When you lose someone special, finding the right words to say goodbye can be incredibly challenging. You want to honour their memory and say something meaningful that comforts you and their loved ones. It’s a tall order, especially when grief makes it hard to think clearly.
Poetry can offer a unique solution. The right poem can capture something special about the person who has died and express it beautifully and poignantly. While many touching poems are available for funerals, a personalised poem goes further, offering personal details, encapsulating a person’s life, and honouring their story in a way that resonates deeply with those left behind.
How Poetry Can Comfort During Loss
People often include poems alongside readings in funeral programs because they can express emotions that are difficult to convey otherwise. These poems don’t necessarily have to be about death or goodbyes; they can be about love, life, or anything that speaks to you or reminds you of the deceased. Meanwhile, a poem’s tone, cadence, and sentiment engage a different part of our brain, offering a comfort that goes beyond words.
Poetry can also be a valuable resource for people in mourning and is often used in condolence poems and notes of sympathy. Words have incredible power, and poetry can help soothe the heart and mind in ways that prose simply can’t.
Exploring Different Types of Funeral Poems
There are many different funeral poems, each serving a specific purpose. Some poems confront the reality of death head-on, allowing us to sit in our grief. W. H. Auden’s iconic “Funeral Blues” exemplifies this with its opening lines: “Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, / Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.” These poems offer a safe space to acknowledge the finality of death.
Other poems focus on remembrance, encouraging us to cherish the memories of our loved ones. Christina Rossetti’s “Remember” offers a gentle reminder: “Remember me when I am gone away, / Forget not then how I did love you well.” These poems provide comfort by keeping the deceased alive in our hearts and minds.
Finally, some poems encourage us to move forward and find solace in the life we still have. Mary Elizabeth Frye’s “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” embodies this sentiment: “Do not stand at my grave and weep, / I am not there; I do not sleep.” These poems offer a gentle nudge towards healing, reminding us that our loved ones wouldn’t want us to be consumed by sorrow.
Why Consider Personalised Funeral Poetry?
While pre-written poems offer comfort, a personalised poem takes things a step further. It allows you to share specific memories and express your love in a way that is uniquely yours. Unlike traditional eulogies, poetry can capture the essence of a person without merely listing their accomplishments and anecdotes. It injects personality and spirit into the lines, honouring their memory in a unique way. A personalised poem can also create a lasting tribute. It can be displayed by the family to keep the memory alive, included on a memorial site, or preserved in a book of tribute.
Ultimately, choosing the right poem, whether a beloved classic or a personalised piece, is about finding what fits best for you and your family. What’s important isn’t which piece you choose, but that poetry offers comfort, provides solace, and helps you navigate the difficult journey of saying goodbye.