Here are uplifting and inspirational readings to bring hope and comfort during a funeral. These selections celebrate life, resilience, and the enduring connections we share, offering solace and a reminder of brighter moments even in times of loss.
“If I Should Go” by Joyce Grenfell
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.
Interpretation
This poem reflects a deeply human response to loss, blending realism and optimism. Grenfell acknowledges the inevitability of grief, allowing space for tears, but she redirects focus to the continuity of life. Her request to “be the usual selves” serves as a reminder to honor the memory of the deceased by living authentically and joyfully. The inclusion of “sing as well” emphasizes the importance of finding happiness, even in sorrow, as a tribute to the life shared. This reading is a gentle nudge toward celebrating life with the same vibrancy the loved one valued.
“Gone from My Sight” by Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength.I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud
Just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.Then, someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast, hull, and spar as she was when she left my side.
And she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone says, “There, she is gone!”
There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”And that is dying.
Interpretation
Van Dyke uses the metaphor of a ship to depict death as a passage, not an end. The ship, beautiful and capable, does not lose its essence when it disappears from sight; it simply journeys beyond the horizon to be greeted elsewhere. This image comforts mourners by suggesting that their loved one continues to exist in a different place, unseen but intact. The phrase “Gone from my sight. That is all.” minimizes the finality of death, portraying it as a separation of perspectives rather than an absolute loss. The final lines evoke hope by imagining the joyful welcome awaiting the departed at their new destination, providing solace to those left behind.
“A Parable of Immortality” by Henry Scott-Holland
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
And the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of 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 that 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 ghost of a shadow upon it.Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?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 round the corner.All is well.
Interpretation
Scott-Holland’s words emphasize the enduring presence of love and memory after death. The metaphor of slipping “into the next room” diminishes the separation caused by death, portraying it as a temporary absence rather than a permanent departure. The encouragement to speak and think of the deceased without sorrow suggests that their essence remains intertwined with everyday life. This reading offers profound reassurance by normalizing the experience of death and urging mourners to focus on the unbroken bond they share with their loved one. The phrase “All is well” serves as a mantra of peace and hope.
“Don’t Quit” by Edgar A. Guest
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure comes about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
You may succeed with another blow.Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
Interpretation
Guest’s poem serves as a powerful reminder of perseverance, especially in the face of adversity. At a funeral, this reading can inspire mourners to find strength in their grief and push forward, even when the path feels overwhelmingly difficult. The imagery of struggle and triumph speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, reassuring listeners that better days are often closer than they seem. Its hopeful tone provides encouragement, reminding everyone present that healing and success often come through persistence.
“Success” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
Interpretation
Emerson’s definition of success offers a profound reflection on what truly matters in life. Rather than focusing on material wealth or fame, this reading highlights the importance of kindness, resilience, and leaving a positive impact on others. At a funeral, it can inspire attendees to honor the deceased by reflecting on how they embodied these values. The line “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived” is especially poignant, as it encapsulates the essence of a life well-lived and serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of love and compassion.
