Home › Funeral poems › Short Funeral Poems and Verses

Short Funeral Poems and Verses

Short verses are often the most powerful — they fit on a memorial card, a headstone, a wreath ribbon, or the back of an order-of-service booklet, and they are gentle on a reader whose voice may break. Most of these are original verses written for this collection; a few are very old public-domain lines. Keep in mind that engraving costs are usually charged by the letter or line, so a short verse is also the most affordable choice for a headstone — ask your monument maker for their per-character rate, as it varies between suppliers and stone types. When choosing, read the verse aloud once: if it can be spoken in a single calm breath or two, it will carry well at a graveside.

A Light Remembered

A candle does not curse the dark;

it simply gives its light.

You were our candle, and you burn

still, gentle, in the night.

Original poem composed for this collection (no copyright restrictions).

Not Gone

Those we love don't go away;

they walk beside us every day —

unseen, unheard, but always near,

still loved, still missed, and held so dear.

Traditional / public domain — anonymous verse of unknown, pre-modern origin, long in common use with no known living author or rights holder. Safe to read or print.

Rest

Lay down the work, lay down the day,

lay down the weight you bore;

the road was long, the welcome warm —

rest now, and ache no more.

Original poem composed for this collection (no copyright restrictions).

Small Grace

We had you for a little while,

and that was grace enough;

the love you gave does not run out —

it only changes form.

Original poem composed for this collection (no copyright restrictions). Gentle for the loss of a child or a short life; adjust 'little while' as needed.

Until

Not goodbye, but go in peace;

not the end, but rest;

not forgotten, never that —

only loved, and blessed.

Original poem composed for this collection (no copyright restrictions). Works well as a closing line on a memorial card.

An Epitaph

Here lies one who lived with love,

who gave more than was owed;

the world was kinder for the steps

they took along the road.

Original poem composed for this collection (no copyright restrictions). Suitable for engraving; short enough to keep stonemason costs low.

Evening

The day is done, the lamp is low,

the long work laid aside;

sleep softly now, beloved one,

in peace, and satisfied.

Original poem composed for this collection (no copyright restrictions).

← All funeral poems