David Clegg Funeral Service
Many people choose to read memorial or bereavement poems at a funeral. Some of the world’s greatest poets have written down their thoughts and feelings on the loss of their loved ones, which may help you understand your own emotions. Whether it is finding the perfect way to express your love, or finding the words that capture what your loved one would have thought, poetry can give you great comfort in voicing how you feel.
We’ve put together a list of 10 short funeral poems, perfect to read as a memorial or eulogy at a funeral service. They also make ideal verses for funeral stationery and sympathy cards, and many of these short verses are suitable for religious or non-religious services.
A Song of Living by Amelia Josephine Barr
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky.
I have run and leaped with the rain,
I have taken the wind to my breast.
My cheek like a drowsy child
to the face of the earth I have pressed.
Because I have loved life,
I shall have no sorrow to die.
As Long As Hearts Remember
As long as hearts remember
As long as hearts still care
We do not part with those we love
They're with us everywhere
3. From The Excursion by William Wordsworth
And when the stream that overflows has passed,
A consciousness remains upon the silent shore of memory;
Images and precious thoughts that shall not be
And cannot be destroyed.
Irish Blessing
May the roads rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Love Shines Through
Like a shadow in the moonlight
Like the whisper of the seas
Like the echoes of a melody
Just beyond our reach
In the shadow of our sorrow
Past the whisper of goodbye
Love shines through eternity
A heartbeat from our eye
Memories
Life can never stay the same
No matter how we try
Our hands can never stop
The clock of life from ticking by
But love remains, unchanging
In the care of sorrowing hearts
For as the love of life is stilled
The love of memory starts
Our Memories Build A Special Bridge
When loved ones have to part
To help us feel were 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
The Star
A light went out on Earth for me
The day we said goodbye
And on that day a star was born,
The brightest in the sky
Reaching through the darkness
With its rays of purest white
Lighting up the Heavens
As it once lit up my life
With beams of love to heal
The broken heart you left behind
Where always in my memory
Your lovely star will shine
There Is No Night Without A Dawning by Helen Steiner Rice
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
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 thine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
And I perchance may therein comfort you.
Funeral Directors Liverpool
by 0010272312 • 07 Jul, 2022
Many people these days are opening up about bereavement and their personal journeys through grief. But when you’re searching for what to say when someone dies, you’ll often come up with as many examples of what not to say.
If you’re already struggling to find the right words of sympathy, this can add to anxieties about saying the ‘wrong’ thing at a time when the support of friends and family is most important.
Here, she offers 12 thoughts about things to say when someone dies and what to say to someone grieving.
1. “I’m sorry to hear…”
“People often avoid saying ‘I’m sorry to hear…’ because it sounds clichéd,” says Annie. “But it’s one of the best things to start off with when someone dies, simply because it’s true. It acknowledges what’s happened and it’s a form of empathy.”
2. Acknowledge the person’s death
“When you’re acknowledging a death, do it in a way that feels natural,” says Annie.
“You could simply start with words of sympathy such as: ‘I heard about John – how awful.’ When you are searching for what to say when someone dies, don’t be afraid to state what a terrible thing it is to have happened.”
3. Be empathetic
Regardless of how sad you’re feeling, or how you feel someone’s bereavement reflects your own experiences of loss, you should never assume that someone who has been bereaved feels the same as you, says Annie. Express sympathy with words like, “I can’t imagine what it feels for you.”
“Phrased this way,” she explains, “you’re expressing your sadness, while also acknowledging that their grief is unique.”
4. Be specific
“It can be supportive to ask questions and being specific is best,” advises Annie, who was inspired to write her book to help people with what to say to someone grieving, after the death of her own mom.
“When you are thinking about what to say when someone dies, it’s best to avoid saying general things, like, ‘How are you?’ which may get closed answers,” she says.
“Try asking ‘How are you coping? What are your days like? How do you feel when you wake up?’ or, ‘Have you got enough support?’
“The tendency in many people fearful of intruding on someone’s grief is that they shy away asking from questions like that.”
5. Talk about the person who’s died
“One of the main things people tell me they find really hard to cope with, is how no one talks about their loved one anymore,” says Annie.
“There’s a big difference between you saying, ‘God, I’m going to miss them, I feel like this…’ and a supportive gesture like sharing a memory.
“Words like, ‘They were so funny’, or, ‘I remember this about her so clearly…’ can open up an opportunity to talk.”
6. Express your sadness
When someone dies, it can leave many people feeling shell-shocked and sad.
“It’s okay to share your own feelings of sadness, just so long as you avoid implying to the people closer to them, that your feelings are the same,” says Annie.
7. Accept anger
Don’t let your own fear of someone’s tears or anger hold you back from expressing words of sympathy.
“You have to accept anger is okay and don’t take it personally,” says Annie.
“You’ve got to get rid of your own ego in this. They are already feeling bereft and upset. Don’t try and explain or fix something that’s been taken badly if someone who’s grieving snaps at you. Just say sorry.”
8. Keep trying
“It’s better to make mistakes through trying words of sympathy, than not being there for someone because you are afraid,” says Annie.
“Avoiding them will hurt them far more.”
9. Break your fear of upsetting someone
“People can back off from talking about bereavement, because they don’t want to ‘remind’ the person of their grief,” says Annie.
“But remember, when you are thinking about words of comfort for the bereaved, they already are upset. Fear of upsetting someone is a personal fear that you have to break.”
10. Remember there’s no time limit on grief
Composure and a lack of tears doesn’t mean someone’s ‘doing well.’
“That’s your interpretation of someone’s emotions,” says Annie. “Instead, consider how they might appreciate conversation or company.
“Do they feel they are coping, or maybe struggling with things you could help them with? It can be hard for people who have been bereaved to ask a favor or to take someone up on their offer of ‘if there’s anything I can do…’ so it’s important to find out what they need, when you are thinking about what to say when someone dies.”
11. Take risks
“When you are thinking about things to say when someone dies, it’s about being brave enough not to take it personally if someone gets upset with you and trusting they will tell you if they don’t want to talk about it,” says Annie.
“That’s easier for someone who has been bereaved to do, than to ask you to please, please talk about it.”
12. Keep in touch
“The later it is, the more important it is to be there for someone,” says Annie.
“After a funeral, the support can gradually – or suddenly – go away and the person is isolated.
“The person’s death that was devastating to everyone for a moment, is still devastating for them, now. Keeping in regular touch and asking things like, ‘What’s life like now?’ and ‘How are you coping?’ is really important.”
by 0010272312 • 04 Jul, 2022
After the death of a loved one, returning to work may feel like the last thing you want to do. Though some people prefer to return quickly to get back into a routine, a lot of grieving people struggle to get back into their professional lives.
Make sure your co-workers are prepared
You will probably have been in contact with your boss or HR department after the death of your loved one. Before you return to work, you may want to discuss whether or not to inform your co-workers about what has happened.
Making sure they know can help you avoid any awkward questions that might be upsetting. You could also ask your manager to ask your co-workers to not mention the death of your loved one, if that is want you want. Or, you could tell your manager that you would prefer if people didn’t ignore the issue. They can then pass along this information and make the process less uncomfortable for you.
Plan for small talk
The workplace is full of small talk. Questions like, “How are you?” or “What have you been up to?” might seem normal to everyone else, but for you they might feel impossible to answer.
Think up or even jot down a few standard replies that will deflect the conversation away from anything too painful. Think about conversation topics that might be hard for you and think about how you could steer the conversation away from them. Asking people questions about their own lives is an easy way to turn focus away from you if you don’t want to discuss personal matters.
Develop strategies for staying focused
Grief often has a huge impact on your ability to concentrate. Even the smallest project may feel like an impossible task. Your attention span may be shorter and you may find yourself easily distracted and forgetful.
Even if you’ve never needed things like to-do lists and personal organisers, now might be the time to start. Classic time management tricks like breaking jobs down into smaller tasks and having a short break every hour can help you feel less distracted during the working day.
Find a quiet place to be alone
Prepare yourself for the fact that you may get overwhelmed and start to cry or panic. When this happens, it can be really helpful to have a place to go where you can be alone.
If you’re not fortunate enough to have a private work space, you could go to the bathroom, find an empty meeting room, or go outside for some fresh air. If none of these are an option, talk to your manager to work out where you can go for a break if you need to.
Forgive yourself for your mistakes
Juggling work with the demands of grief is difficult at the best of times. Between your emotions, lack of concentration, and work-related stress, you may make mistakes. Your work might not be as of high a standard as before your loved one died.
Neither you nor your manager should expect you to be back to peak performance straight away. You could double-check your work or ask a co-worker to check it for you, but don’t put pressure on yourself to be perfect. It will take time for you to return to the routine of working life.
Keep talking to your manager or employer
Communicating with HR, your manager or employer is vital in the days and weeks after you return to work. If they are good at managing their employees, they will want to check in with you and make sure you are coping.
Even if they don’t set up a meeting to see how you are doing, make sure you let them know if anything could be improved. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to ask for extra help if you need it.
by 0010272312 • 09 Jan, 2022
Relatively few people spend their last hours at home nowadays, with the majority of deaths occurring in hospitals, hospices and care homes. However, opting to die at home, in a familiar environment surrounded by close friends and family, is still a perfectly valid choice for anyone making their final preparations for the event.
Regulations for dying at home
The most important regulation to be aware of is that if the deceased has not seen their GP in the 14 days preceding the death, or has not seen by their GP immediately afterwards, then the case has to be referred to the coroner.
Unfortunately, this requirement can be difficult to satisfy. If the person is very weak and frail then it may not be possible for them to make it to their doctor’s surgery, and arranging a home visit can prove unfeasible. Leaving it until they have actually died involves taking a risk, as if they pass away outside surgery hours – in the middle of the night or on a weekend – the surgery can easily send a different doctor, so the case will still be referred to the coroner.
The official process
If the deceased has not seen their GP in the fourteen days before their death, and the GP is not available immediately afterwards, then whoever does sign the death certificate will usually summon the police, who have a responsibility to make enquiries about all deaths which occur outside medical supervision.
They are likely to ask those who were with the deceased a few questions about the death, and then they will get the duty undertakers (the family has no say over which company performs this role) to deliver the body to the morgue at the local hospital, where the coroner will then deliver the verdict. There is the possibility, which will be distressing to some relatives, that a post-mortem may be performed if there is anything to investigate further. Only once this process has been completed are families allowed to get an undertaker of their choosing to collect the body from the morgue and make the funeral arrangements.
It is important to be prepared for this process, as otherwise it can seem immensely distressing to relatives who have been recently bereaved. Fortunately, as long as sufficient preparations have been taken, it is possible to make arrangements to avoid it.
by 0010272312 • 09 Jan, 2022
No doubt one of the biggest changes that funeral directors have witnessed in the past few decades is the transition from Victorian style funerals to present day funerals which are much more relaxed and open to personalisation.
While in the past many aspects of a funeral would be dictated by religious customs and social norms, there is today a great deal of freedom to be had when it comes to tailoring a funeral to your specific requirements.
That isn’t to say that religion cannot play a role in a funeral, and that traditional values are no longer respected, but there is a lot more freedom to customise your own funeral the way you would like it to be. Funerals today range from elaborate to simple and religious to non-religious and provided that you have informed someone of your wishes through a will or through a funeral plan , you should be able to be remembered in the way that you want to be remembered.
Breaking the Norms
One of the first aspects of a funeral that can be personalised is your final resting place. While traditionally burials were the most popular choice, today cremation has overtaken this with around 75% of people choosing cremation over burial. But, there are a wider range of options available too. Increasingly, many people are becoming concerned by the environmental impact of funerals and are opting to choose an eco-burial where natural materials are used for a coffin that are biodegradable so will have less of an impact on the environment.
If you decide that you would like to be buried or cremated and would like a coffin then modern day coffins are highly customisable. You may be able to choose specific patterns and motifs such as the colours of your favourite sports team, a musical note, a favourite bird, or a religious symbol. You can also change the materials and even the colour of your coffin to something that you approve of.
It’s not just your resting place that you can adjust either. When it comes to your service you may decide to have your funeral take place in a religious building or a non-religious building. You might wish to ask mourners to wear black, as was traditionally expected, or you may instead decide that you would like everyone to wear the brightest colours they can find, to lighten the mood of the service. You might ask mourners to bring traditional flower arrangements, or instead donate money to a charity close to your heart instead.
While traditionally hymns and sermons would be read out at a funeral, you can instead have non-religious readings or poems to be delivered and have a special piece of music played – your favourite song, or just a song that you feel is fitting for your funeral.
by 0010272312 • 09 Jan, 2022
Clegg Funeral Blog
by 0010272312 • 09 Jan, 2022
The latest funeral music survey found that while the most popular songs played at funerals in 2022 were largely sentimental , there was still room for humour - but hymns were getting less and less popular. The main themes seem to be the notions of saying goodbye but not farewell, of defiance and hope rather than solemnity and pity.
The top five funeral music from 2016 were:
• My Way - Frank Sinatra (the hardy perennial)
• Time To Say Goodbye - Sarah Brightman/Andrea Bocelli, or Katherine Jenkins (operatic hit)
• Over The Rainbow - Eva Cassidy (posthumous Wizard Of Oz hit)
• Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midle r (‘Didn’t you know that you’re my hero?’)
• The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) (the highest placed hymn)
The number one from 2022, Monty Python’s “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life”, was still hanging in there in the top 10, and remains the top pop choice for the over-50s , followed by Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven”.
Are pop songs becoming more popular than hymns?
According to Alison Crake, president of the National Association of Funeral Directors, popular music is "certainly becoming more commonplace" at funerals, with funerals today becoming “as much a celebration of life as a farewell, and are becoming increasingly personalised."
And logically, if funerals are increasingly a ‘celebration of life’ rather than a sombre occasion, it is not hard to see why pop songs are overtaking hymns in popularity, with just 12 per cent of those aged 50 to 54 choosing a hymn, compared to one in four over-65s.
More modern pop songs that are gaining in use include Adele’s “Hello” and Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again”, with Robbie Williams’ “Angels” still a popular funeral song.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
In Nick Hornby’s book “High Fidelity”, the hero Rob lists his “Songs I would like to have sung at my funeral”.
Telegraph Financial Services asked a selection of people to answer the same question, and here are some of the replies:
“Ashes to Ashes by David Bowie. I am going to be burned at the moment, so seems pretty apt.” (Mark, Swansea)
“I would rather be cremated, ashes dropped into The Thames upstream so they can be carried by the river through London and then everyone goes and listens to The Kinks "Waterloo Sunset" on Waterloo Bridge at sunset and waves a farewell to my earthly remains.” (Kaisa, Hackney)
“Groove is in the heart by Deee-lite. It's one of my favourite songs and people would be 'yup, that's Alison.' Also I don't want people to be too sad.” (Alison, Illinois)
“It would have to be The Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd but I would want it synced up perfectly with the coffin going into the flames as the major wailing starts.” (James, Norwich)
And this unexpected twist:
“I sang at a funeral that the deceased had planned themselves. At the end, two pieces were listed with Latin titles, the organist duly began to play the first - the intro to the Toccata in D minor attributed to Bach... He abruptly stopped and it turns out the second title was "Bat Out of Hell" which blasted out as the coffin receded. It was brilliant." (Catharine, London)
Famous people’s funeral songs: From Prince to Carrie Fisher
Funeral songs in films
While the first that springs to mind might be “Bye Bye Baby” in ‘Love Actually’, 20 years earlier there was a memorable scene in Roger Moore’s first outing as James Bond. In ‘Live And Let Die’, the band playing the funeral dirge “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” switches seamlessly into an uptempo New Orleans jazz tune “Second Line”, as an MI6 agent is assassinated on the spot and slipped into the empty coffin.
by 0010272312 • 09 Jan, 2022
Clegg funeral blog crosby
by 0010272312 • 09 Jan, 2022
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by 0010272312 • 08 Dec, 2022
A condolence message is a way of expressing your sympathies to a grieving friend or family after the death of a loved one. Sending a note or letter offering some words of condolence will let them know that you are thinking about them during their difficult time, which can offer some comfort.
Sending a message can also be an opportunity to offer help and support, if you are able, as well as share happy memories of their loved one.
Getting started
If you’re not used to writing, especially about sensitive topics, it can be difficult to know where to start with a condolence message. Try practising on scrap paper first if you are unsure of what to say.
Below is a rough layout of how your letter or card could be ordered. This is a basic layout that you could use for a condolence message, but there is no set structure you have to follow.
• Start with “Dear…” If you are writing to a family, try to include every family member’s name.
• Start the message by offering your condolences. This is where you tell them that you are sorry for their loss. You can phrase this in various ways, as you see fit. If unsure, you could say “I was so sorry to hear about your loss” or “I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your father.”
• Mention a few good qualities of their loved one.
• Share a memory or story about that person. Grieving families can find great comfort in hearing new stories about their loved ones, so don’t be afraid to share cherished memories, as long as they are appropriate. It might be the first time you met, or the last time you saw them, or just a time when they really helped you out.
• Offer support if you can. If you are able and willing to offer any kind of support in the coming weeks and months, you can say so in your condolence message. For example, you might offer to help with specific tasks such as cooking, gardening or looking after children, or you might simply say, “If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”
• You may want to mention the funeral. If your letter will reach the family before the funeral, you may want to confirm whether or not you are going. If you are writing the letter after the funeral, you could say what a fitting tribute it was. If you did not attend the funeral, you could make your apologies by saying something like: “Please accept my apologies for not being able to attend the funeral.”
• Sign off with an appropriate message. An appropriate sign-off could be something like “with sympathy”, “with caring thoughts” or “our sincere sympathy”. If you are close to the bereaved, signing off with “lots of love” or “all my love” may be more appropriate.
Other things to bear in mind
Sample condolence messages
Below are two sample condolence messages in order to help you write yours. These messages are not real and all names are made up for the purposes of showing an example. The first one is from a close family friend to a bereaved family with younger children, the second is from an acquaintance who did not know the person who had passed away very well.
Sample 1
“Dear Sam, James and Alice,
I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Eleanor’s passing and all my thoughts are with you. I find it difficult to express how much we shall all miss her.
Ellie was such a bright, confident woman. People use the expression ‘light up the room’ all the time, but she really did bring light and happiness with her everywhere she went. She was one of the most caring and compassionate people I have ever met – and such a sense of humour too!
I remember when I first met Ellie. We sat next to each other at work and became friends instantly. She used to make me laugh like no one else could and always managed to calm me down when I’d had a stressful day.
The funeral was a wonderful tribute to her life. She would have loved the beautiful flower arrangements. If you speak to Anthony, please pass on my thanks for such a beautiful eulogy. I think he really captured Ellie’s spirit and personality.
Please remember that I am always here if you need me to look after James and Alice, I am more than happy to. Just give me a call.
With love and caring thoughts, Elizabeth.”
Sample 2
“Dear Dorothy,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your husband, Albert. I know how deeply you loved and admired him; all our thoughts are with you.
William and I will be coming to the funeral next Wednesday to pay our respects, although unfortunately we will not be able to stay for the wake.
Again, deepest sympathies for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and hearts.
With sympathy,
Alison.”
by 0010272312 • 08 Dec, 2022
More and more people are embracing unusual and poignant ideas for funerals. Unique personalised touches can be a fitting way to say goodbye to someone special.
Or you may be looking ahead to your own funeral. Communicating your funeral wishes to family members will help them when the time comes, as well as offering you a chance to decide how you wish to be remembered.
Here are 10 unusual and thoughtful funeral ideas that may inspire you, for your loved one’s funeral or your own.
If I Should Go Tomorrow – Unknown
If I should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye,
For I have left my heart with you,
So don't you ever cry.
The love that's deep within me,
Shall reach you from the stars,
You'll feel it from the heavens,
And it will heal the scars.
The Star – Unknown
A light went out on Earth for me
The day we said goodbye
And on that day a star was born,
The brightest in the sky
Reaching through the darkness
With its rays of purest white
Lighting up the Heavens
As it once lit up my life
With beams of love to heal
The broken heart you left behind
Where always in my memory
Your lovely star will shine
You’ve Just Walked On Ahead of Me – Joyce Grenfell
And I’ve got to understand
You must release the ones you love
And let go of their hand.
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 slips into mine.
Don’t Cry For Me – Unknown
Don't cry for me now I have died, for I'm still here I'm by your side,
My body's gone but my soul is here, please don't shed another tear,
I am still here, I'm all around, only my body lies in the ground.
I am the snowflake that kisses your nose,
I am the frost that nips your toes.
I am the sun, bringing you light,
I am the star, shining so bright.
I am the rain, refreshing the earth,
I am the laughter, I am the mirth.
I am the bird, up in the sky,
I am the cloud, that's drifting by.
I am the thoughts, inside your head,
While I'm still there, I can't be dead.
As long as hearts remember
As long as hearts still care
We do not part with those we love
They're with us everywhere
If I Should Die – Joyce Grenfell
If I should die 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.
Warm Summer Sun – Mark Twain
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.
Those We Love – Unknown
Those we love don't go away;
They walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard but always near.
Sill loved, still missed, and very dear.
Wishing us hope in the midst of sorrow,
Offering comfort in the midst of pain, both today and tomorrow
One Thought to Keep – Unknown
I give you this one thought to keep.
I am with you still. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on the 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 think of me as gone.
I am with you still in each new dawn.
Love Shines Through – Unknown
Like a shadow in the moonlight
Like the whisper of the seas
Like the echoes of a melody
Just beyond our reach
In the shadow of our sorrow
Past the whisper of goodbye
Love shines through eternity
A heartbeat from our eye
Funeral hymns are an important part of any funeral service, bringing comfort and reassurance to those in attendance. Funeral hymns can help celebrate the life
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Writing a sympathy card or funeral flower message isn’t always easy. When suffering a loss, it can feel difficult to find exactly the right words
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Finding the perfect funeral poem isn’t easy. A written tribute should speak from the heart and capture the essence of who your dad really was.
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