It also urges us to never let go of hope – hope that we will soon find joy and smiles where now we have anguish and tears. Alan Seeger was an American poet who fought in World War I, where he died after being injured in No Man's Land. His poetry featured death prominently, and his poem "I Have a Rendezvous with Death" was one of John F. Kennedy's favorites. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. The ‘bar’ refers to a sandbar or submerged ridge between the ocean and a tidal river or estuary and the author hopes for a tide so large that there will be no waves on this ridge.

In “I Am Standing Upon the Seashore,” Henry Van Dyke uses the metaphor of a ship moving beyond the horizon as a metaphor for death. He explains that the ship disappearing behind the horizon doesn’t mean that the ship is gone; it’s only gone from the perspective of the person on the shore watching it. To someone on the other side, the ship is appearing for the first time. A short religious funeral poem, ideal for a eulogy or memorial poem. A poem about loved ones finding peace with God in Heaven. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,

9. If I Should Go Tomorrow – Author Unknown

Your spirit soars beyond the moon, Your legacy will survive. You’re beautiful, you’re endless, Now stretch your wings and fly, Instead, it encourages us to cherish the fond memories we have of our loved one so as to keep them alive within us.

When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine. And don't call this my deathbed. Let it be called the bed of life, and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives. A short but uplifting funeral poem by famous Victorian poet Christina Rossetti, about saying goodbye to a loved one. Walt Whitman wrote “O Captain! My Captain!” following Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865. The poem uses a metaphor to describe Lincoln leading the U.S. through the Civil War, only to die just as the country begins to celebrate. Unfortunately, many people can relate to the feeling of mourning that comes after losing someone just as things are starting to get better. Many people find that funeral poetry helps them express emotions that they have difficulty expressing on their own. When choosing poems for funerals, memorial services or celebrations of life, you don’t need to limit yourself to poems explicitly written about death or for funerals; any poem that speaks to you and feels appropriate is fine.A year after writing “When I Am Dead My Dearest,” Christina Rossetti penned “Remember.” While the title and first line of may seem contradictory to the message of “When I Am Dead My Dearest, the final message aligns the two. The last two lines of the poem, “Better by far you should forget and smile / Than that you should remember and be sad,” are commonly quoted. Hush now little angel, No more tears you have to weep. Little prayers are sent to you, The short life you led; At first glance, this poem might appear to have little to do with death, but the metaphors it uses speak clearly of the transition from life to death. If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.

This is a good poem. It reminded me of the universality of human feelings. Feelings are the same whether one lives in India, like me, or at distant places like the poet. But there is another aspect to be meditated over. All men and women are mortal. Each of has to go one time or the other. Why to grieve? The soul or consciousness, by discarding the old and frail body, has got a new body. It is fresh and may live and grow for long time.

6. I Felt An Angel – Author Unknown

Born in England in 1882, Winifred Letts started her writing career as a playwright and then novelist. She published her first poetry collection in 1913 at the age of 31. She also trained as a masseuse and and worked in army camps in Manchester during World War I, inspiring some of her poetry. The following verses are among the most popular for a funeral. Similar to funeral songs and hymns, there are a number of poems and verses which are frequently chosen for funeral services. God took another angel, And that angel, dear, was you. Angel wings, upon the clouds, Your body softly sleeps, While “Walking with Grief” is a Celtic prayer, its message resonates with a much broader audience, making it a popular funeral reading. It speaks to the community of grieving people, reminding them that grief isn’t something that should be rushed through or pushed aside. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.