Funeral ceremonies for saying goodbye to a loved one have changed a lot in recent years and no longer follow the strict traditions of yesteryear. More and more often, a funeral is focused on remembering the deceased and honouring them with memories, anecdotes and sometimes even touching verses. For such occasions, Stelae would like to offer you a selection of poems to commemorate a loved one who has passed away.
Poems to remember a loved one: a way of paying tribute
When we cannot find the words at funerals to show how we feel, to express our grief, to honour a person as they deserve, and to remember their life, people often turn to poetry as a way of paying tribute to a loved one who has passed away.
In these verses we will often find the words we have difficulty in expressing ourselves. They help to capture our feelings in a beautiful and moving way.
If we are trying to find the right words to use when scattering ashes but it is a struggle to find them, these poems can be used as a wonderful way to share our feelings.
The power of poetry in the bereavement process
Poems tend to convey emotions that we can identify with when a loved one dies. Our own feelings that we find difficult to express can be reflected in them, and they help us find comfort and understanding.
This assists us through the grieving process and makes it easier to get through this difficult time after the death of a loved one.
Classic poems: popular choices for remembering a loved one
There are many texts that can be used to remember a deceased loved one in the world of literature and poetry. From Pedro Salinas in ‘La voz a ti debida’ to Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer in ‘Rimas y leyendas’ we can find plenty of authors who have written poems to remember a loved one. We can identify with them and they help us to remember our deceased loved ones, as well as to express the pain we feel for their loss.
Texts to remember a deceased loved one: sincere and touching alternatives
When it comes to paying a sincere and touching tribute to a deceased loved one, selecting loving phrases may be the best way to convey how we feel about that person.
Phrases of love and farewell: a personal touch
With phrases of love and farewell we express the deep love we feel for a deceased loved one and also convey the special bond that was shared. In this sense, it is important to choose expressions that others attending the ceremony can associate with the person to whom you are paying tribute.
It is also important to include words or phrases that offer comfort when remembering a loved one who has passed away. For example: ‘you will always be in our hearts’ or ‘your love will guide us’. This also serves to reflect the essence of that person and keeps their memory alive in the words we choose to say goodbye to them.
How to choose the right poem or text to remember a loved one
Choosing texts or poems to remember a loved one is a very personal thing and it should be meaningful in a way that reflects the bond that united you. Not all poems that have been written to remember a loved one are the same: some are addressed to a mother, others to a grandparent, others to a partner. They are all slightly different, although similar feelings and emotions can be identified in them.
Style choices: poetry or prose, formal or more personal?
The style of the texts used to remember a deceased loved one is one of the most important things to think about in this regard.
Poetry or prose? Rhyme and rhythm are characteristics of poems, as is their profound nature, and this makes them more likely to reflect intense emotions. Prose, on the other hand, allows memories and feelings to be expressed in a more narrative and detailed format.
Tone is another essential aspect. If we opt for a more formal text, we are likely to transmit respect and solemnity. However, if we favour a more personal text, we are able to reflect the essence of our loved one, share anecdotes and experiences and add intimacy to our words, thus creating a more meaningful tribute which, in a farewell ceremony, can contribute to the emotion of the act.
Poems and texts in different cultures and religions: what they represent
The words spoken at a farewell ceremony for a loved one may vary according to culture or religion. Texts, in these cases, take on a different symbolic value.
The role of poems in Christian traditions
In the Christian tradition, memorial texts and poems are used to express faith and hope in the afterlife, but also to find words of comfort. These verses often speak of redemption, sacrifice and divine love, and are always set against a spiritual background based on religious beliefs.
Poems in the context of Buddhism and other spiritual philosophies
In other religions such as Buddhism and other spiritual philosophies, the texts for remembering a deceased loved one are often meditative, with main themes including a connection to nature or inner peace. This allows family members to find serenity, harmony and understanding, as well as some relief when facing the death of a loved one.
