Most funerals include one or two readings. They might be from the Bible, a poem the person loved, or a piece that the family feel says something about them. A reading usually sits between the welcome and the eulogy, or between hymns, and is often given by a grandchild, a close friend or a relative who would find it too hard to speak in their own words.
How to choose a reading
Start by asking whether the person had a favourite. Some people leave instructions, or mention a poem they liked at another funeral. If not, think about what they were like and what the service will feel like. A traditional church funeral suits a psalm or a passage from the Bible. A humanist or celebration-of-life service might suit a gentler or lighter poem.
Talk to the minister or celebrant before you decide. They will know what fits the service, and some ministers prefer at least one reading from the Bible. Also ask whoever is giving the eulogy what they plan to say, so the reading and the eulogy don't cover the same ground.
Religious readings
These two passages from the King James Version of the Bible are among the most familiar readings at UK funerals.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Other Bible readings often chosen:
- John 14:1-6 - Jesus tells his followers not to be troubled, and speaks of many rooms in his Father's house.
- 1 Corinthians 13 - the passage about love, also read at many weddings.
- Romans 8:38-39 - a short passage saying that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
- Psalm 121 - a short psalm about God watching over us, which begins with lifting up our eyes to the hills.
Non-religious poems
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
- Death is nothing at all, Henry Scott Holland - from a sermon, written as if the person who has died is speaking and asking people to carry on as normal. It is read at religious and non-religious services.
- Do not stand at my grave and weep - a short poem telling mourners the person lives on in nature. It is often credited to Mary Elizabeth Frye, but the authorship is disputed.
- Funeral Blues, W. H. Auden - a poem of raw grief, widely known since the film Four Weddings and a Funeral.
- She is Gone, David Harkins - asks mourners to remember the life that was lived. It can be read as "He is Gone".
For a parent or grandparent
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Tennyson wrote this late in his life. It is often chosen for someone who lived a long life, and for anyone who loved the sea or sailing. Other ideas for a parent or grandparent:
- Do not go gentle into that good night, Dylan Thomas - written for his father. It is angry and moving, and suits someone who was a fighter.
- Requiem, Robert Louis Stevenson - a very short poem he wrote as his own epitaph, often read for someone who loved the outdoors.
- Warning, Jenny Joseph - about an older woman who plans to stop behaving as expected. It suits a nan or mum with a sense of fun.
Short readings
If the person reading is nervous, or time at the crematorium is tight, a short poem is a good choice. Requiem, Crossing the Bar and Do not stand at my grave and weep take well under a minute to read. Remember and Funeral Blues take about a minute.
Light-hearted readings
Some families want a reading that brings a smile, particularly at a celebration of life.
- If I should go, Joyce Grenfell - asks people to grieve, but then to carry on and be happy.
- Warning, Jenny Joseph - funny and warm, and well known to many people in the room.
- Death is nothing at all, Henry Scott Holland - gentle, and asks people to laugh at the jokes they always shared.
A funny passage from the person's favourite book, or a few lines from a song they loved, can work too. Check with the celebrant first.
How to introduce and read one
A sentence of introduction helps people understand why the reading was chosen. For example: "Grandad kept a copy of this poem in his wallet for fifty years." Then say the title and the author, and begin.
- Print the reading in a large font and put it in a folder, so you aren't holding a loose sheet.
- Practise it aloud several times, including the words you might trip over, such as "bourne" or "vestige".
- Read more slowly than feels natural. Pause at the end of each verse.
- At the end, pause for a moment, then return to your seat. You don't need to say anything else.
Timing
Most people read aloud at around 130 words a minute, and a little slower at a funeral. Psalm 23 and each of the poems printed on this page take about a minute. A longer passage of prose may take two or three minutes. If you're fitting readings around a eulogy in a set time slot, our page on how long a eulogy should be can help you plan.
If you'd like the readings printed, see our guide to the funeral order of service. For short tributes and words at the wake, see funeral speeches.
Common questions
What is the most popular reading at a UK funeral?
Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd") is one of the most often chosen readings at religious funerals. For non-religious services, Henry Scott Holland's "Death is nothing at all" and "Do not stand at my grave and weep" are both widely used.
How long should a funeral reading be?
Most readings take between one and two minutes to read slowly. At a crematorium, where time is limited, one or two short readings alongside the eulogy is usually enough.
Can I read a poem at a church funeral that isn't religious?
Often you can, but ask the minister first. Many are happy to include a non-religious poem alongside a Bible reading, and some prefer readings to come from the Bible. It's better to check before you practise.
Can I print the words of a poem in the order of service?
You can print poems that are out of copyright, such as the four printed on this page. Modern poems may still be in copyright, so ask your funeral director before you print them.
What if I get upset while reading?
Stop, take a breath and carry on when you're ready. Nobody will mind the wait. Ask someone to sit near the front with a spare copy, so they can finish it for you if you need them to.