Choosing readings for a funeral can feel like a significant responsibility during an already emotional time. Funeral poems offer a powerful and often beautiful way to express complex feelings, pay tribute to a unique life, and offer comfort when personal words might be hard to find.
This guide explores the role and selection of funeral poems, particularly within the context of a humanist funeral, memorial ceremony, or celebration of life. Humanist funerals are non-religious services carefully crafted to celebrate an individual’s life, values, and legacy. Whether you seek poems that offer solace, encourage reflection, celebrate love, or even introduce a touch of gentle humour, the right funeral poem can add profound meaning and personalisation to the farewell.
Celebrate the Person
A humanist funeral is a non-religious ceremony designed as a personal and dignified tribute to the person who has died. Led by a trained Humanist Ceremonies celebrant, it focuses on the individual’s life story, their personality, their relationships, and the impact they had on the world., These ceremonies offer flexibility in content and tone, without religious references, making them ideal for incorporating carefully chosen funeral poems that truly reflect the person being honoured.
The Power of Poems and Readings at Funerals
Poetry has a unique ability to capture deep emotions and complex ideas concisely. At a funeral, poems can:
- Express Grief: articulate feelings of loss and sadness that attendees might struggle to voice themselves.
- Celebrate Life: highlight the joys, passions, and characteristics of the person who died.
- Offer Comfort: provide words of solace, hope, or perspective.
- Create Connection: foster a sense of shared experience and remembrance among friends and family.
- Personalise the Ceremony: reflect the individual’s tastes, interests, beliefs, or favourite verses.
Selecting Funeral Poems for a Humanist Ceremony
In a humanist context, the key is selecting secular (non-religious) poems and readings that resonate with the person’s life and values. Consider these aspects:
- The Person: what were their interests? Did they have favourite poets or authors? What was their outlook on life? Choose poems that feel authentic to them.
- The Tone: what feeling do you want to evoke? Comforting, reflective, celebratory, poignant, uplifting, or even gently humorous? Select poems that match the desired mood for different parts of the ceremony.
- The Message: what do you want the poem to convey? Love, loss, memory, nature, courage, the impact of a life?
- Variety: a ceremony might include poems with different tones – perhaps one reflecting sadness and another celebrating life.
Humanist Ceremonies celebrants have extensive resources and experience in helping families find suitable funeral poems. They can suggest pieces that align with humanist values and the specific life being celebrated.
Find poems: Visit our blog for inspiration. We have posts which include poems to choose from dedicated to various themes:
- “Poems of love for a humanist funeral”: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/funerals/blog/poems-of-love-for-a-humanist-funeral/
- “Uplifting and humorous poems for a humanist funeral”: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/funerals/blog/uplifting-and-humorous-poems-for-a-humanist-funeral/
Integrating Poems into the Ceremony
Funeral poems can be placed at various points: at the beginning to set a tone, before or after the tributes, during a moment of reflection, or at the end of the ceremony. They can be read by the celebrant, a family member, or a friend.
Beyond Poems: The Eulogy and Music
While poems offer shared expression, the eulogy provides the core narrative of the person’s life. Music choices also contribute significantly to the atmosphere, reflecting personal tastes. Together, these elements create a rich, multi-layered, and personal tribute.
Finding a Humanist Ceremonies Celebrant
A Humanist Ceremonies celebrant will guide you through the entire process of planning the ceremony, including selecting appropriate funeral poems. They’ll listen carefully to your memories and wishes to help craft a truly fitting farewell.
- Find a Celebrant: Connect with a local Humanist Ceremonies celebrant to discuss your needs and begin planning a personal tribute: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/find-a-celebrant/
- Learn More: Understand the principles and practices of Humanist funerals: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/funerals/home/
Why choose a Humanist Ceremonies celebrant?
You can trust a Humanist Ceremonies celebrant. We’ve been delivering humanist, non-religious funerals for more than 125 years, and are committed to delivering the very best service to the families we work with:
- Gold star training and ongoing CPD
- Code of conduct
- Annually accredited by respected national charity Humanists UK
- DBS checked, and full insured (public liability and professional indemnity)
- Transparent complaints process, in the rare cases it’s needed
- Work as part of local, regional and national networks for support, sharing best practice, and emergency back-up
- Pay a monthly fee to Humanists UK to further its work towards equality and tolerance
Find out more at https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/non-religious-funerals/
Additional Resources
- Funeral FAQs: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/funerals/faqs/
- Funeral Guides: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/funerals/guides/
Writing a Eulogy Guide: https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/funerals/blog/what-is-a-eulogy-and-how-do-i-write-one/
