American writer Chuck Palahniuk once said: “Art never comes from happiness”. When you are happy, you don’t feel the need to be heard and understood. On the opposite, whenever we feel down the necessity of emotional release is much higher. In the time of grief and sorrow, we often search for the right words to say. That’s how poems about dealing with death are being created. We look for something that could comfort us or our close ones.
There are no such words that can heal the wounds in our hearts or fill in the emptiness in our souls when someone close passes away. But at least with the help of poems for deceased, it is possible to slightly ease suffering and sadness caused by the loss.
Death is an inevitable part of life. However, we are rarely ready to accept decease. Dramatic poetry about mother’s death or emotional RIP poems for father might help you in the darkest times so you could move on. If it isn’t you who is dealing with the loss, choose from our collection of funeral poems to express your sincere condolences.
The thing is, even if there were all the prerequisites leading to the death of a beloved one, you’d never be ready. Rhyming poems about a loved one dying may give you strength and bring peace to your grieving soul.
Remember, time won’t heal the scars but it can make you stronger. We sincerely hope that you will find comfort in the poems we’ve found for you.
Sad Poems about Death
There wouldn’t be life without death and vice versa. But the thing is, even understanding this simple truth doesn’t make it any easier to cope with the death of people we love. We sincerely hope that poetry about death will at least give you a better understanding of what to do next and how to learn to live with the pain from the loss.
God looked around his garden
And He found an empty place.
He then looked down upon this earth,
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
Tears on My Pillow
By: Kelly Roper
Tears on my pillow,
I can’t count how many I’ve cried.
I feel so awfully hollow,
Almost like it’s me that died.
How long will I feel so empty,
Will this heartache ever end?
How long will I have to wait,
Until we meet in Heaven, my friend?
We’ll See This Through
They say this, too, shall pass,
They say grief eventually fades.
But those sayings are of little comfort
When you’re living through such sad days.
They say that time heals all,
And this much I know is true.
So hang in there, my dearest friend,
And together we’ll see this through
Farewell
By Anne Bronte
Farewell to Thee! But not farewell
To all my fondest thoughts of Thee;
Within my heart they still shall dwell
And they shall cheer and comfort me.
Life seems more sweet that Thou didst live
And men more true Thou wert one;
Nothing is lost that Thou didst give,
Nothing destroyed that Thou hast done.
Touching RIP Poems for Father
Left without a father a person feels like a bridge without the main pillar. J.D. Salinger wrote, “Just because somebody’s dead, you don’t just stop liking them…”. It seems that after the loss, you love your dad even more. But what’s killing the most is that he’s not here and you can’t express your love as you used to do it before. The poems were written by those who have been in the same situation as you are. These lines will show you how important it is to share your grief and sorrow and not keep all of this inside.
I Hope I Make You Proud, Dad
By Jodie Ogle
I hope I make you proud, Dad; even though you’re no longer here,
Your memory grows stronger with every passing year.
At the end it was a battle, one you weren’t to win.
A fight against a demon, no choice but to give in.
I wish I could’ve said goodbye; that morning when you left,
Told you you were my hero and that you were the best,
Tears I cry in secret at night before I sleep,
Wishing you were beside me, you’d be forever here to keep.
The years don’t make it easier; they said the pain would go.
It seems I’ve just got better not letting my feelings show.
Wishing I could hold your hand to shout your name aloud.
You’re no longer here, Dad, but I hope I make you proud.
Keeping My Daddy With Me
By Lisa Gardner
My heart changed when you left.
Time froze and I wanted to hide.
It was a moment that will stay with me forever…
the day my Daddy died.
I am remembering good times
and forgetting all of the bad…
holding onto special times and the laughter we had.
I am living for today,
because it is what I must do…
but that does not stop me from thinking about you.
I will love you always and forever.
One day, Heaven will bring us together.
So watch over us Daddy, as I know you do,
and I will keep remembering how much I love you.
Dad
By an Unknown Author
We’ll always remember
that special smile,
that caring heart,
that warm embrace,
you always gave us.
You being there
for Mom and us,
through good and bad times,
no matter what.
We’ll always remember
you Dad because
they’ll never be another one
to replace you in our hearts,
and the love we will always
have for you.
Your Very Own Guardian Angel
By an Unknown Author
The loss of a father
Is a heavy burden to bear.
He’s a source of quiet strength
That is so missed when he’s not there.
Take comfort he’s in Heaven,
And looking down at you.
He’ll be there through the coming years,
Watching over and guiding you.
He’s your very own guardian angel,
And he’ll be with you to the end,
When you meet again in Heaven,
And your broken heart will finally mend.
The Bond Between Father and Son
By an Unknown Author
A father and his son
Are inexplicably bound,
And that bond isn’t severed just
Because Dad’s no longer around.
A son remembers his father’s words,
His wisdom and his wit.
There’s never a day the ever goes by,
When the son doesn’t find a use for it.
And this is how the father lives on
Inside the heart of his son.
Although they were parted years ago
In this way the two live as one.
Mourning Dramatic Poetry about Mother’s Death
We know that most words of condolences don’t help much to feel better, especially when it comes to the death of a mother. To be honest, nothing helps. Only time and your inner strength will heal the wounds from the loss. As for now, you may find some comfort in reading these poems about mother’s death.
Away
By: James Whitcomb Riley
I cannot say and I will not say
That she is dead, she is just away.
With a cheery smile and a wave of hand
She has wandered into an unknown land;
And left us dreaming how very fair
Its needs must be, since she lingers there.
And you-oh you, who the wildest yearn
From the old-time step and the glad return-
Think of her faring on, as dear
In the love of there, as the love of here
Think of her still the same way, I say;
She is not dead, she is just away.
If Roses Grow in Heaven
By Dolores M. Garcia
If roses grow in heaven,
Lord please pick a bunch for me,
Place them in my Mother’s arms
and tell her they’re from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
but there’s an ache within my heart
that will never go away.
We Had a Wonderful Mother
We had a wonderful mother,
One who never really grew old;
Her smile was made of sunshine,
And her heart was solid gold;
Her eyes were as bright as shining stars,
And in her cheeks fair roses you see.
We had a wonderful mother,
And that’s the way it will always be.
But take heed, because
She’s still keeping an eye on all of us,
So let’s make sure
She will like what she sees.
My Mother
By Carol Bodenham
…When I look up to the sky,
I’ll tell you what I see.
I see my mother,
And she’s looking back at me…
Although You’re Gone
By Shannon Walker
Although you’re gone, I’m not alone,
And never shall I be,
For the precious memories of the bond we shared
Will never depart from me.
Our love surpassed the ups and downs
And helped us along the way,
And that same love will give me strength
To manage this loss each day.
On my mind and in my heart,
Mom, you shall forever be,
For just as much as I am a part of you,
You are a part of me!
Powerful Poems for the Deceased
Love and hate, life and death – these are probably the most common themes in poetry. Why? Because that’s what concerns every person without exception. Because we all experience these things. And no matter how desperately you want to avoid death, sooner or later it’ll come. People, who wrote these poems, share their thoughts and feelings about this topic.
Silent tear
Each night we shed a silent tear,
As we speak to you in prayer.
To let you know we love you,
And just how much we care.
Take our million teardrops,
Wrap them up in love,
Then ask the wind to carry them,
To you in heaven above.
Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
By Mary Elizabeth 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 sun 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.
Turn again to life
By: Mary Lee Hall
If I should die and leave you here a while,
be not like others sore undone,
who keep long vigil by the silent dust.
For my sake turn again to life and smile,
nerving thy heart and trembling hand
to do something to comfort other hearts than mine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
and I perchance may therein comfort you.
Memories
By Louise Bailey
I feel a warmth around me,
like your presence is so near.
And I close my eyes to visualize
your face when you were here.
I endure the times we spent together,
and they are locked inside my heart
As long as I have those memories
we will never be apart.
Even though we cannot speak anymore,
my voice is always there,
because every night before I sleep,
I have you in my prayer.
Woeful Poems about Lost Family
They say only after you lose something, you start appreciating it more. That’s probably true. We’re not saying that you don’t appreciate your family or something like that. What we mean is that people tend to regret a lot of things after a close person dies. We start recalling all of those times we could have said “I love you”, but didn’t do it. And of course, all of these memories and emotions make it harder to deal with the loss of a family member. That’w what the following poems are about.
If I Should Go
By Joyce Grenfell
If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known
Weep if you must
Parting is hell
But life goes on
So sing as well.
Change of Address
By: Dónall Dempsey
You didn’t die you just changed shape
became invisible to the naked eye
became this grief
it’s sharpness more real
than your presence was
before you were separate to me entire to yourself
now you are a part of me
you are inside myself
I call you by your new name
‘Grief…Grief!’
although I still call you ‘Love.’
Death
By Rainer Maria Rilke
Before us great Death stands
Our fate held close within his quiet hands.
When with proud joy we lift Life’s red wine
To drink deep of the mystic shining cup
And ecstasy through all our being leaps—
Death bows his head and weeps.
Strong
By Kelvin Jernigan
I have to be strong not for me
But for everyone else
I want to cry I want to scream
But no one can see my hollow tears
I keep you near to keep me sane
But the thought of you makes me sad
I want to hide and cry alone
But you are here and it keeps me real
I know you’ve left this solid ground
But in my heart you still live
You’ve kept me together for so long
So I will stay strong for everyone else
Sorrowful Rhyming Poems about Loved Ones that Dying
Seeing that a person you love and care about is losing a fight to death and being completely unable to do something about it is one of the worst things which can happen to us. If you are looking for the words of comfort in such a difficult period, take a look at poems written by people who once were in your shoes and know exactly how it feels to be helpless next to loved ones that dying.
MISS ME BUT LET ME GO
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little–but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me–but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss Me–But Let me Go.
Death
By Lucy Berry
What’s a good death? Good about death?
Good about saying goodbye to breath?
I am your land. You are my sky.
How shall we speak a world’s goodbye?
How make good the cosmic ache
Of universes going to break?
How make good the final kiss,
The final friend, the final bliss?
How make good the final sight
Of final day forever night?
You quit the form I slept so near.
And still you’re dear.
But am I, dear?
The Broken Chain
By: Ron Tranmer
We little knew that morning 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, you did not 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.
Farewell
By Anne Bronte
Farewell to Thee! But not farewell
To all my fondest thoughts of Thee;
Within my heart they still shall dwell
And they shall cheer and comfort me.
Life seems more sweet that Thou didst live
And men more true Thou wert one;
Nothing is lost that Thou didst give,
Nothing destroyed that Thou hast done.
Uplifting Poem about Dealing with Death
Want it or not we all face death at some point and the hardest task is to find the strength inside to cope with the loss of a close person and move on with our own life. Moreover, it happens that we have to be twice as strong in order to help other people get through these hard times. Poems which you’ll find below aren’t depressive. On the opposite, they are quite uplifting and faith inspiring.
My Angel
I wake up in the morning
And I look up to the sky
I wonder why he took you
before I said good-bye
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 Angels watching over me
I’m happy as I cry
For Katrina’s Sun Dial
By Henry Van Dyke
Time is too slow for those who wait,
Too swift for those who fear,
Too long for those who grieve,
Too short for those who rejoice,
But for those who love, time is
Eternity.
I wrote your name
By Author unknown
I wrote your name in the sand,
but the waves washed it away.
I wrote your name in the sky,
but the wind blew it away.
So I wrote your name in my heart,
and that’s where it will stay, always
Turn Again to Life
By Mary Lee Hall
If I should die and leave you here a while,
be not like others sore undone,
who keep long vigil by the silent dust.
For my sake turn again to life and smile,
nerving thy heart and trembling hand
to do something to comfort other hearts than mine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
and I perchance may therein comfort you.
Touching Funeral Poems to Relieve Sadness
Different kinds of art have always been a way of expressing the emotions, both good and bad ones. Keeping all of the pain caused by the death of someone you loved more than anything isn’t helpful. On the contrary, releasing of such emotions can help you to move on. That’s why we suggest that you read some touching poems that can be read at a funeral.
Poem for a Funeral
By Sri Chinmoy
“Life is a journey.
Death is the continuation of the journey.
Heaven is a temporary rest.
For the commencement and fulfillment
Of a new life, a new hope
And a new promise”
Fallen Limb
A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, “Grieve not for me”.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we’re together again.
There is no night without a dawning
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, care worn world
Into a brighter day
Helen Steiner Rice
Fight Suicide with Meaningful Poems
It is hard to believe and accept, but the number of people who committed suicide is getting bigger and bigger each year. The awareness of this problem should be put on the agenda. We have found a couple of poems that describe feelings and emotions of people who have faced the hurt from losing a close one to suicide. Don’t forget that we all can something to help those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts.
What Have I Done?
By Kylie (Drumchick)
…It was an accident, I didn’t mean to!
I wanna go back, think it through!
What have I done!!?
But she can’t hear me.
All I can see, is her misery.
What have I done?.
I got my suffering to go away,
As I did, my best friends pain started today.
What have I done?..
Rest Easy
By Heather Fisher
Everyday I shed a tear
just knowing you’re not here
I can’t believe you left
I can’t forgive for this theft
Everyone thinks I’m to young to understand
but I all I want is to again hold your hand
the memories in my head will start to fade
so I start to become afraid,
I will not see you for awhile
and now I can no longer smile
I look at your picture and start to cry
because I never got to say goodbye
Gone Too Soon
By: Lisa Milczarski
I know you’re in heaven dancing and free
but there’s so much more you should be here to see.
So many things I never got to say
because I never thought that you would go away.
I never told you cause I thought that you knew
but would that have changed what you planned to do?
I am glad that you are free from the fears you held inside
but I wish you had come to me and put aside your pride.
The world is a lonelier place without you
I guess that you thought this was all you could do.
When I see you again I’ll tell you that you were wrong
and how much I’ve missed you everyday you’ve been gone.
Maybe
By Hannah Janise
Maybe I don’t know yet
Maybe things have changed
Maybe I’m not the one to take the blame.
You did it all yourself, but I just stood there, mouth gaped
As you slowly cut deeper into your skin.
How was I to know that you were going all the way this time.
Your breaths got shortened I realized you weren’t coming back
I whispered, “I love you”.
You didn’t say a word, just lay there staring at me with lifeless eyes.
I could have stopped you and I realize
I am to blame.
Grief Poems about Husband Death
“Until death do us part”, saying this vow at the wedding, most of us don’t really believe that separation will actually come one day. Losing a spouse is tough, it seems that nothing will ever fill the void in a heart of a grieving wife. Below you will find a few beautiful poems that are expressing all of the hurt a widow experiences after her husband’s death.
No Night Without You
By Helen Steiner Rice
There is no night without a dawning
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, care worn world
Into a brighter day.
Nevermore
will I see your smiling face,
will I feel your strong firm embrace.
will I wish upon the starry skies,
will I gaze into your loving eyes.
will I feel your warm lips upon mine,
will my eyes sparkle and shine.
the streets your feet will roam,
Because Our Lord and Savior decided to take you Home.
Marriage Is Forever
I take you
From this day forward,
To love and to miss,
For better or for worse,
For emptiness or joyful memory,
In sadness and in grief,
Even after death has made us part.
I take you as my husband/wife
In death as I did in life,
Because our love is forever.
My Lost Love
By: Anne Spiller
I have only just lost you; the pain is hard to bear.
Do I have to go through life knowing you’re not there?
Please, someone explain to me why he had to go.
Are there any reasons I really need to know?
I sit here and remember all the lovely times we shared,
the talks, the laughter, of everyone you cared.
I am told the pain will ease in time
and I will think of him without a tear,
but that will be impossible as I need to have him here.
He was my very world, my ever guiding star.
Just kiss me softly on the cheek and tell me where you are.
