Popular Funeral Readings and Poems as chosen by Lynne Worrell, Funeral Celebrant

As a celebrant, I often ask families what Popular Funeral Readings and Poems they want to hear at their loved ones’ funerals.

The most popular is David Harkins ‘He (or She) is Gone’. It discusses the choices we make when we lose someone—should we be forever sad and lonely, or should we celebrate their lives as they would want us to?

Another popular but less well-known poem is ‘Finding You in Beauty’ by Walter Rinder. This poem is about seeing a loved one in the beauty of the world around us and finding serenity amid the dramas of life.

I believe my favourite poem for a funeral is ‘Idyll’ by Siegfried Sassoon. It expresses the peace we all strive for and the calm acceptance of death as a natural part of life, not an end. It conveys the message: ‘It’s OK, don’t worry, you’re always here with me, I still feel you, you’re not gone,’ as we embrace their physical loss with dignity and peace, knowing their spirit lives on.

Just because we use these popular funeral readings and poems most often does not mean they are suitable for your loved one. Always choose those that are meaningful and appropriate to your needs, not necessarily what others might expect to hear.

Finding You in Beauty – Walter Rinder

The rays of light filtered through
The sentinels of trees this morning.
I sat in the garden and contemplated.
The serenity and beauty
Of my feelings and surroundings
Completely captivated me.
I thought of you.
I discovered you tucked away,
In the shadows of the trees.
Then, rediscovered you,
In the smiles of the flowers
As the sun penetrated their petals.
In the rhythm of the leaves
Falling in the garden.
In the freedom of the birds
As they fly searching, as you do.
I’m very happy to have found you.
Now you will never leave me.
For I will always find you
In the beauty of life

Idyll – by Siegfried Sassoon

In the grey summer garden I shall find you
With day-break and the morning hills behind you.
There will be rain-wet roses; stir of wings;
And down the wood a thrush that wakes and sings.
Not from the past you’ll come, but from that deep
Where beauty murmurs to the soul asleep:
And I shall know the sense of life re-born
From dreams into the mystery of morn
Where gloom and brightness meet. And standing there
Till that calm song is done, at last we’ll share
The league-spread, quiring symphonies that are
Joy in the world, and peace, and dawn’s one star.

Our most popular Funeral Readings and Poems
She is Gone – by David Harkins

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 will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,
Or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow, because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she is gone,
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what she would want:

Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.