| A couple of recent deaths in the family found me | | | | of the poems for a memorial service or funeral, |
| searching the Internet trying to locate a suitable | | | | please include my byline. |
| eulogy or funeral poem. What I found was often | | | | Eulogy - Funeral Poem Number 1: |
| very inspiring and brought tears to my eyes. | | | | I'll Join Him Someday |
| However, many of the poems were quite long, | | | | I haven't been there yet - but I'm leaving |
| and filled with flowery, unnatural language. Some | | | | someday, |
| of the pieces I found were written decades ago, | | | | To join my loved one - he's not far away. |
| and contained words or expressions no longer | | | | Can you feel his presence? his warmth? his love? |
| used in modern English. Most of the poetry didn't | | | | He's with us right now - looking down from |
| have quite the sentiment I was trying to find. | | | | above, |
| Some excellent modern poetry was copyrighted, | | | | Watching and waiting - as we grieve and cry, |
| and I couldn't pinpoint a way to contact the | | | | Reaching out in comfort - with a gentle sigh. |
| author for permission to use his or her work. | | | | Please don't weep for him - he's with the Lord, |
| I ended up writing my own poem for the | | | | Protected from Satan - with just one word: |
| memorial service. Luckily, it was a 'Celebration of | | | | Mine! |
| Life' held several weeks after the death of my | | | | By Kathy Steinemann |
| relatives, so I was able to take my time. | | | | Eulogy - Funeral Poem Number 2: |
| Unfortunately, most funerals are held within a few | | | | He's Waiting |
| days of a loved one's passing. Add to that the | | | | His face was wrinkled, his hair white as snow, |
| fact that we are suffering through a grieving | | | | His body was tired of this world here below. |
| process - and our poetic muses seem to hide | | | | He waited patiently to hear God's call. |
| away in the deep, dark recesses of our minds. | | | | When it came, he was ready, and surrendered all |
| The other day I was thinking about this. If I had | | | | - |
| trouble finding a poem, others would be sure to | | | | To be with our Savior, in His loving care - |
| have the same problem. | | | | To join friends and family and with them share |
| Here are a couple of poems that may be used | | | | The Lord's boundless love and endless grace; |
| for a funeral or memorial service. In both poems, | | | | He is with Jesus now in His warm embrace; |
| you may exchange 'he', 'his', etc. for 'she', or 'her' | | | | He waits again patiently - for you and me, |
| where appropriate. You may even want to add a | | | | Till we leave this Earth, finally free, |
| specific reference to the person's name in the title | | | | To meet him again and share his delight, |
| and/or text of the poem. | | | | As we enter the city that has no night. |
| For example: 'He is Waiting' could be changed to | | | | By Kathy Steinemann |
| 'Harold is Waiting'; or 'He's with us right now' to | | | | (c)Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free |
| 'Harold's with us right now' ... etc. | | | | to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, |
| If you publish these poems (or the entire article) | | | | and the author's note below (with active links) are |
| on your website, please be sure to include the | | | | included. |
| byline, copyright notice, and links. If you use one | | | | |