When planning a funeral for a loved one, it can be impossible sometimes to know where to begin. There are so many elements to consider and arrangements to make, from whether it’s a burial or cremation, to what type of flowers your loved one would have wanted. A common problem people face is what readings to pick. It can be difficult to know what’s suitable, do you go for something popular, or are you allowed to be humorous?
Read on below to find out some helpful advice on what you should consider when picking readings for a funeral.
The Significance of Funeral Readings
Funeral readings are a great way to personalise your loved one’s service. Depending on the type of reading, they can help provide comfort in what is an emotional time, as you say goodbye to a cherished friend or family member, providing closure for mourners. They are also a positive moment, used to celebrate the life of the deceased, and those who provide the readings find they are a very personal way of being involved in a loved one’s final goodbye.
Types of Funeral Readings
What type of funeral readings to include will depend on the type of funeral, and the type of person your loved one was. Is it a religious or a non-religious service? Were they a huge reader, or poetry lover?
Below is a list of sources to help inspire your choice:
How to Select the Right Funeral Reading
Funerals are all about honouring loved ones, and so they manifest into celebrations of their lives. There’s no right or wrong answers for what you can and can’t read, but here are some considerations to think about if you’re unsure what path to go down. The easiest scenario is if the deceased asked for something specific before they passed, but if not, think about their favourite works, perhaps a poem or passage from a cherished novel. You should also think about how the reading will fit into the service as a whole. Will it resonate with those gathered and does it fit the tone of the service?
Examples of Popular Funeral Readings
Here are a few popular options that could help inspire your own choice:
Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd
A well-known passage from the Bible that focuses on comforting through faith.
Let Me Go – Christina Georgina Rossetti
Urges mourners to remember the joy and love they shared with their loved one rather than the loss itself.
Funeral Blues – WH Auden
A poignant poem that focuses on the feelings of sorrow and longing.
Selecting the right funeral readings for your loved one can seem a daunting task, but at the end of the day, as long as you choose something that you think reflects best the person you’re celebrating, you can’t really go wrong.
For more advice on how to navigate the difficult time of arranging a funeral for loved ones, visit our blog.
If you have any questions, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to support you and your family.