Reading for funeral

[helgaw99]

Hi all,

I was wondering if the Mumsnet Hive Mind might be able to help me select the right reading/poem for me to read at my SIL's funeral?

My gorgeous SIL died recently at only 40 after a horrible battle with Cancer. Her family have asked if I would like to read something at the funeral and I would, it's a honour really and something I want to do well.

But, I'm struggling to find the right piece. Most poems for funerals are aimed at older people dying, or celebrating their lives, or not mourning too much. But she was far too young, has left far too many people behind and I feel so angry about her death. Is there anything that captures that? That somehow conveys the total unfairness of her death while also dignified and honouring her?

Is it too much to ask?
Thanks all

I’m so sorry for your loss.i didnt want to read and leave no comment. I’ve only ever been to older people’s funerals so have no recommendations. I think it is so personal to the person who has died and the person who is doing the reading that it is tricky to recommend something. I personally would do a bible reading but that is what would comfort me. Perhaps a song lyric might suit?
Thank you for doing this for your Sil and family, it will mean so much to them.

"Walk Within You", from the film Evelyn. Sorry I can't post link. Google it. Sorry for your loss

Realised I had screenshots

1. A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes: (3:1-7,11)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to root up what is planted; 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 embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to seek, and a time to lose; A time to keep and a time to discard; A time to tear, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; God has made everything suitable for its time. This is the word of the Lord

Actually in reading your op maybe that one is not suitable but I have always liked it

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/bereavement/2824265-Can-anyone-suggest-poems-verses-readings-suitable-for-a-teenager-s-funeral

Here’s an older thread that may have something suitable OP. Sorry for your loss OP 💐

Nothing constructive to add. Just wanted to say how sorry I am for the loss of your SIL .

Though, if she had a certain genre of music she liked, then that could maybe assist?

Thinking of you all.

Stop the clocks by wh auden

(You could change he to she in the poem)

This one is hopeful (as in promising a reunion/afterlife)

www.funeralguide.co.uk/help-resources/arranging-a-funeral/planning-the-service/funeral-poems/i-am-standing-upon-the-seashore

I know the above as The Ship in my mind.
It is very moving in a funeral setting.

I think this one captures the sense of trying to comprehend why the universe would do such a thing tfl.gov.uk/forms/12393.aspx?ID=136 I am very sorry for your loss

Thanks everyone, some great suggestions.

Just bumping for the evening crowd

X

There is this one:
Near Shady Wall A Rose Once Grew Sorry for your loss.

How about:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die

There is a poem on line called “The Dash “ .
I heard it read at a colleague’s funeral . She was very young too .
I know she had no religious affiliation and the reading really suited her .

I was going to suggest the Dash too - I’ve sadly been to quite a number of young people’s funerals and two of them used this. It’s about the dash between our dates of birth and death.

@SilverySurfer. Beat me to it! Lovely

She Is Gone (He Is Gone)
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.
David Harkins

This I am particularly fond read at a dear friend's funeral - she died at 39 of bowel cancer. A beautiful bubbly girl who danced in the rain.