Funeral poems for someone gone too soon

Poems for a death that came far too early. They do not pretend it was fair, and that is what makes them bearable to read out.

Poet

Reading time

Who it's for

Gone too soon

Sort

A to Z

9 poems

Epitaph on a Friend

Lord Byron · 1807

Oh, Friend! for ever lov'd, for ever dear! What fruitless tears have bathed thy honour'd bier!

2 min

Who's it for

A best friend, especially one who died young. Right for a family who would rather the grief were said out loud than smoothed over.

For a friendGone too soonNon-religiousTear jerkerUnusual

Read the poem

Epitaph on an Infant

Samuel Taylor Coleridge · 1794

Ere Sin could blight or Sorrow fade, Death came with friendly care;

10 sec

Who's it for

A baby, or a child who died very small. It is right where a family believe their child is somewhere safe and being looked after now.

ComfortingFor a babyFor a childGentleGone too soonPlain EnglishReligious

Read the poem

For the Fallen

Laurence Binyon · 1914

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

15 sec

Who's it for

Anyone who served, and especially someone who died young in uniform. Right for a family who want the words everybody in the room will already know.

A classicFor a veteranGone too soonPlain EnglishTraditional

Read the poem

It is not growing like a tree

Ben Jonson · 1640

It is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make man better be;

35 sec

Who's it for

Anyone who died young, and a family who need to hear that a short life was still a whole one. Right for a person who packed a lot in.

ComfortingGone too soonUnusualUplifting

Read the poem

Little Boy Blue

Eugene Field · 1888

The little toy dog is covered with dust, But sturdy and staunch he stands;

1 min

Who's it for

A small child, and a family who need the loss said simply rather than explained away. It is right where the toys are still in the house.

A classicFor a childGentleGone too soonPlain EnglishTear jerker

Read the poem

The Soldier

Rupert Brooke · 1915

If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field

55 sec

Who's it for

Someone who served, and especially anyone who died far from home. Right for a family who want something formal and proud.

A classicFor a veteranGone too soonTraditional

Read the poem

Warm Summer Sun

Robert Richardson · 1893

Warm summer sun, shine friendly here; Warm western wind, blow kindly here;

10 sec

Who's it for

Someone who died young, and a family who want something very short and very tender. Right where a longer reading would be more than anyone could manage.

GentleGone too soonNon-religiousOutdoorsyPlain EnglishTear jerker

Read the poem

When I have fears that I may cease to be

John Keats · 1848

When I have fears that I may cease to be Before my pen has glean'd my teeming brain,

50 sec

Who's it for

A writer, a painter, or anyone who had more they meant to make. It belongs to a person who died in the middle of their work.

For a writerFor an artistGone too soonNon-religiousTear jerker

Read the poem

With rue my heart is laden

A. E. Housman · 1896

With rue my heart is laden For golden friends I had,

20 sec

Who's it for

A friend, which is the one it is really for, and anyone who died young. Right for someone who was good company and quick on their feet.

For a friendGentleGone too soonNon-religiousOutdoorsyTear jerker

Read the poem

Now put it in the order of service

Try our order of service builder. Add the poems, songs and readings you have chosen, and we put the booklet together around them.

Make an order of service