Choosing a reading is often one of the first things a family is asked to do. Start with the filters below: whether the service is religious, how long you'd like the reading to be, and who it's for. Each reading has a short note on why people choose it and roughly how long it takes to read aloud.
Find a poem or reading
27 poems and readings
Remember
Christina Rossetti
A sonnet asking the people left behind to remember, but not to be sad if they sometimes forget. One of the most chosen poems at funerals.
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.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
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. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad.Crossing the Bar
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Written late in Tennyson's life, about putting out to sea at the end of the day. Often chosen for someone who lived a long life or loved the sea. It mentions a "Pilot", which many read as God.
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
Crossing the Bar Alfred, Lord Tennyson Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar.Requiem
Robert Louis Stevenson
Eight lines Stevenson wrote as his own epitaph. It suits someone who loved the outdoors, travel or the sea. The second verse can be read as "she" instead of "he".
Under the wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me:
Here he lies where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
Requiem Robert Louis Stevenson Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie. Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill.Song (When I am dead, my dearest)
Christina Rossetti
Asks for no sad songs, only green grass and rain. Gentle and quiet, and short enough for a nervous reader.
When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.
I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
Song (When I am dead, my dearest) Christina Rossetti When I am dead, my dearest, Sing no sad songs for me; Plant thou no roses at my head, Nor shady cypress tree: Be the green grass above me With showers and dewdrops wet; And if thou wilt, remember, And if thou wilt, forget. I shall not see the shadows, I shall not feel the rain; I shall not hear the nightingale Sing on, as if in pain: And dreaming through the twilight That doth not rise nor set, Haply I may remember, And haply may forget.Up-Hill
Christina Rossetti
Questions and answers about a long journey that ends at an inn with a bed for everyone. It is usually read as being about faith and rest at the end of life.
Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day's journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labour you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
Up-Hill Christina Rossetti Does the road wind up-hill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Will the day's journey take the whole long day? From morn to night, my friend. But is there for the night a resting-place? A roof for when the slow dark hours begin. May not the darkness hide it from my face? You cannot miss that inn. Shall I meet other wayfarers at night? Those who have gone before. Then must I knock, or call when just in sight? They will not keep you standing at that door. Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak? Of labour you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come.Death, be not proud
John Donne
A sonnet that speaks directly to death and says it has no real power. It suits a religious service and someone who faced illness with courage.
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
Death, be not proud John Donne Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be, Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow, And soonest our best men with thee do go, Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery. Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men, And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell, And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then? One short sleep past, we wake eternally And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.Fear no more the heat o' the sun
William Shakespeare, from Cymbeline (extract)
The first verse of a song from the play, saying that the person's work is done and they can rest. Suits someone who worked hard all their life.
Fear no more the heat o' the sun,
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages:
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
Fear no more the heat o' the sun William Shakespeare, from Cymbeline Fear no more the heat o' the sun, Nor the furious winter's rages; Thou thy worldly task hast done, Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages: Golden lads and girls all must, As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.Peace, my heart
Rabindranath Tagore, from The Gardener
A short, gentle piece about letting a parting be sweet. It suits a calm service and a reader who wants something simple.
Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death but completeness.
Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest.
Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night.
Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence.
I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
Peace, my heart Rabindranath Tagore, from The Gardener Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet. Let it not be a death but completeness. Let love melt into memory and pain into songs. Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest. Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night. Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence. I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.On Death
Kahlil Gibran, from The Prophet (extract)
An extract from the end of the passage on death in The Prophet. It is spiritual without belonging to one religion, which suits many mixed families.
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
On Death Kahlil Gibran, from The Prophet For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.No man is an island
John Donne, from Meditation XVII (extract)
A short piece of prose about how every death touches all of us. Often read at the funeral of someone who was part of a close community.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Out of copyright, with modern spelling. Free to read aloud and to print.
No man is an island John Donne, from Meditation XVII No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.Psalm 23
The Bible, King James Version
"The Lord is my shepherd." One of the most familiar readings at any religious funeral.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
Psalm 23 The Bible, King James Version The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.Psalm 121
The Bible, King James Version
"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills." A short psalm about being watched over, often chosen for someone who loved walking or the hills.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
Psalm 121 The Bible, King James Version I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.A time for everything
The Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, King James Version
"To every thing there is a season." Read at religious and some non-religious services, as many people know it as a piece of writing rather than a prayer.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
A time for everything The Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, King James Version To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.In my Father's house are many mansions
The Bible, John 14:1-3, King James Version
Jesus tells his followers not to be troubled. Short and very familiar at Christian funerals.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
In my Father's house are many mansions The Bible, John 14:1-3, King James Version Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.Nothing can separate us
The Bible, Romans 8:38-39, King James Version
Two verses saying nothing can separate us from the love of God. One of the shortest readings, good for someone who would find a long one hard.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
Nothing can separate us The Bible, Romans 8:38-39, King James Version For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.No more death
The Bible, Revelation 21:4, King James Version
A single verse about the end of all sorrow. Often printed in the order of service or on a memorial card.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Out of copyright. Free to read aloud and to print.
No more death The Bible, Revelation 21:4, King James Version And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.Death is nothing at all
Henry Scott Holland
From a sermon, written as if the person who has died is speaking and asking everyone to carry on as normal and laugh at the old jokes. One of the most chosen funeral readings. Many slightly different versions are in use, so we haven't printed one here. Ask your celebrant or funeral director for the version they use.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find a version you like.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
Often credited to Mary Elizabeth Frye
A short poem telling mourners that the person lives on in the wind, the snow and the sunlight. Its authorship and copyright are disputed, so check with your funeral director before printing it.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find the words, and check with your funeral home before printing it.
Funeral Blues
W. H. Auden
A poem of raw grief that begins "Stop all the clocks". Widely known since the film Four Weddings and a Funeral. Still in copyright.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find the words, and check with your funeral home before printing it.
She is Gone (He is Gone)
David Harkins
Asks mourners to smile because the person lived, rather than cry because they have gone. Still in copyright.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find the words, and check with your funeral home before printing it.
Do not go gentle into that good night
Dylan Thomas
Written for his father. It is angry and moving, and suits someone who was a fighter. Still in copyright.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find the words, and check with your funeral home before printing it.
Warning
Jenny Joseph
Begins "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple". Funny and warm, and suits a mother or grandmother with a sense of fun. Still in copyright.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find the words, and check with your funeral home before printing it.
If I should go
Joyce Grenfell
Asks people to grieve for a while, then carry on and be happy. Still in copyright.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find the words, and check with your funeral home before printing it.
The Dash
Linda Ellis
About the dash between the dates on a headstone and the life it stands for. Very popular at American funerals. Still in copyright.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find the words, and check with your funeral home before printing it.
Gone From My Sight
Often credited to Henry Van Dyke or Luther Beecher
Compares death to a ship sailing over the horizon, gone from our sight but not gone. Its authorship is disputed, and wording varies between versions.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find a version you like.
Footprints in the Sand
Authorship disputed
A Christian poem about two sets of footprints on a beach, and why there was only one set in the hardest times. Several people have claimed to have written it, so check before printing it.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find a version you like.
Epitaph
Merrit Malloy
Asks that what is left of the person be given away, and that love is what they leave behind. Still in copyright.
We haven't printed this one. Search for the title to find the words, and check with your funeral home before printing it.
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How to choose
The best place to start is the person themselves. Did they have a favorite poem, a hymn they sang, or a book they read again and again? If not, think about what they were like and what the service will feel like. A traditional service suits a psalm or a classic poem. A celebration of life might suit something gentler or lighter, such as "Death is nothing at all".
Talk to the officiant, pastor or celebrant before you decide. They will know what fits the service, and some ministers prefer at least one reading from the Bible. Let whoever is giving the eulogy know which reading you've chosen, so the two don't say the same thing.
Printing poems and copyright
Poems by writers who died long ago, and the King James Bible, are free to read aloud and to print. Each one on this page is marked "out of copyright". Popular modern poems are often still in copyright, which is why we name them but don't print them. Reading a poem aloud at a funeral is usually fine, but printing it in the funeral program may need permission, so ask your funeral home. Several poems, such as "Do not stand at my grave and weep", have disputed authors or several versions, so check the wording you use with them.
Reading it aloud
- Print it in a large font and put it in a folder, so you aren't holding a loose sheet.
- Read it aloud several times beforehand, including the old words you might trip over.
- Go more slowly than feels natural, and pause at the end of each verse.
- Ask someone to sit near the front with a spare copy, in case you'd like them to finish it for you.
For the rest of the service, see our guides to funeral speeches, the funeral program and celebration of life ideas.
Common questions
What is the most popular poem for a funeral?
"Do not stand at my grave and weep", "The Dash" by Linda Ellis and Henry Scott Holland's "Death is nothing at all" are among the most often chosen. At religious services, Psalm 23 is the most familiar reading.
What is a good non-religious poem for a funeral?
"Remember" by Christina Rossetti, "Requiem" by Robert Louis Stevenson and "Crossing the Bar" by Tennyson are all printed in full above and are free to use. Use the Non-religious filter to see more.
Can I print a poem in the funeral program?
You can print any poem marked "out of copyright" on this page. Modern poems may still be in copyright, so ask your funeral home before printing them. They often know which poems they have permission to print.
How long should a funeral reading be?
Most take one to two minutes to read slowly. Each reading on this page shows roughly how long it takes. If time is short, or the person reading is nervous, use the Short filter.
Who should read the poem?
Anyone close to the person who would like to take part but doesn't want to give a eulogy: a grandchild, a friend, a brother or sister. A celebrant or minister can also read it for you.