When a loved one is being mourned, we often turn to poetry in order to express our deepest thoughts and feelings. The right poem, whether ancient or modern, will help us celebrate a life that has ended and, perhaps, allow us to find some comfort.Yet it's not always easy to find the poem that's right for the occasion, especially at such a time of sorrow. As an actress, Julia Watson has sometimes been asked by friends for suggestions, and in this collection she offers over ninety poems and other short readings which could be read at a funeral or memorial service.
As more and more secular funerals are taking place, there is a need for appropriate texts. This collection offers 70 poems and prose extracts suitable for reading at funerals and celebrations of a life. It includes selections that range from Shakespeare to Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee Nation, and from Christina Rossetti to St Francis of Assissi.