ends as it is a lovely reminder that the personality of the person who has died can still shine through, even during a difficult ceremony.
Farewell My Friend
by Gitanjali Ghei
It was beautiful as long as it lasted, the journey of my life, I have no regrets whatsoever, save the pain I’ll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care, and the heavy with sleep ever moist eyes, the smile in spite of a lump in the throat and the strings pulling at the heart and soul,
The strong arms that held me up when my own strength let me down, each morsel that I was fed with was full of love.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends, friends who stood by me, even when the time raced me by.
Farewell farewell my friends, I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears, for I need them not, all I need is your smile, If you feel sad, do think of me, for that’s what I’ll like, when you live in the hearts of those you love, remember then…… you never die.
Why I love it:
This is a simple but incredibly heartfelt poem about friendship, love and the journey through life.
The line “I have no regrets whatsoever” is particularly powerful and could resonate with someone who lived life fully. I also love the references to the people who offered strength and support when the writer's own strength failed. For someone who experienced illness, adversity or challenging times, these words can feel particularly meaningful.
A Long Cup of Tea
by Michael Ashby
Death is too negative for me
So I'll be popping off for a long cup of tea
Do splash out on two bags in the pot
And for my god's sake keep the water hot
Please pick the biggest mug you can find
Size really does matter at this time
I'll pass on the lapsang with that souchong
And that stuff with bergamot
And stick with my favourite friend
You know the English breakfast blend
Breakfast! thanks for reminding me
There's just time before I fail
To stand on ceremony
Two rashers of best back, Should keep me
Smelling sweet up the smokestack
So, mother, put the kettle on for me
It's time, mother, for my long cup of tea
Why I love it:
If the person you're remembering was a tea lover, this could be a wonderfully personal choice! It would be particularly lovely for someone who had a positive outlook on life, enjoyed a good cup of tea, or simply wouldn't have wanted their funeral to be overly serious.
Sometimes a little humour is exactly what makes a funeral feel like them.
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle
Some things in life are bad,
They can really make you mad,
Other things just make you swear and curse,
When you're chewing life's gristle,
Don't grumble,
Give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best.
And…
Always look on the bright side of life.
If life seems jolly rotten,
There's something you've forgotten,
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps,
Don't be silly chumps.
Just purse your lips and whistle.
That's the thing.
And...
Always look on the bright side of life.
For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word.
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin.
Give the audience a grin.
Enjoy it. It's your last chance, anyhow.
So...
Always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath.
Life's a piece of shit,
When you look at it.
Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true.
You'll see it's all a show.
Keep 'em laughing as you go.
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
And...
Always look on the bright side of life.
Why I love it:
For someone with a wicked sense of humour, a wonderfully positive outlook, or simply a love of Monty Python, this could be a brilliant choice.
Taken from Monty Python’s Life of Brian, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” is perhaps an unexpected choice for a funeral…and that is exactly why I love it.
It can bring a moment of laughter and lightness to a ceremony, particularly for someone who would have appreciated the irony and humour of hearing it at their own funeral.
We’ll Meet Again
by Vera Lynn
Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear
Just for a while dear we must part
Don't let this parting upset you
I'll not forget you, sweetheart
We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
'Til the blue skies chase those dark clouds far away
And I will just say hello
To the folks that you know
Tell them you won't be long
They'll be happy to know
That as I saw you go
You were singing this song
We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
And I will just say hello
To the folks that you know
Tell them you won't be long
They'll be happy to know
That as I saw you go
You were singing this song
We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
Why I love it:
There is something incredibly comforting about We’ll Meet Again. For many people, the song carries a strong sense of nostalgia, but its message is also beautifully simple: this goodbye isn't necessarily forever.
The idea of meeting again can be particularly meaningful for families who find comfort in believing that they will be reunited with their loved one one day.
The Little Prince
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“You - you alone will have the stars as no one else has them...In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night...You - only you - will have stars that can laugh.”
Why I love it:
This beautiful passage from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince offers a gentle and comforting way of thinking about someone continuing to be present in the world around us, even after they have died.
I think this would be particularly poignant for someone who loved looking at the stars, enjoyed the outdoors, or simply found comfort in the idea that the people we love never completely leave us.
Milk and Honey
by Rupi Kaur
“most importantly love
like it's the only thing you know how
at the end of the day all this
means nothing
this page
where you're sitting
your degree
your job
the money
nothing even matters
except love and human connection
who you loved
and how deeply you loved them
how you touched the people around you
and how much you gave them”
Why I love it:
This is a short but powerful poem about what really matters in life: love and human connection.
I think this would work beautifully as part of a Celebration of Life, particularly for someone who lived in the moment, loved deeply and didn't allow the small things in life to take over.
Choosing the right funeral reading
There really is no “right” funeral poem or reading. The most important thing is that it feels appropriate for the person and the family.
The best ceremonies are personal. They should reflect the individual, tell their story and give those who knew and loved them a chance to say goodbye in a way that feels authentic to them.
(If your loved one was were funny, let their funeral be funny. If they loved music, include their favourite lyrics. If they were a hopeless tea addict, perhaps a poem about a very long cup of tea is exactly right!)
CG Celebrancy
As a Funeral Celebrant, I work closely with families to create personal, meaningful ceremonies that reflect the life, personality and wishes of the person being remembered.