Children’s funeral readings can be a poignant and tender way to honor a young life or include a child’s perspective in the service. These readings often reflect innocence, hope, and love, offering comfort to those mourning the loss. Selecting the right reading can help create a meaningful tribute while acknowledging the unique grief that comes with losing someone at a young age. Whether drawn from poetry, stories, or scripture, these readings can bring solace and connection during a difficult time.
” Butterfly Lights Beside Us” (author unknown)
A butterfly lights beside us, like a sunbeam…
and for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world…
but then it flies on again, and although
we wish it could have stayed,
we are so thankful to have seen it at all.
Author Unknown
Interpretation
This poem reflects the beauty and transience of life. Like a butterfly, some lives touch us only briefly, but their grace, vibrancy, and presence remain with us forever. The imagery of a butterfly gently landing beside us reminds us of the small, everyday moments that bring immense joy and connection—a child’s laugh, a kind word, or a shared memory.
Though their time with us may have felt too short, their spirit continues to live on in the spaces they filled with love and light. Much like the butterfly’s flight, their journey is not an end but a transformation—a transition to a place where their essence can still be felt, even if they are no longer physically present.
The closing thought of the poem reminds us not to mourn their absence but to cherish the imprint they’ve left on our hearts. Their influence, like the memory of a butterfly’s delicate touch, becomes a source of comfort, inspiration, and eternal love.
“Little Snowdrop” (author unknown)
Interpretation
“Forever Young” by Bob Dylan
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever youngMay you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever youngMay your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
Interpretation
Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” is a poignant and heartfelt expression of love, hope, and enduring connection. Its lyrics resonate deeply when used in a funeral, especially for a child or young person, as they reflect a wish for eternal happiness and protection.
The song’s blessing-like structure reminds us of the aspirations we hold for those we love: that they live a life full of kindness, dreams fulfilled, and the grace to both give and receive love. In a time of loss, these words serve as both a tribute to the life that was lived and a prayer for their eternal peace and joy.
The sentiment of being “forever young” takes on a profound meaning, capturing the essence of the deceased’s spirit—untouched by time and forever remembered in their youth, vibrancy, and potential. It invites us to cherish their memory and to honor their legacy by carrying forward the love and light they brought into our lives.
This song becomes a reminder that although their physical presence may be gone, their impact, love, and youthful spirit remain with us always, keeping them forever young in our hearts.
Matthew 19:14: “Let the little children come to me.”
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Interpretation
This verse brings profound comfort, especially in times of loss, by highlighting the special relationship between children and God. Jesus’ words emphasize that children are precious in His eyes, embodying purity, innocence, and a natural closeness to the divine. In saying that “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,” Jesus assures us that their spirits are welcomed into an eternal home of love, peace, and joy.
For those grieving the loss of a child, this passage provides reassurance that their loved one is now in the care of God, embraced by His unconditional love. It invites us to find solace in the idea that they are free from pain, surrounded by the beauty and serenity of heaven, where they are celebrated and cherished.
“The Velveteen Rabbit” (excerpt) by Margery Williams
“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”
“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.
“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”
“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”
“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
I suppose you are Real?” said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.
“The Boy’s Uncle made me Real,” he said. “That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
Interpretation
This excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit is a passage that speaks to the power of love to make something—or someone—Real in the most profound way. For a child, their love is pure, all-encompassing, and unwavering, and in that love, they give life a meaning that lasts forever. Though their time with us may have been too short, the love they gave and the love they inspired in us will never fade.
The words of the Skin Horse remind us that true love shapes us, leaving marks on our hearts just as it left marks on him. The wear and tear of being loved so deeply are not flaws but signs of a bond that transcends time.
When we think of this child, we see how their love made us Real—real in our capacity to feel, to connect, and to cherish the moments we shared. Though they are no longer physically here, that love will always remain, because, as the Skin Horse says, “Once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
In this way, their love becomes eternal, and their presence continues to shape and guide us, living on in the hearts of those who understood and loved them deeply.
