Poetry is often used at funerals for a few different reasons: for one, it provides comfort to the grieving; two, it provides solace to those that need it; and three, it will help to remind those left behind that although they have lost someone that they love, they can always remember and look back on their time together as something to be cherished, not mourned. Poetry has been used for centuries as a way to express feelings about dying, death, grieving and emotional pain. It has also been used for centuries during funeral services, as a way to comfort those who have lost a loved one, who are grieving, as well as one way to help memorialize the deceased through poetry and artistic expression. People may even choose to recite poems which were particularly enjoyed by the person that has passed, although popular funeral poems are often used because they are “proven” to really capture the emotions and feelings people have when they are going through a period of grief and sorrow.
Some people believe the most difficult deaths anyone can experience is the death of a child. A child has not lived out their life—they have not had children or families of their own, they have not experienced all the wonderful things they were hoping to do, and they did not get to go out into the world and live life to its fullest extent. Many people are often seriously affected by the death of a child. Parents, older siblings, relatives, neighbors, friends, teachers—the death of a child causes widespread sorrow, grief and pity for the child who will never get to grow up. Because the death of a child is often so difficult for those left behind, who may find it hard to find comfort in a life cut so short, many people turn to artistic expression to help them through such a terrible time. Poetry is often used at funeral services for children because it can help those left behind to overcome—at least for a little bit—their pain. The following are some of the most common poems used at funerals for children.
My Little Angel by an Anonymous Author
You’ve just walked on ahead of me
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 slip into mine.
The above poem is a poignant expression of how many parents feel about their children—that they are angels, sent from heaven, who although they have passed, will be met again in another life. Most funeral poems intended for the death of children share a similar sentiment, which is comforting to those that hope their children are now in a better place.
