To ask for your favourite funeral readings?

[MrsBennetsPoorNerves]

Just that, please.

Thanks very much. ❤️

I was going to go with the Tennyson too but @Abitofalark beat me to it. I have liked it since I studied it at O Level.

Remember me by Christina Rosetti

Thank you so much for all of these wonderful suggestions. They are so helpful, and each beautiful in its own way.

Please do keep the suggestions coming as I somehow have to find something that the whole family can agree on - and we all have slightly different tastes, so having plenty of options is helpful.

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone'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 for ever: 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. W H Auden

Eek, sorry about the state of that paste - its Stop all the clocks by WH Auden

I wish I’d seen this 5 yrs ago - a neighbour of my parents told me that she’d be sure to keep dad’s ripples going by telling story’s about him and his achievements to all her friends and that comment comforted me then and makes more sense still now

I love this poem, though possibly not for a funeral

Death, be not proud - John Donne

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou are 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.

My mother found this one very comforting when my dad died and chose it for his funeral, and we likewise chose it for hers because it meant so much. It's very much for people struggling with loss who need to still feel a connection and it helped her. Ultimately, it's finding the right reading or poem for the bereaved and the character of the deceased. None are dreadful, it's just horses for courses.

My 3 yr old DN passed away at the weekend. I'm crying at the beautiful readings.

Remember me by Christina Rosetti

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 plann'd:
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.

For you, @Grievingaunt , by. Ben Jonson, with condolences

It is not growing like a tree
in bulk, doth make Man better be;
or standing long an oak three hundred year,
to fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere;

A lily of a day
is fairer in May,
although it fall and die that night-
It was the plant and flower of Light.
In small proportions we just beauties see:
and in short measures life may perfect be.

Depending on the circumstances of the loss, there are some more uplifting suggestions on the Humanist's website (I have a few friends who are celebrants):

https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/funerals/blog/uplifting-and-humorous-poems-for-a-humanist-funeral/

I really like The Dash by Linda Ellis.

SHe is Gone, by David Hawkins

You can shed tears that she has 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 can remember her and one that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your minf, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want:
Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. May your darling little niece rest in peace.

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.
I gave you my love, and you can only guess How much you've given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown, But now it is time I traveled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must, Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
That it is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away for life goes on.
And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear All my love around you soft and clear
And then, when you come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home"

I Am Always With You

Used at family funeral

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.