27 Beautiful Obituary Poems (Emotional + Uplifting Options)
We’ve compiled a heartfelt collection of obituary poems to help you write a meaningful tribute for your loved one.
We’ve compiled a heartfelt collection of obituary poems to help you write a meaningful tribute for your loved one.
In the wake of loss, words often seem inadequate to express the depth of our emotions. Obituaries, while important for sharing information, can sometimes feel impersonal. This is where poetry steps in, offering a powerful and evocative way to honor the life of a loved one.
Poems can capture the essence of a person in a way that may be difficult to achieve otherwise. A few well-chosen lines can speak volumes about a person's personality, spirit, and impact on those around them. But not just any poem will do. Finding the right words and the perfect sentiment can be a daunting task.
This article of obituary poems aims to be your guide. We've curated a diverse selection of poems specifically suited for obituaries, encompassing a range of emotions and themes.
Whether you seek a poem that celebrates a life well-lived, offers comfort in grief, or reflects a strong faith, we have something for you. Let poetry add a touch of beauty and depth to your tribute, ensuring your loved one's memory is cherished forever.
Finding the perfect poem to honor your loved one in an obituary can be a meaningful way to express your grief and celebrate their life. Here's a practical guide to help you choose the right poem:
Uplifting poems are ideal for obituaries that focus on the positive impact the deceased had on others, their zest for life, or a hopeful outlook on the afterlife.
These poems can offer comfort and inspiration to those grieving. To incorporate an uplifting poem, choose words that highlight the deceased's spirit, achievements, or enduring love.
When these graven lines you see,
Traveler, do not pity me;
Though I be among the dead,
Let no mournful word be said.
____
Those we love remain with us
for love itself lives on,
and cherished memories never fade
because a loved one’s gone.
Those we love can never
be more than a thought apart,
far as long as there is memory,
they’ll live on in the heart.
____
Remember when you go into the world to
keep your eyes and ears wide open.
And be kind.
Love one another.
Take care of each other.
Tell the truth.
Always do your best.
Listen to the big people and the little people.
Explore new paths and have fun.
Know that you are loved like crazy.
Give thanks for all your blessings.
Above all else,
Love, and you will do
wonderful things in this world.
____
Warm summer sun,
Shine kindly here,
Warm southern wind,
Blow softly here.
Green sod above,
Lie light, lie light.
Good night, dear heart,
Good night, good night.
____
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
this grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down.
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
____
Under the wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave, and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly I die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me:
Here he lies where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from sea;
And the hunter home from the hill.
Grief is a natural response to loss. Emotional poems allow mourners to acknowledge their sadness while honoring the deceased.
Consider poems that capture the depth of your emotions or the special bond you shared with the person. Look for words that resonate with your personal experience of loss.
It was beautiful
as long as it lasted
the journey of my life.
I have no regrets
whatsoever save
the pain I'll leave behind.
Those dear hearts
who love and care
and the heavy with sleep
ever moist eyes.
The smile, in spite of a
lump in the throat
and the strings pulling
at the heart and soul.
The strong arms
that held me up
when my own strength
let me down.
Each morsel that I was
fed with was full of love divine.
At every turning of my life
I came across
good friends.
Friends who stood by me
even when the time raced by.
Farewell, Farewell
my friends.
I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears,
for I need them not.
All I need is your smile.
If you feel sad
think of me
for that's what I'd like.
When you live in the hearts
of those you love,
remember then...
you never die.
___
If I should die and
Leave you here awhile,
Be not like others sore undone,
Who keep long vigils
By the silent dust and weep.
For my sake, turn again
To life and smile
Nerving thy heart
And trembling hand to do
Something to comfort
Other hearts than thine.
Complete these dear
Unfinished Tasks of mine,
And I, perchance
May therein comfort you.
____
when i go from this place
dress the porch with garlands
as you would for a wedding day, my dear
pull the people from their homes
and dance in the streets
when death arrives
like a bride at the aisle
send me off in my brightest clothing
serve ice cream with rose petals to our guests
there's no reason to cry, my dear
i have waited my whole life
for such a beauty to take
my breath away
when i go
let it be a celebration
for i have been here
i have lived
i have won at this game called life
____
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
____
The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours
The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.
A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.
____
No winter without a spring
And beyond the dark horizon
Our hearts will once more sing...
For those who leave us for a while
Have only gone away
Out of a restless, careworn world
Into a brighter day
Mothers hold a special place in our lives, and their passing can be deeply felt. Poems for Mom can focus on themes of unconditional love, unwavering support, and the strength of the bond between parent and child.
Consider incorporating poems that celebrate her nurturing spirit, her unique personality, or the cherished memories you hold dear. These poems can be a source of comfort and a way to express the depth of love and gratitude for your mother.
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.
____
Death is too negative for me,
So I'll be popping off for a long cup of tea.
Do splash out on two bags in the pot,
And for my God's sake, keep the water hot.
____
I try and cope the best I can
But I'm missing you so much.
If I could only see you
And once more feel your touch.
Yes, you've just walked on ahead of me.
Don't worry, I'll be fine.
But now and then, I swear I feel
Your hand slip into mine.
____
She’s in the sun, the wind, the rain,
she’s in the air you breathe
with every breath you take.
She sings a song of hope and cheer,
there’s no more pain, no more fear.
You’ll see her in the clouds above,
hear her whisper words of love,
you’ll be together before long,
until then, listen for her song.
____
I wake up in the morning,
And I look up to the sky.
I wonder why he took you,
before I said goodbye.
I look up to the stars at night,
And know you’re looking down.
I’d like to think you’re proud of me,
But I’m just stumbling round.
I crawl in bed and close my eyes,
And realize that you’re gone.
Then comes the fears and then the tears,
And life just seems so wrong.
I glance up at the heavens,
And I know you’re flying by.
My Angel’s watching over me,
I’m happy as I cry.
Fathers often play a vital role in shaping who we become. Poems for Dad can explore themes of guidance, strength, and the lessons learned.
Look for poems that capture his sense of humor, his work ethic, or the special way he made you feel. Whether lighthearted or sentimental, including a poem in his obituary can be a touching tribute to a father's love and influence.
When loved ones have to part
To help us feel we are with them still
And soothe a grieving heart
They span the years and warm our lives
Preserving ties that bind
Our memories build a special bridge
And bring us peace of mind.
____
Let me die a young man's death
not a clean and in between
the sheets holy water death,
not a famous-last-words
peaceful out-of-breath death.
When I'm 73,
and in constant good tumour,
may I be mown down at dawn
by a bright red sports car
on my way home
from an all-night party.
Or when I'm 91,
with silver hair
and sitting in a barber's chair,
may rival gangsters
with hamfisted Tommy guns burst in
and give me a short back and insides.
Or when I'm 104,
and banned from the Cavern
may my mistress
catching me in bed with her daughter
and fearing for her son
cut me up into little pieces
and throw away every piece but one.
Let me die a young man's death,
not a free-from-sin tiptoe in
candle wax and waning death,
not a curtains drawn by angels borne
'what a nice way to go' death.
____
Where do people go to when they die?
Somewhere down below or in the sky?
“I can’t be sure,” said Grandad, “but it seems
They simply set up home inside our dreams.”
____
You think I’ve gone, that I am dead, and life has lost its will,
But look around, I am right there, living with you still.
I watch your tears, I feel your pain – I see the things you do.
I weep as well, each time you cry, my soul, it lives with you.
It gives such joy to hear you laugh, and do the things you do.
And when you smile o’er bygone days, I smile right with you too.
For we’re still one, just you and me, one mind, one soul, one being
Walking forward into life, though only you are seen.,
And in the stillness of the night, when the pain it really starts,
Stretch out a little with your mind and draw me to your heart,
For I am always right in there, always by your side,
For you have been, all my life’s days, my joy, my love, my pride.
____
Oh dear, if you’re reading this right now,
I must have given up the ghost.
I hope you can forgive me for being
Such a stiff and unwelcoming host.
Just talk amongst yourself, my friends,
And share a toast or two.
For I am sure you will remember well
How I loved to drink with you.
Don't worry about mourning me,
I was never easy to offend.
Feel free to share a story at my expense,
And we'll have a good laugh at the end.
____
I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead, he is just away.
With a cheery smile and a wave of hand
He has wandered into an unknown land;
And left us dreaming how very fair
Its needs must be, since he lingers there.
And you — oh you, who the wildest yearn
From the old-time step and the glad return —
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of there, as the love of here
Think of him still the same way, I say;
He is not dead, he is just away.
____
When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.
For those with strong religious beliefs, incorporating a poem that reflects their faith can be a source of comfort and peace.
Religious poems often speak of hope for the afterlife, divine love, and the promise of a reunion. Choose a poem that aligns with the deceased's specific religious beliefs and offers solace to those who share their faith.
God looked around his garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the Earth and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
With the help of his angels they flew you to your heavenly place.
Gods garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never get well on Earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough and the hills too hard to climb.
He closed your weary eyelids and whispered, “Peace be Thine”
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you the day God called you home.
____
When tomorrow starts without me, and I am not here to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me,
I know how much you love me as much as I love you.
And each time you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand
That Jesus came and called my name and took me by the hand.
He said my place is ready in heaven far above,
And that I have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
____
We little knew the day that
God was going to call your name.
In life, we loved you dearly,
In death, we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you.
But you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories.
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one
the chain will link again.
Choosing from poems like this for an obituary is a beautiful way to celebrate a life, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. There are countless ways to honor and celebrate the life of your loved one, and one way to do it is by hosting a personalized, meaningful memorial service.
If you’re planning out your memorial event in the Los Angeles area, consider using Meadow.
We offer a more compassionate and meaningful way to celebrate a life with customized memorial planning services.
Our team of caring memorial planners will partner with you during this tender time to create an occasion as remarkable as the life it honors.
With our licensed team, you can expect:
The Meadow Cremation package includes everything you need for a simple cremation.
Everything you need for a traditional memorial service at one of our partner chapels.
We'll help you create a memory that will last forever at a Beautiful Venue across Los Angeles County.
