Funeral poems and readings

Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar, when I put out to sea.

But such a tide as moving seems asleep, too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark;

For though from out our bourne of Time and Place the flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face when I have crost the bar.

Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort, without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.

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 planned:

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.

It was beautiful as long as it lasted, the journey of my life.

I have no regrets whatsoever save the pain I'll leave behind.

Those dear hearts who love and care, and the heavy with sleep eyes,

Smile, smile, smile at me, love, and cheer me from above.

Farewell, farewell my friends, I smile and bid you goodbye.

No, shed no tears for I need them not, all I need is your smile.

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 sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain.

Shown in part — ask us and we will help you include the full reading in your booklet.

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'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

You can remember her and only that she's gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

Shown in part — ask us and we will help you include the full reading in your booklet.

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.

Shown in part — ask us and we will help you include the full reading in your booklet.

Those we love don't go away,

They walk beside us every day,

Unseen, unheard, but always near,

Still loved, still missed and very dear.