Nature has always been an essential muse for poets, symbolizing life, death, and the eternal cycle of existence. For funerals, poems that speak to the serene aspects of the natural world can provide comfort, peace, and a sense of connection with the life that has passed. These poems help to articulate feelings that words alone cannot express, making them a perfect choice for commemorating the deceased. Here, we explore thirteen great poems about nature that may not be widely known, but offer profound insights for those in mourning.
The 13 Great Poems About Nature for Funerals You May Not Know
1. “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry
“When despair for the world grows in me
And I wake in the night at the least sound,
In fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
Rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.”
Wendell Berry’s poem is a reflection on finding solace in nature during moments of despair. The image of a “wood drake” and a “great heron” conjures up tranquil scenes of the natural world, offering a spiritual refuge from the burdens of life. At a funeral, this poem can remind mourners that nature holds peace and that death, like the cycles of the earth, brings moments of rest and renewal. The reference to “the peace of wild things” suggests that nature does not judge or rush, offering a gentle reprieve from the chaos of life.
2. “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost
“Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.”
Frost’s famous poem speaks to the fleeting nature of beauty and life. The “first green” represents the beginning of life, while the poem’s reminder that “nothing gold can stay” reflects the inevitability of change. This work is often used at funerals to emphasize the preciousness of life’s early moments and the ephemeral nature of existence. The poem encourages us to appreciate the golden moments, even though they are short-lived.
3. “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
“And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor.”
While “The Raven” is often associated with loss and mourning, it can also serve as a potent exploration of nature’s dark beauty. The raven, a bird frequently linked to death, represents the mystery of the afterlife and the eternal cycle of life and death. At funerals, “The Raven” may evoke a somber yet poignant atmosphere, urging mourners to contemplate life’s inevitable end while recognizing the presence of the deceased in spirit.
4. “A Bird Came Down the Walk” by Emily Dickinson
“A Bird came down the Walk—
He did not know I saw—
He bit an Angleworm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw.”
Emily Dickinson’s portrayal of nature’s innocence and the interaction between the bird and the worm can provide comfort during a funeral. Dickinson often used nature as a metaphor for human experiences, and this poem subtly alludes to the cycle of life, from creation to consumption. At a funeral, the imagery of a simple bird, alive in the moment, may remind mourners of the transient, yet essential, rhythm of life.
5. “The Garden” by Edgar Allan Poe
“I wander through the garden,
Where all is hushed and still,
And wonder at the silence
That fills the woods and hill.”
“The Garden” is a meditation on the peaceful solitude found in nature, which can offer a place of quiet reflection. Poe’s evocative language invites readers to contemplate the afterlife through the serene imagery of a garden. Gardens often symbolize life’s renewal and the connection to nature, making this poem an excellent choice for a funeral, where the imagery of nature’s constant rebirth may offer comfort to those grieving.
6. “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
Mary Oliver’s poem speaks to the beauty of the present moment and the sanctity of life. It’s a reminder that life is fleeting, but it is also “wild” and “precious.” At a funeral, this poem can remind mourners to appreciate the uniqueness of the life that has passed. Oliver’s portrayal of nature, which is lush and full of vitality, highlights the idea that life, even when it ends, leaves behind a legacy of beauty and wonder.
7. “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth
“For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.”
Wordsworth’s classic poem celebrates the restorative power of nature. The image of the poet’s heart “dancing with the daffodils” provides a sense of joy and connection to the earth. At a funeral, this poem can evoke feelings of remembrance and celebration of the life that once was. It encourages the mourner to look to nature for solace, finding comfort in the beauty of the world that remains even in the face of loss.
8. “The Wild Swans at Coole” by W.B. Yeats
“The trees are in their autumn beauty,
The woodland paths are dry,
Under the October twilight the water
Mirrors a still sky.”
Yeats’ poem reflects on the passage of time and the inevitable changes that come with it. The swans, often symbols of beauty and grace, move through a world that is changing, yet still retaining its quiet beauty. This poem can help mourners reconcile the passage of time, as the swans represent a cycle of life that is uninterrupted by death. It’s a celebration of life’s quiet beauty, offering peace in moments of loss.
9. “The Cloud” by Percy Bysshe Shelley
“I silently laugh at my own cenotaph,
And out of the caverns of rain,
Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb,
I arise and unbuild it again.”
Shelley’s “The Cloud” embodies nature’s cyclical essence, showing how the cloud is constantly reborn through water, rain, and transformation. This poem’s portrayal of constant renewal can be a powerful image for a funeral, reminding mourners that death is but a transition. Just as the cloud is never destroyed but transformed, so too is life and death interconnected in nature’s infinite cycle.
10. “Song of the Open Road” by Walt Whitman
“The road is life.
We travel along its winding path,
With the sun in our eyes,
And the earth beneath our feet,
Steady and sure as we go.”
Whitman’s poem celebrates the journey of life. The “open road” is a metaphor for freedom, change, and exploration, themes that resonate during funerals. This poem can offer comfort to mourners by suggesting that the deceased is continuing their journey, with life and death intertwined on an endless path. It’s a reminder of the dynamic, unending nature of existence.
11. “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver
“You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
Love what it loves.”
In “Wild Geese,” Mary Oliver speaks to the grace of being human and the freedom to simply exist in harmony with nature. The image of “wild geese” evokes feelings of movement, freedom, and purpose. This poem at a funeral serves as a reminder that the deceased has lived and loved freely, and their life, like the geese, was part of a greater, natural harmony.
12. “The Red Wheelbarrow” by William Carlos Williams
“so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens.”
Though simple in its imagery, “The Red Wheelbarrow” speaks to the importance of the everyday and the beauty found in the most mundane moments of life. At a funeral, this poem can serve as a reminder that life’s simplest moments carry profound meaning, and that even in death, we carry the legacy of ordinary beauty.
13. “To Autumn” by John Keats
“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run.”
Keats’ “To Autumn” is a celebration of nature’s maturity and harvest, a fitting metaphor for a life well-lived. The autumn season is often associated with reflection and the culmination of life’s work, making it a perfect choice for a funeral. This poem, with its lush descriptions, offers a gentle acceptance of the passage of time and the eventuality of death.
Conclusion
These thirteen poems reflect the profound relationship between nature and the cycles of life and death. Each poem offers a different perspective on nature, from its beauty and peace to its inevitable changes, making them excellent choices for funerals. Whether reflecting on the fleeting nature of life or celebrating the beauty of existence, these poems allow us to connect with the natural world as we honor the lives of those who have passed.
