“Poems and Readings for Funerals and Memorials” by Luisa Moncada

As more and more people opt to create their own personalized celebration in memory of a lost loved one, the need for material from which to create an inspiring memorial event continues to grow. Yet, there has traditionally been a surprising lack of resources offering this kind of content. That is, until Luisa Moncada compiled “Poems and Readings for Funerals and Memorials.”

This short book is a collection of over 120 reflective poems, readings, lyrics, prayers and songs. The variety of genre ranges from the classic poems of e.e. cummings, Emily Dickinson, and Rumi to Old and New Testament prayers.  The lyrics of Jacques Brel and Bob Dylan counter enduring favorites  like “Romeo and Juliet” and Aeschylus’s “Agamemnon.” Readings span from “The House at Pooh Corner” to Khalil Gibran’s “The Prophet.”

“Poems and Readings for Funerals and Memorials” draws on grief, sorrow, love, life and death. Most selections are on the shorter side, running from a brief paragraph to a few pieces that run three pages. Each page is tagged with the genre — poem, spiritual, letter, reading, song, novel, prayer, or biblical — and accompanied by a short description of the authors.

“Poems and Readings for Funerals and Memorials” also contains notable readings like Oprah Winfrey’s eulogy to Rosa Parks and Robert Kennedy’s quote at the National Democratic Convention in memory of JFK.  This carefully-considered compilation has a little something for everyone who seeks a meaningful reading for a special memorial celebration.

I will close with the selection from Bob Dylan, “Death Is Not the End.”

By Jean-Luc via Wikimedia Commons

When you’re sad and when you’re lonely
And you haven’t got a friend
Just remember that death is not the end

And all that you held sacred
Falls down and does not mend
Just remember that death is not the end

Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
When you’re standing on the crossroads
That you cannot comprehend
Just remember that death is not the end
And all your dreams have vanished
And you don’t know what’s up the bend
Just remember that death is not the end

Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end

When the storm clouds gather round you
And heavy rains descend
Just remember that death is not the end