Funeral Poem – Desiderata – by Max Ehrmann

by Funeral Celebrant | Jul 8, 2021 | Funeral Celebrant - Funeral Poet, Funeral Poems

Funeral Poem – Desiderata – by Max Ehrmann

Read by Marc Lemezma Funeral Celebrant

This is a wonderful poem, it has much to teach us about life. Although it was not specifically written for funerals, it is often read on such occasions as it is meaningful and sobering.

Today I had the privilege to read it at the funeral for the father of a friend – so this is dedicated to Mike.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy

If you have a poem you’d like to hear me read, get in touch and I will do my best to help.

Can I share or use this poetry?

Many of these poems are original to me; please feel free to share those or use them if they seem right for your service. All I ask is that you give credit to the author.

If you have a poem you’d like to hear me read, get in touch and I will do my best to help.

The poems I share on my website or social media are original or are regularly used at funerals and are presented to aid those researching poetry for use at their loved one's funeral service.. Wherever known, I do give credit and thanks to the author. If you know the author of any I have marked as ‘unknown’, then let me know, and I will amend the page.

If you chose to share or use the poetry at a funeral or memorial service, please give the author credit.

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See the list of other Poems for Funerals

Funeral Poem – Changing Faces by Marc Lemezma

by Funeral Celebrant | Jun 17, 2021 | Funeral Celebrant - Funeral Poet, Funeral Poems

Funeral Poem – Changing Faces by Marc Lemezma

Read by Marc Lemezma Funeral Celebrant

Funeral Poem – Changing Faces by Marc Lemezma

All manner of sudden and shocking changes can leave us mere mortals flummoxed and feeling trapped. Putting on a brave face, we try and get on with life, failing to recognise and accept the new reality before us.

This original poem is a piece of advice from the person who has died, aimed at those left behind. Allow yourselves the chance to cry, and this will help you move on.

I saw your face change and was

Concerned as to what made you sad

Then, realisation of my situation

I’d run out of the time that I had

But you, you’re frozen in time

Though strong, you barely can move

Allow a tear to well in your eyes

There really is nothing to prove

Tears do not belong to the weak

Because they carry the banner for the strong

Every single drop that you shed

Will free you and move you along

So when you, in time, accept I am gone

And release me into your heart

I’ll look at your face; it might just change again

Ready to make a new start

If you have a poem you’d like to hear me read, get in touch and I will do my best to help.

Can I share or use this poetry?

The poems I share on my website or social media are original or are regularly used at funerals and are presented to aid those researching poetry for use at their loved one's funeral service.. Wherever known, I do give credit and thanks to the author. If you know the author of any I have marked as ‘unknown’, then let me know, and I will amend the page.

If you chose to share or use the poetry at a funeral or memorial service, please give the author credit.

Visit Marc’s Facebook Page

See the list of other Poems for Funerals

Funeral Memorial Poem – I Am Free by Shannon Lee Moseley

by Funeral Celebrant | Jun 8, 2021 | Funeral Celebrant - Funeral Poet, Funeral Poems

Funeral Memorial Poem – I Am Free by Shannon Lee Moseley

Read by Marc Lemezma Funeral Celebrant

Funeral Memorial Poem – I Am Free by Shannon Lee Moseley When we struggle to let someone go after they pass away, it is worth remembering their life; what they achieved, what they enjoyed and what they brought to life. This wonderful poem gives us such a reminder, hopefully making it easier to let them move on to the next place.

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, to laugh,

To love, to work or play.

Tasks undone must stay that way

I’ve found that peace at the close of the day.

If parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savoured much

Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me,

God wants me now,

He set me free.

Have a favourite poem you’d like to see read here? Just get in touch and I will do my best to help.

Can I share or use this poetry? The poems I share on my website or social media are original or are regularly used at funerals and are presented to aid those researching poetry for use at their loved one's funeral service.. Wherever known, I do give credit and thanks to the author. If you know the author of any I have marked as ‘unknown’, then let me know, and I will amend the page. If you chose to share or use the poetry at a funeral or memorial service, please give the author credit. Many of these poems are original to me; please feel free to share those or use them if they seem right for your service. All I ask is that you give credit to the author.

Visit Marc’s Facebook Page

See the list of other Poems for Funerals

Funeral Memorial Poem – Instructions – By Arnold Crompton

by Funeral Celebrant | Jun 8, 2021 | Funeral Celebrant - Funeral Poet, Funeral Poems

Funeral Memorial Poem – Instructions – By Arnold Crompton

Read by Marc Lemezma Funeral Celebrant

Funeral Memorial Poem – Instructions – By Arnold Crompton

This is a moving piece of poetry, it follows an unusual form without much rhyming.

However, it still paints a picture of the world the departed friend wishes to remain in his place. A world where we all recognise what matters, and what does not.

A lesson learned and shared beyond the grave.

When I have moved beyond you in the adventure of life,

Gather in some pleasant place and there remember me

With spoken words, old and new.

Let a tear if you will, but let a smile come quickly

For I have loved the laughter of life.

Do not linger too long with your solemnities.

Go eat and talk, and when you can;

Follow a woodland trail, climb a high mountain,

Walk along the wild seashore,

Chew the thoughts of some book

Which challenges your soul.

Use your hands some bright day

To make a thing of beauty

Or to lift someone’s heavy load.

Though you mention not my name,

Though no thought of me crosses your mind,

I shall be with you,

For these have been the realities of my life for me.

And when you face some crisis with anguish.

When you walk alone with courage,

When you choose your path of right,

I shall be very close to you.

I have followed the valleys,

I have climbed the heights of life

If you have a poem you’d like to hear me read, get in touch and I will do my best to help.

Can I share or use this poetry?

The poems I share on my website or social media are original or are regularly used at funerals and are presented to aid those researching poetry for use at their loved one's funeral service.. Wherever known, I do give credit and thanks to the author. If you know the author of any I have marked as ‘unknown’, then let me know, and I will amend the page.

If you chose to share or use the poetry at a funeral or memorial service, please give the author credit.

Many of these poems are original to me; please feel free to share those or use them if they seem right for your service. All I ask is that you give credit to the author.

Visit Marc’s Facebook Page

See the list of other Poems for Funerals

Funeral Memorial Poem – Epitaph on my own Friend Robert Burns

by Funeral Celebrant | May 19, 2021 | Funeral Celebrant - Funeral Poet, Funeral Poems

Funeral Memorial Poem – Epitaph on my own Friend By Robert Burns

Read by Marc Lemezma Funeral Celebrant

Sometimes poetry benefits from brevity.

This is such a piece, it is wonderfully written and magically succinct. Easy enough for anyone, even a grieving relative, to attempt with minimal trepidation.

An honest man here lies at rest,

As e’er God with His image blest:

The friend of man, the friend of truth;

The friend of age, and guide of youth:

Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,

Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:

If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;

If there is none, he made the best of this.

Can I share or use this poetry? The poems I share on my website or social media are original or are regularly used at funerals and are presented to aid those researching poetry for use at their loved one's funeral service.. Wherever known, I do give credit and thanks to the author. If you know the author of any I have marked as ‘unknown’, then let me know, and I will amend the page. If you chose to share or use the poetry at a funeral or memorial service, please give the author credit. Many of these poems are original to me; please feel free to share those or use them if they seem right for your service. All I ask is that you give credit to the author.

Visit Marc’s Facebook Page

See the list of other Poems for Funerals