Please help with the funeral words

[emmasdogstan]

I'm arranging my mums funeral.
It will be a very small gathering as family and friends were very small .

I've written a eulogy about her life. It's short and sweet and celebrates her life, interests and compliments her as a mother. It includes some happy memories I had with her when I was a child.

I need to add a poem or something a bit more to bulk it out.
Unfortunately for many years in her later life she was very unwell mentally and wasn't an easy person to spend time with . This meant unfortunately there was no friendship circle and grandchildren were uneasy around her and therefore didn't have much of a relationship so don't really have many happy memories that can add. There is no other family left to add their memories.

I googled and there are some examples but they are a bit over the top expressing lots of affection.

I really need something kind and respectful ( but not too soppy ) due to the fact family weren't quite so close to her .

Do you know suitable poems please?

Sorry for your loss.
I think the one that starts, "do not stand at my grave and weep," is nice without being too gushing. Have a look at some native indian poetry too see if anything appeals- usually very nature/earth based rather than focussing on personal relationships with eachother.
Was she a religious person? Maybe a nice prayer giving thanks for her life.
Or even just a piece of music and let everyone know it will be a minute or two for them to sut in peace, reflect, say a prayer or give thanks or just remember your mum.
Hope it goes as well as it can.

https://www.herbertmurrayfunerals.co.uk/dowo/wp-content/uploads/The-Dash-M.pdf

The Dash by Linda Ellis …. Would this feel appropriate? You could elaborate after reading with any detail you wanted to share.

sorry for your loss.

There is a poem called love came first about grief. It may not be suitable for your situation but you could look at it and see.

We played one of my mums favourite songs as a moment for reflection, it was lovely actually and a song I remember being played a lot in my childhood on our Spanish holidays.

It was a pop banger so not soppy at all and from a time in her younger life.

Donna Ashworth has lots of poems that might be useful. But I like the idea of music that a pp suggested, if your mum liked music.

I hope you get through it as well as you can. X

I'm sorry for your loss, @emmasdogstan .
A long shot, but do you know any of Robert Frost's poetry? His The Road Not Taken is very reflective and beautiful. It's not about death, more about the choices and paths we take in life. I think everyone who hears it probably feels it describes their own life, but it's particularly soothing for those who aren't part of a large friendship group. I've never heard it at a funeral but I think it would be fitting, and it is lovely.

Gosh Thankyou . I really appreciate everyone's suggestions . I've made a note of them all and will look into
Each of them .
Thankyou so much

www.barrettfunerals.com.au/readings-prayers-poems/an-irish-blessing/

This is nice. Not too soppy , not sure if you're religious?

Notatinydancer- that's really lovely . I think it may work nicely. Thankyou

It really is lovely, @notatinydancer. Might have to squirrel that away for future use.

You're welcome

There is one that begins is Nothing At All by Henry Scott Holland (https://worshipwords.co.uk/words-of-comfort-shared-by-m-cole/), which isn't too sentimental - and if you want one that isn't sentimental at all, look at Hollie McNish's poem on mourning. (https://holliepoetry.com/2019/01/31/new-poem-on-mourning/). It might be a bit risque for some tho'

Thankyou for these too. I'll read them after work