The role of funeral quotes in grief
Grief, emotion and pressure amid the final farewell to a loved one can be all consuming. At this time, neither pain, loss or love are easy to express in words. And it can be difficult to sum all the overwhelming emotions of grief into a compact funeral ceremony, which is meaningful whilst being concise.
Using the words of famous poets can offer a powerful alternative to express the emotions of life and death better than you feel able to.
It can help capture the essence of your relationship with the lost person. Whether expressing beautiful memories you shared, or how deeply this person was loved as both a lifelong friend and family member, sharing these aspects of the deceased is a worthwhile effort to make a funeral feel meaningful.
In this way, funeral quotes can even re-shift a dreary affair to a source of inspiration-providing some sense of comfort when the whole world around feels overwhelming with grief. The best part, you can pick one which speaks specifically to you.
Suggested examples of meaningful funeral quotes
Below, we've included five meaningful funeral quotes. They can serve as inspiration for saying goodbye at the funeral of someone you deeply loved, or even just some provide comfort and offer support to those who are grieving:
“Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendoUr in the grass, of glory in the flower; we will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.” – William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth was an English poet, speaking to the idea that, even through death ends our physical time with a loved one, we can draw on strength, comfort and inspiration from the memories we shared with them. Love deeply enriches our time and ensures a life well lived, but sadly, also creates pain when people die.
This quote reminds us that unlike the impossible nature of eternal life, memories can live forever in our minds. Providing great voices of guidance and inspiration, as well as comfort, even when things get tough without our loved ones.
2. “When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” – Unknown
Similar to the first quote, this one offers a gentle reminder that the memories of our loved ones are not taken from us when our loved one's life ends, and their physical presence ceases to be. True friends leave footprints to follow with the memories and the teachings they shared with us in life.
And, whether it's a positive message, or a reminder to make the most of life, the memories which resurface after their death can make all the world of difference in getting through those tough days.
3. "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." - Mary Frye
Regardless of your beliefs, this quote is a reminder that despite being a great ordeal, death does not detract from the moments you shared with this person in life. It attempts to reframe our perspective into seeing death as less of an end, and more of a transition.
Even if ideas of the 'next life' are not in your beliefs, many seek comfort in thinking about how our lost ones remain in the beautiful essence of everything around us in life.
Passing quietly through the natural elements, we're reminded to look for reminders of them in the sweet things of life- embracing a sense that unspeakable love, that a person's essence and memories, don't have to end with death.
Rather, death is just the lifting of this person's elements into other forms of energy, in just another path of life we're yet to reach.
However you interpret it in line with your'e beliefs, there's something beautiful to hold in this funeral quote.
4. “We are all just walking each other home.” – Ram Dass
Ram Dass is a spiritual teacher, offering this sentiment to fit the beliefs or religion of any person. It reminds us that we're all on a shared journey, and that death doesn't represent a ceasem*nt of our loved ones presence in this path.
Dass advocates that both in life and death, anyone you love deeply is with you in spirit- with death leaving us with a loved ones energy, memories and teachings, even if it deprives us of their physical presence.
What's more, this one reminds us to support and help each other in saying goodbye to a loved one. We're all on the same journey in life, with death only a horizon away for us all.
The circ*mstances around a death might make this quote, or an inspirational funeral tone, acceptable or not. So whether you incorporate this one into your public goodbye, or just the lifting of your own spirits, it can be a beautifully simple reminder of the interconnectedness in all life, and death.
5. "Lives are like rivers: Eventually they go where they must. Not where we want them to" by Richard Russo
This is a reflection on the idea that our lives are largely out of our control. It reflects on the fact that this rule is no more relevant, than with death.
This us that just as a river follows its own, uncontrollable course, determined by the natural forces, our lives also have a direction and momentum of their own.
Common themes in funeral quotes
Letting go of control
Whilst we have hopes and dreams in life, great voices across all religions and spiritual beliefs have preached for centuries that there are forces out of our control. Any funeral quote which captures this sentiment can be comforting, and sometimes inspiring in a time where we need it most.
Even with this wisdom, it can be difficult to accept that neither pain or effort can prevent certain uncontrollable life changes from forcing us to say goodbye to someone we love deeply, before we feel ready.
Inevitable cycle of life
In embracing this idea that larger forces are at work, some find comfort in viewing death as a silent crossing into the next stage of where our loved one is meant to be, and where our life is meant to take us in their absence.
In this sense, funeral quotes are not about trying to rebrand or dilute a tragic loss with toxic positivity. Instead, the powerful words of funeral quotes are there to shift our negative view of death- away from being a silent crossing into a fate worse than life- and instead towards an acceptance of the fact its a natural part, and consequence, of life itself.
Helping you express emotion
In the aftermath of a death, passing quietly through life can feel tough, and sometimes only true friends will know the extent of your suffering. With all these overwhelming emotions, saying goodbye in a funeral can be the first stage of acceptance in healing from grief.
Incorporating these final goodbye quotes into a funeral can also be a powerful way to express how you're feeling without having to get too personal, or emotional, at a public service.
A meaningful life
Funeral quotes can help us ground in the present moment of life, without harbouring regret or resentment in wishing things were different. Death leaves us feeling hopeless, but finding meaning in these times is what can help us get through.
This sentiment is reflected in many powerful funeral quotes; there to remind us that whilst life is not always predictable, it is always meaningful. And that just like rivers, the paths of our lives will take us where we need to go, regardless of where we want to go.
To wrap up on choosing funeral quotes to say goodbye
Choosing funeral quotes can help say goodbye, maintain a more positive tone in a celebration of life ceremony and provide the words to express how you're feeling.
Whether you go for those inspiring funeral quotes which reflect on life, or something more mellow- it can be a powerful way to uplift your funeral service.
How Safewill can help
Safewill can help with all things at the end of life.
Whether you're preparing for the future with a will, or dealing with a loved ones estate in the absence of one- our expert team offers support on everything from cremations to estate plans. With expert, specialist advice for every avenue of your end of life needs.
Get in touch today
To discuss further how we can help you in your time of need, call us on1800 103 310 , or via live chat now.
