Reading for a funeral for elderly good friend - non religious

[ruby1234]

I have been asked to do a short reading at the funeral of a very lovely elderly lady who has been a great friend to me for many years.

The funeral is non-religious. The lady is a similar age to my parents; she hasn't been a 'mother' figure to me but a very nice friend throughout my adult life.

Does anyone have any thoughts on a short poem / reading I could do?
Something celebrating her loveliness and our long friendship?

Thank you very much for ideas.

How about 'Do not stand by my grave and weep' by Mary Elizabeth Frye or 'She is gone' by David Harkins.

Written by a Bishop, but not overtly religious in its content is the poem What is Dying? By Bishop Charles Henry Brent. It's about loved ones really.

I am sorry for your loss

Maybe Late Fragment?

Very short, but I love it

The dash?

You'd need to Google it but it talks about people being listed as say 1950 - 2022 the dash is the important bit and how they lived in the dash.

Would your own poem piece of verse be an option?

How about this one?

Afterglow – Unknown
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

My son read this at FILs funeral. It's Finnish

Now I am free and with the wind I get to walk the borders of time.
I am the glitter of the stars, the flight of the clouds, the tender drop of the morning dew.
I am not gone, I come back to you in every rising morning.
And in every darkening evening I wish you goodnight.

I heard ‘the echoing green’ by William Blake at the humanist funeral of a work colleague. It was several years ago but I still recall it, and found it touching.

sorry for your loss, I’m sure you will pick the right reading for your friend.

“For no more the heat of the sun: from Act V of Cymbeline

Thanks everyone - lots of lovely ideas so far!

"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.

“Pooh?” he whispered. “Yes, Piglet?”

“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand.
“I just wanted to be sure of you.”

“We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet.

“Even longer,” Pooh answered. “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”

I like this but don't know the author

Don’t Cry for me
Don't cry for me now I have died, for I'm still here I'm by your side, My body's gone but my soul's is here, please don't shed another tear, I am still here I'm all around, only my body lies in the ground.
I am the snowflake that kisses your nose,
I am the frost, that nips your toes.
I am the sun ,bringing you light,
I am the star, shining so bright.
I am the rain, refreshing the earth,
I am the laughter, I am the mirth.
I am the bird, up in the sky,
I am the cloud, that's drifting by.
I am the thoughts, inside your head, While I'm still there, I can't be dead.

A lot like one by Clare Harner (according to Google- I had to look it up).

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep....

Although this one says a different poet. Can't trust Google for quotes, clearly

www.funeralguide.co.uk/help-resources/arranging-a-funeral/planning-the-service/funeral-poems/do-not-stand-at-my-grave-and-weep

countrygirl99, that was just beautiful 🌷❤️

I really like ‘Gone from my sight’.