RESOURCES

We've carefully chosen a selection of songs, poems, hymns and excerpts to help planning your loved one's memorial that little bit easier.

Poems

When speaking at a memorial or putting together an Order of Service, finding the right words can be tricky. Poems and verses are often a great way to express your feelings or thoughts and can help to bring comfort at this difficult time.

The Watcher

She always leaned to watch for us
Anxious if we were late,
In winter by the window,
In summer by the gate.

And though we mocked her tenderly
Who had such foolish care,
The long way home would seem more safe,
Because she waited there.

Her thoughts were all so full of us,
She never could forget,
And so I think that where she is
She must be watching yet.

Waiting ‘til we come home to her
Anxious if we are late
Watching from Heaven’s window
Leaning from Heaven’s gate.

- By Margaret Widdemer

Special Hero

When I was a baby,
you would hold me in your arms.
I felt the love and tenderness,
keeping me safe from harm.

I would look up into your eyes,
and all the love I would see.
How did I get so lucky,
you were the dad chosen for me.

There is something special
about a father’s love.
Seems it was sent to me
from someplace up above.

Our love is everlasting,
I just wanted you to know.
That you’re my special hero
and I wanted to tell you so.

- By Christina M. Kerschen

My Dad

If I could write a story,
It would be the greatest ever told.
I’d write about my daddy,
For he had a heart of gold.

My dad, he was no hero
Known around this world.
He was everything to me,
For I was his baby girl.

I’d write about the lessons.
He taught me right from wrong.
He instilled in me the values
That one day I’d be strong.

He taught me to face my fears,
Take each day as it comes,
For there are things that we can’t change.
He would say what’s done is done.

He would say hold your head up high,
Carry yourself with pride.
Thanks to him, I am somebody,
I will never run and hide.

If I could write a story,
It would be the greatest ever told.
I’d write about my daddy,
For he had a heart of gold.

- By Vicky Frye

He is Gone

You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him,
Or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone,
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

- By David Harkins

My Dad Answered The Call

When duty called, my dad answered
Without hesitation or fear.
He didn’t ask what it would cost him,
He just saw a need that was clear.

A need to defend his country,
No matter what anyone else thought.
So he headed off to a far away land
And there he stood and he fought.

He fought to preserve our freedom,
Our right to govern ourselves here,
Unencumbered by some foreign nation,
Trying to erase the beliefs we hold dear.

So my dad is a hero in my eyes,
And I hope he’s one in your eyes, too.
He gave up his life and all that he loved,
To ensure that freedom for you.

- By Kelly Roper

I Wasn't Raised in a Mansion

I wasn’t raised in a mansion
Or fed with a silver spoon
I wasn’t bought up to think money is everything
Because only fools believe that’s true.

I wasn’t raised to live out my parents dream
But to proudly dream my own
I wasn’t raised to walk the popular path
But to strongly pave my own.

I wasn’t raised with material things
But something great indeed
I was raised with love
And love is all I need.

- By Charlise Butner

Handprint

You were lying in my arms,
As I tried to say goodbye,
“It might be for the best,” they said,
But I knew that was a lie.

I gazed at your little handprint,
Given to us that day,
You wouldn’t feel pain again,
But I wanted you to stay.

You fought for every breath you took,
Never letting go,
Until one day God made you His,
Leaving all of us below.

Although you couldn’t walk or talk,
Or even count to ten,
Your short life had more impact,
Than a hundred million men.

- By Tony Doiron

White Stars

The small white stars that fall to earth
When December snows come down
Are envied by the small gold stars
That shine above the town.

“We wish that we could fall from the sky,
And cover the earth” they said.
“How lovely our shining gold would look
Upon the dead earth spread!”

“Don’t envy us!” The white starts said.
“We’re only snowflakes, you see
And your place far up in the midnight sky
Is the safest place to be!”

“Would you like to know what happens to us?”
The white stars asked the gold.
“We melt away and disappear -
Before we are one day old!”

The gold stars were shocked to hear this news,
They settled back in the sky,
Quite contended to watch the white stars
Merrily passing by.

- By Lenore Hetrick

God Saw You

God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped his arms around you,
and whispered, “Come to me”.
You didn’t deserve what you went through,
So He gave you rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best
And when I saw you sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain
I could not wish you back
To suffer that again.

- By Frances & Kathleen Coelho

Fingerprints

Your fingerprints are on my heart.
Fingerprints that teach me about caring.
Fingerprints that teach me about love.
Fingerprints that teach me about courage.
Fingerprints that teach me about hope.
Fingerprints that bring me closer to my loved ones.
Fingerprints that bring me closer to myself.

In the time I cared for you my whole life changed —
never to be the same again
All this from tiny fingerprints that touch my heart.
You will live in my heart forever – never to be forgotten.

I will always love you.
You are my child.

- By Tom Krause

Little Dove

Little Dove I love you so
But I know you had to go.
So spread your wings
And fly my love,
Soar above the world my dove.

Paint the sky in indigo
Let your graceful colours flow,
And I’ll search the sky
For your rainbow.

- By Christy Ann Martine

Little Butterfly

I lived my life inside you
Cocooned in all your love,
So mama, papa, please don’t cry
I’m still with you, just up above.

I felt your every heartbeat
It’s my sweetest melody,
And for every heavenly bedtime
The Angels play it back to me.

I know how much that I am wanted
I feel so very blessed,
Of all the mummies in the world
I got the very best!

You think of me in all your waking hours
And on those sleepless nights,
Just look out the window and you’ll find me
The brightest star, the most dazzling light.

I’m that little breeze in the summer
And I’m the unexpected white feather,
I plucked it from my downy wings
So that you remember we are always together.

I know how much it hurts your soul
When we had to say goodbye,
But I’m not gone, I’m always here
I’m your sweet little butterfly.

- By Amy Farquhar

If Roses Grow in Heaven

If roses grow in Heaven Lord
Please pick a bunch for me,
Place them in my Daughter’s arms
And tell her they’re from me.

Tell her that I love and miss her
And when she turns to smile,
Place a kiss upon her cheek
And hold her for a while.

Because remembering her is easy
I do it every day,
But there is an ache within my heart
That will never go away.

- By Dolores M. Garcia

A Brother Just Like You

I just wanted to let you know
You mean the world to me.
Only a heart as dear as yours
Would give so unselfishly.

The many thing you’ve done
All the times that you were there for me.
Helped me to know how deep down inside
How much you really care.

Even though I might not say
I appreciate all you do for me.
Greatly blessed is how I feel
Having a brother just like you.

- Author Unknown

Brother Trouble

Of all the burdens I must bear,
My brother’s number one.
Our parents really messed up there.
They’ve raised an awful son.
He’s lazy, stubborn, rough and mean
And thinks he’s boss of me.
The biggest grouch you’ve ever seen
And greedy as can be.

His constant teasing makes me sore.
He does it just for spite.
He cheats and brags and, furthermore,
He tickles when we fight.
Unless he stops, I swear someday
I’ll punch his ugly face.
And if they’d let me have my way,
I’d shoot him into space.

But other times he’s not so bad.
He’s taught me lots of games.
He gave me toys and books he had
And calls me funny names.
He helps me when my homework’s hard
And finds me when I hide.
He built the treehouse in our yard
And lets me play inside.

He laughs at every joke I tell
And gives me good advice.
He knows when I’m not feeling well
And treats me extra nice.
So, all in all, I’d have to say
It’s better in the end
To let the no-good nuisance stay.
My brother is my friend.

- By Richard Thomas

Twins

(YOUR NAME) and (YOUR TWIN’S NAME), yes we are twins.
You better watch close, let the games begin.
We have the same hair the same colour eyes.
Me and my sister - master of disguise.

She feels when I’m hurt and knows when I’m sad.
We have the same giggle even when we are bad.
There are times that we fight, but we’re good in the end.
My twin sister and I are bestest of friends.

- By S Raine

My Soulmate

I still say I Love You,
But now there’s no reply.
I always feel your presence
As if you never left my side.

I remember your comforting voice.
Now there’s not a sound.
Only echoes from the past
Follow me around.

You’re always by my side,
But I can’t hold your hand.
The reason why God took you
I find hard to understand.

Summer days seem much shorter.
Dark nights just linger on.
Dreams turn into nightmares
When the one you love has gone.

But real love never fades.
It still burns like the sun.
Although they’re far away,
Those memories go on and on.

Her spirit will never die
It shines like the stars.
I know you’re sleeping in heaven,
But you’re living in my heart.

- By John P. Read

Should You Go First

Should you go first and I remain
to walk the road alone
I’ll live in memory’s garden, dear
with happy days we’ve known
in Spring I’ll wait for roses red,
when fades the lilacs blue,
in early fall, when brown leaves call
I’ll catch a glimpse of you.

Should you go first, and I remain
for battles to be fought,
each thing you’ve touched along the way
will be a hallowed spot
I’ll hear your voice;
I’ll see your smile,
though blindly I may grope
the memory of your helping hand
will buoy me on with hope.

Should you go first and I remain
to finish with the scroll,
no length’ning shadows shall creep in
to make this life seem droll
We’ve known so much of happiness
we’ve had our cup of joy,
and memory is one gift of God
that death cannot destroy.

Should you go first and I remain,
one thing I’d have you do;
walk slowly down that long, lone path,
for soon I’ll follow you
I’ll want to know each step you take
that I may walk the same,
for some day down that lonely road
you’ll hear me call your name.

- By A.A. Rowswell

When Do I Think of You?

I think of you in the morning
before the sun rises,
when in the still of the darkness
my heart feels your presence.
Your love, your tenderness,
your slow rhythmic breathing as you sleep,
and I am at peace.

I think of you when the first rays of sunlight
spill like a waterfall between the blinds
and settle in my eyes.
I reach my hand, my foot, any body part will do,
to touch you and breathe you in.
It feeds my heart, my soul, my spirit,
and I am at peace.

I think of you at noon when the sun is at its highest,
when the heat warms my skin
and causes my eyes to close with sheer pleasure.
Thoughts of you surround me, envelop me, overpower me.
Images of you swirl around like a funnel cloud,
sucking into its grasp all that it touches,
and I am at peace.

I think of you when the sun is setting
and its final rays of light begin to fade.
I can hear your voice, deep, soft, and slow in my head-
words of beauty, joy, friendship, and everlasting love.
My heart begins to sing a love song so sweet and so gentle.
I cannot wait to share my day with you and yours with me.
And I am at peace.

I think of you when the sun has set and the stillness of the moon
is displaying one of its many wondrous phases.
Thoughts of your smile, your laugh, and your eyes
create a feeling that is impossible to express with just words.
The need to touch you, to feel you, to drink you in
is almost too much to hold inside.
Anticipation of you is the greatest gift.
I am at peace.

- By Sherry Hilderbrand

She Is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone,
Or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,
Or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she is gone,
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.

Or you can do what she would want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

- By David Harkins

Music

Normally at a funeral there are three pieces of music included in a service; on entering, for reflection and the music that’s played when leaving. These can be anything that sparks a memory, expresses how you feel, or maybe it’s just a favourite song. To help in your search for the perfect song, we've created a selection of playlists on our YouTube Channel, with everything from funeral songs, to hymns, and even a playlist for when you're feeling griefy.

YOUTUBE

EXCERPTS

Excerpts

If you're looking for a non-religious reading, taking a paragraph or few lines from a book could be something to consider; perhaps from your loved one's favourite book, or maybe even just something that tells a story about your loved one.

Click on the excerpt tile below to view the full excerpt:

- Each excerpt is downloadable as a free, print-ready A4 PDF, for easy printing if wishing to use at your loved one's funeral.