Eulogy Poems

These poems, or just excerpts of them, may help you in your search for the right words for a eulogy.

"The Dash," by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

at the funeral of his friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

and spoke of the following date with tears,

but he said what mattered most of all

was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

that she spent alive on earth…

and now only those who loved her

know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;

the cars…the house…the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard…

are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left.

That can still be rearranged

If we could just slow down enough

to consider what's true and real,

and always try to understand

the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives

like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

and more often wear a smile…

remembering that this special dash

might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read

with your life's actions to rehash...

would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent your dash?

"Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep," by Mary Frye

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.

"She Is Gone," by David Harkins

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'll come back 
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her 
or you can be full of the love 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's 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'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

"All Is Well," by Henry Scott Holland

Death is nothing at all,

I have only slipped into the next room

I am I and you are you

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by my old familiar name,

Speak to 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 we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household world that it always was,

Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,

Just around the corner.

All is well.