However, the poem was only first formally published in the December 1934 issue of The Gypsy poetry magazine where it was titled 'Immortality', with the author as Clare Harner (1909–1977) from Kansas. Mary Elizabeth Frye (1905-2004), a florist from Baltimore, MD claimed to have composed this poem in 1932 in a moment of inspiration to comfort a family friend who had just lost her mother and was unable to even visit her grave. Written in the 1930's, it was repopularized during the late 1970s thanks to a reading by John Wayne at a funeral.

There are in existence many slightly different versions of the poem. This extremely famous poem has been read at countless funerals and public occasions. 'Do not stand at my grave and weep' is the first line and popular title of this bereavement poem of disputed authorship. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again! One brief moment and all will be as it was before. I am but waiting for you, for an interval, Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? What is this death but a negligible accident? There is absolute and unbroken continuity. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. I have only slipped away into the next room.Īnd the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. The sermon, titled, 'Death the King of Terrors' was preached while the body of King Edward VII was lying in state at Westminster.

Paul's Cathedral of London, did not intend it as a poem, it was actually delivered as part of a sermon in 1910. The author, Henry Scott-Holland (1847 - 1918), a priest at St. Use these poems to help you say goodbye to a dear friend who will be greatly missed.' 12 Friend Funeral Poems - Tributes For A Friend's Funeral From short poems for funerals to longer, more personal tributes, you'll find the perfect poem to express your love and grief. Looking for the perfect words to honor a dear friend who has passed away? Our collection of memorial poems includes poems for eulogies, speeches, and tributes. What these cultures all have in common is the desire to mark the importance of the individual's life and to mourn for the loss of the departed. Eulogies may be said in honor of the departed. Some traditions have people who are designated wailers who are there to help people cry. In other cultures, the body is put into the ground itself without a coffin. In some cultures the body is cremated and the ashes may be kept in an urn. There are many traditions from around the world that determine what a funeral looks like.

The lost words poems