Funeral readings or poems

[AnonyMum21]

My grandmother aged 97 just died…
She wasn’t religious or particularly sentimental, she was very pragmatic and stoic - a real tough war-generation lady.

I’m not sure that she believed in life after death, or meeting her husband in the afterlife

Can anyone suggest any suitable, and non- slushy poems or reflective reading please?
Thank you

[quote hivemindneeded]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.

Source: www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/do-not-stand-by-my-grave-and-weep-by-mary-elizabeth-frye[/quote]
This is such a lovely poem. When friends are dealing with loss, I often pop it in a card or letter to them, and a few have said since how comforting it was.
Very sorry for your loss OP.

I had to find some shorter ones for children to read

Those we love (Author Unknown) 15 seconds

Those we love don't go away;
they walk beside us every day,
unseen, unheard, but always near;
still loved, still missed, still very dear.

This one is similar

Wish You Were Here

May the winds of heaven blow softly
And whisper in your ear
How much we love and miss you
And wish that you were here
– Unknown

This one is more well known I think

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
– Unknown; a traditional Irish funeral poem

And for a younger child who used to watch robins in the garden with their grandparents:

Little Robin

I am that little robin
That sits upon a tree
I sing to you each morning
But you don't know it’s me
I am that little robin
In your garden every day
I will never leave you
I will never fly away

by John F Conner

We had the Henry Scott-Holland at our Dad's funeral last summer but we ended it at All is well rather than the whole last four lines.

We felt that would be what he'd be telling us if he could.