Celebrant advice: Five more Funeral and Celebrations of Life poems

Some stories ask to be honoured. Yours might be one of them.

Planning a Celebration of Life Ceremony? 🌿

Are you planning a celebration of life ceremony? These additional five beautiful poems will add depth, emotion, and meaning to your service. They create a heartfelt tribute to your loved one. Each poem in this collection celebrates life in all its richness. They honour diverse perspectives, beliefs, and experiences. From classic literature to contemporary authors, these words will touch hearts and bring comfort, along with the occasional smile.

Many of these poems have been personally chosen by families I’ve had the privilege of working with as their celebrant. They are special selections for deeply personal, sad yet meaningful occasions. So, take a quiet moment, settle in with your favourite cuppa, and explore five more of the most touching poems for funerals and celebrations of life. 💙

Cream blush rose by Andre Johnson on Unsplash.com

1. She Is Gone (He Is Gone) by David Harkins

Grief can bring a mixture of emotions. It creates a swirl of feelings we didn’t expect, shifting and overlapping. At a celebration of life, we might feel unsure of which way to turn. We are carried along by memories, reflections, and moments of connection. This poem acknowledges that emotional tide and offers a soft, reassuring response to loss.

She Is Gone doesn’t judge our reactions or tell us how to feel. It simply reminds us that seeking comfort is human. It suggests that even heavy feelings can be reshaped into something lighter. This helps us carry on. It’s a thoughtful, caring poem that gently holds us in moments of need.

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…

The full reading is here: She Is Gone (He Is Gone) - Funeral Poem by David Harkins | Funeral Guide

2. Remember Me by Margaret Mead

This poem brings us back to something real and important: how we each perceive and remember the person who has died. A celebration of life creates a protected space. It’s a time to reflect, share stories, cry, and have those “aha” moments about who they were to us.

Remember Me captures that beautifully. It acknowledges that every mourner had a unique relationship with the person who’s passed. It’s okay to grieve in different ways. The poem doesn’t try to simplify grief. Instead, it honours its complexity while offering comfort.

It’s succinct, clever, and well-suited to a celebration of life. It reminds us that remembrance isn’t about uniformity. It’s about connection, memory, and the quiet ways someone stays with us.

To the living, I am gone,

To the sorrowful, I will never return,

To the angry, I was cheated,

But to the happy, I am at peace,

And to the faithful, I have never left.

The full reading is here: A selection of poems and verses for a funeral - Dignity Funerals

3. Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep by Mary Frye

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep is a poem that has truly stood the test of time. Although written in 1932, its message remains powerful today. It speaks directly to the heartache of losing someone we love. It gently offers reassurance to those left behind.

Rather than urging us to hold on to sadness, the poem reminds us that our loved ones aren't entirely gone. They're all around us—in the quiet of the morning, the movement of the wind, the birdsong, and the natural world. This idea is comforting: that the essence of a person continues through the things we notice and feel each day.

For many, this poem feels like a warm hug or an embrace. It doesn’t deny the grief but offers a shift in perspective. It encourages us to notice how someone lives on in our memories and our surroundings. In a way, it suggests they’re still with us. That message, delivered simply, can bring deep peace.

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’s 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.

Find the poem here: Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep - Poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye

4. If I Should Go by Joyce Grenfell

I read If I Should Go by Joyce Grenfell during a recent celebration of life. This was at the request of the daughter of the man being remembered. He was someone with wide-ranging interests and strong personal standards—clearly someone who lived with intention.

The ceremony itself had an uplifting tone, just as his daughter wanted. The poem added to that feeling. However, it came with its own challenge. It’s written with a gentle touch and a hint of humour. This meant I had to balance that with the sense of reverence the moment deserved. Delivering it respectfully but not overly seriously took care and attention. The poem’s brevity helped—it’s short and to the point. Once I settled into the right rhythm, it came together and was received well.

If I should go before the rest of you

Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone

Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice

But be the usual selves that I have known

Weep if you must

Parting is Hell

But life goes on

So sing as well.

Find the poem here: Uplifting Funeral Poems | 100+ Funeral Poems

5. Last Will And Testament by Will Scratchmann

Sometimes we feel like we have to be sad for a long time after someone dies. There’s no room to acknowledge the mix of emotions we may carry about them. That can create tension, both within ourselves and with others. Love and life are complicated. Even though society gives us certain roles to play around grief, our actual feelings don’t always follow those rules.

That’s why Last Will and Testament by Will Scratchmann deserves a mention. It’s irreverent, yes—but it gives people permission to feel a bit more human in the moment. Sometimes a smile, even a chuckle, during a celebration of life isn’t disrespectful. It’s a reflection of the person and the honest connection we had with them.

And as I sit upon my cloud,

And look down at the earth,

I’ll watch you use my worldly goods,

For festival and mirth,

And that will make me smile a smile,

And have a laugh quite hearty,

To hear you say, the bugger’s dead,

Let’s have ourselves a party.

The full reading here: Last Will and Testament ~ A Funny Poem about Death

Conclusion: Poems for Funerals and Celebrations of Life

Whether you’re looking for an alternative to traditional readings or a meaningful addition to prayers you've already chosen, these poems can help shape a service that truly reflects your loved one’s life, values, and wishes. They can also bring a smile to the occasion.

A celebrant-led ceremony offers the flexibility to create something unique and deeply personal. Whether read by you, your family, friends, or me as your celebrant, these poems can set the tone, evoke emotion, and create an atmosphere of love and remembrance. This additional dimension enhances the overall experience for everyone. It reinforces and enhances the message and tone of the ceremony for those attending, giving them added depth and space in which to mourn.

Thank you for reading my blog. If I can be of any help with your celebration of life ceremony, please get in touch at ritesofw@gmail.com or 07305002858. You can also complete the contact form on the bottom of the welcome page. Information on my funeral and celebration of life services can be found here.

Other blogs you may be interested in:

• Celebrants: The Storytellers of Love and Life

• Do you need a Poem for a Funeral or Celebration of Life?