Funeral Prayers, Burial Poems and Inspiration for Service Planning
Finding the right funeral prayers and / or burial poems can be a dauting task for those that are grieving. To help, we have put together a list of commonly used funeral poems and prayers for your reference.
Whether you are planning ahead for your own funeral, or planning the burial ceremony of a loved one, this list will help.
- Related Reading: Finding the Right Flowers for your Funeral or Burial Ceremony.
Christian Funeral Prayers
To start, if you’re looking for the perfect prayer for a funeral service, the Book of Common Prayer is a great place to start. The book was originally written in 1549 and has been updated and revised over the centuries.
Bible Verses as Prayers
In addition, Bible verses are often used as prayers at funerals.
A bible verse that is commonly used for Christian funerals is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)
3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Bible Gateway, KJV
Psalm 23 (KJV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Bible Gateway, KJV
Bereavement Prayers and Poems
- Loss
- By Winifred M. Letts – 1882-1971
- A Meeting
- By Edith Wharton – 1862-1937
- O Captain! My Captain!
- By Walt Whitman – 1819-1892
- But Not Forgotten
- By Dorothy Parker
- Remember
- By Christina Rossetti
Christian Funeral Poems
- I Don’t Believe In Death
- By Pauline Webb
- Waiting at Heaven’s Door
- By Helen Steiner Rice
- In Peace Go Home
- By Alan Pemberton
- I Will Love Death
- By Sri Chinmoy
- God Saw You Getting Tired
- By Frances and Kathleen Coelho
Alternative Funeral Poems
- Let Me Go
- By Christina Rossetti
- Funeral Blues
- By W.H. Auden
- When I’m Gone
- By Lyman Hancock
- A Song of Living
- By Amelia Josephine Burr
- Immortality
- By Felix Adler
Immortality by Felix Adler
The dead are not dead if we have loved them truly.
In our own lives we can give them a kind of immortality.
Let us arise and take up the work they have left unfinished.
source
Hymns for Funerals
- How Great Thou Art
- Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
- The Old Rugged Cross
- Amazing Grace
- A Mighty Fortress is Our God
- The Lord is My Shepard
- Great is Thy Faithfulness
- Blessed Assurance
Conclusions on Funeral Prayers, Poems & Hymns
There is art and beauty in the creation of a celebration of life, funeral or burial ceremony. Picking songs, poems and prayers that are special to you and your loved ones is an important part of the grieving process. Please, take your time and let your choices be loving, respectful and even joyful.
Funeral Prayers Further Related Reading
