Bereaved Poems & Prose
Many bereaved parents find it helpful to share their experiences with others and to hear from parents in similar positions to themselves.
As part of this process, Our Grieving Hearts is building a collection of stories, meaningful poetry or prose that have helped you or others through the grieving process. Bereaved poems such as this can be an excellent tool in connecting with others’. As well as personal reflection, the meaningful words of poems for the bereaved make powerful readings for funerals.
These poems remind us that while life may change forever, memories endure. By sharing and reading grieving poems, families and friends can find comfort in knowing that love continues to live on through cherished words.
Lewis’ Poem
Yet no such trace where you should be,
long for you to hold my hand,
Wherever I am, come find me.
Each raindrop bites like piercing stone,
And through the haze, I fight, I flee,
But if you’re here I’m, not alone,
When I call your name, come find me.
You are the sun’s embracing glow,
The shadow cast behind each tree,
I feel you in the winds that blow,
When I need you near, come find me.
You are the swift and bracing rush
Of crashing waves that break at sea,
You whisper through the twilight’s hush,
When I hear your voice, come find me.
My footprints trail from where I stand,
Yet no such trace I need to see,
To know you’re here to hold my hand,
Wherever I am, you’re with me.
Author: Rachel Mead & Charlotte Toms
Lewis Fraser died aged 17 on 19 April 2010 from Diabetic Ketoacidosis. This poem was written by two of his friends also aged 17.
Poem for my Mum
Growing each day as your love cradled me.
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4,
As the days went by I loved you even more.
When you felt the first kicks I saw your beautiful smile,
The thought we would be meeting in such a little while!
We have finally met, I’m wrapped up warm and cosy.
I stared at your brown curly hair your cheeks all rosy.
Blinking softly as you gave me tiny kisses,
I want to be with you forever, over a thousand wishes.
Time goes by, why are you sad Mummy?
I’m a part of you now, there’s no need to worry.
I never went away and I never will.
My wish came true! I am here with you still.
Now I’m luck enough to be living in your heart,
The warmest most beautiful place, we’ll never be apart.
Author: Jessica
Little Butterfly
Cocooned in all your love
So mama, papa, please don’t cry
I’m still with you, just up above
I felt your every heartbeat
It’s my sweetest melody
And for every heavenly bedtime
The Angels play it back to me
I know how much that I am wanted
I feel so very blessed
Of all the mummy’s in all the world
I got the very best!
You think of me in all your waking hours,
And on those sleepless nights
Just look out the window and you’ll find me
The brightest star, the most dazzling light
I’m that little breeze in the summer
And I’m that unexpected white feather
I plucked it from my downy wings
So that you remember we are always together
I know how much It hurt your soul
When we had to say goodbye
But I’m not gone, i’m always here
I’m your sweet little butterfly.
Author: Amy Farquhar
Too Soon
That had hardly begun
No time to find Your place in the sun
No time to do
All you could have done
But we loved you enough for a lifetime.
No time to enjoy
The world and its wealth
No time to take life
Down off the shelf
No time to sing
The song of yourself
Though you had enough love for a lifetime.
Those who live long
Endure sadness and tears
But you’ll never suffer
The sorrowing years:
No betrayal, no anger,
No hated, no fears,
Just love – only love – in your lifetime.
Author: Mary Yarnell 1955
Bereaved Poems: Words of Comfort in Times of Loss
The Cord
My child and I, by
An invisible cord
Not seen by the eye.
It’s not like the cord
That connects us ’til birth
This cord can’t been seen
By any on Earth.
This cord does it’s work
Right from the start.
It binds us together
Attached to my heart.
I know that it’s there
Though no one can see
The invisible cord
From my child to me.
The strength of this cord
Is hard to describe.
It can’t be destroyed
It can’t be denied.
It’s stronger than any cord
Man could create
It withstands the test
Can hold any weight.
And though you are gone,
Though you’re not here with me,
The cord is still there
But no one can see.
It pulls at my heart
I am bruised…I am sore,
But this cord is my lifeline
As never before.
I am thankful that God
Connects us this way
A mother and child
Death can’t take it away!
Author: Unknown
Fly
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven’s love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again
Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this memory bittersweet
Until we meet
Fly, fly do not fear
Don’t waste a breath, don’t shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don’t wait for me
Above the universe you’ll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won’t forget
Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light
and Phil Galdston
‘Fly” is a touching ballad made famous by Celine Dion that serves as a tribute to Dion’s niece, Karine, who passed away from cystic fibrosis. The song is a quiet reflection on loss, love, and the hope that those we lose find peace beyond this life.