Hi there I'm trying to find some poetry that would be suitable to be read at a funeral, and I thought there was bound to be some people on this forum who have a good knowledge of poetry, because I certainly don't so all help will be much appreciated. Crucially, I'm not looking for anything sad or depressing in any way, I want something bright, hopeful and uplifting, and it certainly doesn't have to have been written specifically for a funeral. I'm looking for stuff on the internet as well, but sometimes suggestions from real people are much more helpful. Thanks very much in advance.
Well, you could do worse than have a rummage through Shaw's work. I went looking for some last year and there were about a half dozen of his that were suitable. I can't remember which now. i seem to remeber findong a Wilde Poem that was good as well.
I have just the thing for you here it is It is by W H Auden and it is called Funeral Blues Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message 'He is Dead'. Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest, My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong. The stars are not wanted now; put out every one, Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun, Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood; For nothing now can ever come to any good.
Maybe try to write your own?? Are you a poet?? Otherwise get someone you know or off the writers forum who is knowledgeable with poetry to help you write it.
Lord Tennyson's poem In Memoriam has some really beautiful, uplifting passages about death and moving on and the importance of life, etc. But it also has a lot of horrendously depressing stuff, so you'd need to choose the verses carefully.
This is your best choice. If you want something a little more modern Seamus Heaney's book Station Island is worth checking out: it's poems deal with death and the passage of time.
you can use this one of mine, if you feel it's suitable [it's written somewhat in the irish vernacular, as that's how it came to me, how i hear it... as with the auden piece, it's not really uplifting or light, but then death never is, is it?... Till Death Us Do Part The dyin' see an end, they can leave their death behind... while to those of us who love them, life ne'er again seems kind. Their suff'rin' has a limit, beyond which they can't feel... but for those of us who love them, the pain stays all too real. The dyin' see the end, they know they'll soon be gone... far from those of us who love them, while we must still stay on. Their will to live soon goes, surrendered to death's call... but in those of us who love them, hope yet reigns over all. The dyin' see an end, to them the fates are kind... while those of us who love them, who need so much more of them... to death still not resigned, cry, "Don't leave me behind!"
