Death is not an easy subject for anyone to discuss or cope
with. Often your emotions are so stirred up that it can be very
difficult to come up with words of condolence for those that
need them. Sometime you find yourself not saying anything at all
and that can be even worse than saying the wrong thing. Poems
can be the perfect way to get across what you want to say.
Memorial service poems can actually put everyone more at ease
during a funeral or memorial service.

Grieving family and friends want others to remember their loved
one's life and acknowledge them. Seeing a life celebrated and
hearing words of sympathy and celebration from others often
helps them move through their own grief journey. The right
memorial service poetry can really set the mood for the whole
ceremony. Written words can be much more effective than spoken
condolences at reaching a grieving person's heart. Simple and
soothing words acknowledging a loss, accompanied by a meaningful
sympathy or condolence poem can touch a heart like nothing else
can.

Having a memorial poem or poetry to look back upon can really
be an emotional strengthener. A poem can be about the life of
the one who has passed or just kind words. The memorial poem
could be about an event in the loved one's life or just loving
words of a close friend. Often these mementos are kept for many
years, framed for the family or left at the gravesite as a
reminder of the deceased.

There are numerous memorial service, condolence and sympathy
poems written and easily available. Poems ranging from heartfelt
and sad to lighthearted and even funny have been written by
amateur and professional poetry writers to put words to the
feelings that are expressed after someone has died. If you are
asked to speak at a memorial or funeral service and are having a
difficult time writing down how this loss has made you or the
family feel, consider including a poem in your tribute.

To add a poem to your eulogy or condolence letter, first you
must consider who the person was and what they would have
appreciated or enjoyed read. If the person who passed enjoyed
the outdoors, maybe a memorial poem with colorful forest or
nature-like imagery would speak to the audience, and properly
pay tribute to the lost loved one. If the deceased was a
practical joker or light-hearted individual, maybe a poem that
incorporates a bit of humor would remind their family of what a
happy spirit that individual was.

Look at your local bookstore for poetry books that have
memorial or condolence poems included or search online for
posted poetry. Poems can range in topics and styles – flowery or
overly-dramatic poetry is not the only option available. Many
families and friends choose to write their own poems or essays
about the deceased to have read at memorial services or posted
on online memorial sites. This is a great way for those that are
able to express their feelings on paper to do so and share those
words to help heal the grief experienced by other family members
as well.

Using poetry to help with grief, to express love or pain and to
memorialize a friend or family member is very powerful and will
be appreciated by others who have experienced a loss.

~ Ben Anton, 2008


About The Author: For more information on setting up an online
memorial tribute, visit http://www.valleyoflife.com.