Introduction to Our Curated List of Funeral Poems for Mum

At Respect Funeral Services, we understand the profound loss of a beloved mother and the importance of honouring her memory with words that resonate deeply. 

Our carefully curated list of 20 funeral poems for Mum offers a heartfelt selection to help you express love, grief, and cherished memories during this difficult time. 

Whether you’re seeking mum poems for funerals that are poignant and reflective, non-religious funeral poems for Mum to suit a secular service, or even funny funeral poems for Mum to celebrate her unique spirit with a smile, this collection includes a variety of tones and styles. 

From classic verses to modern tributes, each poem for Mum’s funeral is chosen to provide comfort and capture the enduring bond you shared.

We hope these mum poems for a funeral bring solace and inspiration as you plan a meaningful farewell. 
For personalised support in arranging a funeral that truly reflects your mother’s life, please contact Respect Funeral Services directly. Our compassionate team is here to guide you every step of the way.

If Roses Grow in Heaven (By Dolores M. Garcia)

A tender request to deliver love to Mum in heaven. Funeral poems for mum 1/20.

If roses grow in heaven,

  Lord, please pick a bunch for me.

Place them in my Mother’s arms

  and tell her they’re from me.

Tell her that I love her and miss her,

  and when she turns to smile,

Place a kiss upon her cheek

  and hold her for a while.

Because remembering her is easy,

  I do it every day,

But there’s an ache within my heart

  that will never go away.

We Had a Wonderful Mother (Author Unknown)

Celebrates Mum’s timeless love and golden heart. Funeral poems for mum 2/20.

We had a wonderful mother,

  One who never really grew old;

Her smile was made of sunshine,

  And her heart was solid gold;

Her eyes were as bright as shining stars,

  And in her cheeks fair roses you see.

We had a wonderful mother,

  And that’s the way it will always be.

But take heed, because

  She’s still keeping an eye on all of us,

So let’s make sure

  She will like what she sees.

Mother, You Were Just a Girl (By Dick Underwood, Adapted for Mother)

Reflects on Mum’s life and her nurturing love. Funeral poems for mum 3/20.

Mother, you were just a girl,

  So many years ago.

You had your loves and had your dreams,

  You watched us come and go.

You watched us make the same mistakes,

  That you had made before,

But that just made you hold us tight,

  And love us all the more.

We haven’t always thought about

  The things that you have seen.

To us you’ve just been ‘Mother’,

  No thought of who you’ve been.

But we remember now in love,

  Your life from start to end,

And we’re just glad we knew you,

  As Mother, and as Friend.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep (By Mary Elizabeth Frye)

A comforting non-religious poem for Mum’s eternal presence. Funeral poems for mum 4/20.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

  I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

  I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sun on ripened grain,

  I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

  I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

  I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

  I am not there; I did not die.

My Mother Kept a Garden (Author Unknown)

Metaphorically portrays Mum’s nurturing heart as a garden. Funeral poems for mum 5/20.

My Mother kept a garden,

  A garden of the heart;

She planted all the good things,

  That gave my life its start.

She turned me to the sunshine,

  And encouraged me to dream:

Fostering and nurturing

  The seeds of self-esteem.

And when the winds and rains came,

  She protected me enough;

But not too much, she knew I’d need

  To stand up strong and tough.

Her constant good example,

  Always taught me right from wrong;

Markers for my pathway

  To last my whole life long.

Let Me Go (By Christina Rossetti)

A gentle plea to cherish Mum’s memory and move forward. Funeral poems for mum 6/20.

When I come to the end of the road

  And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,

  Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not for long,

  And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that once we shared,

  Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take,

  And each must go alone.

It’s all part of the master plan,

  A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart,

  Go to the friends we know.

Laugh at all the things we used to do,

  Miss me, but let me go.

Hands That Rocked the Cradle (Author Unknown)

Honours Mum’s comforting and guiding hands. Funeral poems for mum 7/20.

Hands that rocked the cradle

  From the moment of my birth,

Their tender touch remembered

  By those still here on Earth.

Soft as silk those hands

  That taught me how to pray,

Banishing childhood fears;

  They soothed each one away.

When I grew much older

  And troubles came my way,

Those hands caressing mine

  Did more than words could say.

Mother’s hands were gentle,

  They’re missed so very much,

I’d give the world to feel once more

  Their warm and tender touch.

Memories Unfold (Author Unknown)

Reflects on Mum’s enduring love despite her suffering. Funeral poems for mum 8/20.

Memories unfold as we think of you,

  A real mum, through and through.

You suffered in silence every day,

  An illness that would not go away.

But now you have no more pain,

  For God’s loving arms have healed you again.

Your love remains in our hearts,

  A bond that never truly departs.

She Is Gone (By David Harkins)

Encourages celebrating Mum’s life rather than mourning her loss. Funeral poems for mum 9/20.

You can shed tears that she is gone

  Or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back

  Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her

  Or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

  Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone

  Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

  Or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Mother’s Love (By J.K. Rowling, Adapted Quote)

A brief tribute to Mum’s protective, everlasting love. Funeral poems for mum 10/20.

Love as powerful as your mother’s

  Leaves its own mark.

To have been loved so deeply,

  Even though the person who loved us is gone,

Will give us some protection forever.

  Her love remains,

A shield within our hearts,

  Guiding us through life’s pains.

A Mother’s Love (By Mark Twain)

Praises Mum’s unwavering and selfless devotion. Funeral poems for mum 11/20.

There is but one and only one,

  Whose love will fail you never.

One who lives from sun to sun,

  With constant fond endeavour.

There is but one and only one,

  On earth there is no other.

In heaven a noble work was done

  When God gave us a Mother.

Where’s She Gone (By Lesley Woodrow Gibson)

A poignant reflection on Mum’s absence and lingering presence. Funeral poems for mum 12/20.

Where’s she gone, the one we knew,

  The one we knew and loved,

Who knew us all and loved us all –

  Where now is all that love?

Where now her smile? Where now her frown?

  Her bright, resounding laugh?

Ah, all are gone, by time undone;

  All that was her is past.

Down the stream we drifted,

  And saw her on the shore;

Around a bend we drifted,

  And saw her then no more.

And yet still she stands there,

  Still stands beside the shore.

Mother’s Garden (By Aneela Ahmed)

Likens Mum’s nurturing to a garden fostering growth. Funeral poems for mum 13/20.

My mother kept a garden,

  A garden of the heart.

She planted all the good things

  That gave my life its start.

She turned me to the sunshine,

  And encouraged me to dream.

Fostering and nurturing

  The seeds of self-esteem.

And when the winds and rain came,

  She protected me enough,

But not too much, she knew I’d need

  To stand up strong and tough.

Forever My Angel (Author Unknown)

Imagines Mum as an angelic presence watching over. Funeral poems for mum 14/20.

How is it that I never saw your wings

  When you were here with me?

When you closed your eyes and soared to the Heavens,

  I could hear the faint flutter of your wings as you left.

Your body no longer on this side,

  Your spirit here eternally, I see your halo shine.

I close my eyes and see the multi-coloured wings

  Surround me in my saddest moments and my happiest times.

Mother, my angel, God has given you your assignment,

  Always my mother, forever my angel.

You fly into my dreams and when I am asleep,

  I feel your wings brush against my face, wiping away the tears I shed.

 I Often Contemplate My Childhood, Mum (Author Unknown)

Acknowledges Mum’s sacrifices and lessons in love. Funeral poems for mum 15/20.

I often contemplate my childhood, Mum,

  I am a mother now, and so I know

Hard work is mixed together with the fun;

  You learned that when you raised me long ago.

I think of all the things you gave to me:

  Sacrifice, devotion, love and tears,

Your heart, your mind, your energy and soul –

  All these you spent on me throughout the years.

You loved me with a never-failing love,

  You gave me strength and sweet security,

And then you did the hardest thing of all:

  You let me separate and set me free.

My Mother (By Anonymous, Shared by Marc Lemezma)

Cherishes Mum as a friend and confidante. Funeral poems for mum 16/20.

You were someone I could talk to,

  That no one can replace.

You were someone I could laugh with,

  ‘Til tears ran down my face.

You were someone I could turn to,

  When I needed a helping hand;

You were someone I could count on,

  To advise and understand.

You were someone I thought more of,

  As each year came to an end.

You were my dearest mother,

  And also my dearest friend.

Thank you for the memories,

  That are yours and mine alone;

For they recall so many special moments,

  That you and I have known.

Irish Funeral Prayer (Author Unknown)

A traditional prayer for Mum’s kindness and love. Funeral poems for mum 17/20.

You can only have one mother,

  Patient, kind and true;

No other friend in all the world,

  Will be the same to you.

When other friends forsake you,

  To mother you will return,

For all her loving kindness,

  She asks nothing in return.

As we look upon her picture,

  Sweet memories we recall,

Of a face so full of sunshine,

  And a smile for one and all.

Sweet Jesus, take this message,

  To our dear mother up above;

Tell her how we miss her,

  And give her all our love.

God Made a Wonderful Mother (By Patrick O’Reilly)

A joyful tribute to Mum’s radiant, God-given qualities. Funeral poems for mum 18/20.

God made a wonderful mother,

  A mother who never grows old;

He made her smile of the sunshine,

  And He moulded her heart of pure gold;

In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,

  In her cheeks fair roses you see;

God made a wonderful mother,

  And He gave that dear mother to me

To Those Whom I Love and Those Who Love Me (Author Unknown)

Encourages letting go while treasuring Mum’s love. Funeral poems for mum 19/20.

When I am gone, release me, let me go,

  I have so many things to see and do.

You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,

  Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess

  How much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown,

  But now it’s time I travelled on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must,

  Then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It’s only for a while that we must part,

  So bless the memories within your heart.

Death Is Nothing at All (By Henry Holland)

A comforting reminder of Mum’s continued presence. Funeral poems for mum 20/20.

Death is nothing at all,

  I have only slipped into the next room.

I am I, and you are you,

  Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by my old familiar name,

  Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.

Put no difference in your tone,

  Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

  Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,

  Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant,

  It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

  I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.

Reach Out For Support With Respect Today

Ready to put together the perfect ceremony? Contact Respect Funeral Services at 01427 612992 or contact us directly at respectgb.co.uk/contact to learn how we can help you plan a dignified, eco-friendly farewell. 

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After Care

If you need extra help, there are excellent resources available:

• NHS: The NHS offers advice on coping with bereavement, including mental health support. Visit their page on Dealing with Grief and Loss for practical tips and helpline details.

• Respect: the Respect Guide, What To Do When Someone Dies covers benefits like the Bereavement Support Payment.

• Cruse Bereavement Support: A UK charity dedicated to grief, Cruse provides free counselling and resources. Learn more at cruse.org.uk.

• Bereavement Advice: Documents needed for arranging a funeral

• GOV: See if you qualify for a Funeral Expense Payment from the government.