Funeral Poems: 7 Most Requested Readings and Irish Blessings
When you’re planning a funeral, finding the right words to say goodbye can feel like the hardest part. From classic verses like “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” to the beloved Irish blessing “May the road rise up to meet you,” the poem you choose can capture a lifetime of love in just a few lines.
Most popular funeral poem worldwide: “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” by Mary Elizabeth Frye ·
Poem read at Princess Diana’s funeral: “The Wind” by Henry van Dyke (adapted as “He Is Gone”) ·
Classic Irish funeral blessing: “May the road rise up to meet you” (traditional) ·
Number of funeral poem searches per month (est.): Over 30,000
Quick snapshot
- “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” was written by Mary Elizabeth Frye, confirmed by Pulitzer-winning research (Funeral Guide)
- “He Is Gone” read at Diana’s funeral is adapted from Henry van Dyke’s “The Wind” (Funeral Guide)
- The traditional Irish blessing has no single known author, appearing in print since the 19th century (USC Folklore Archive)
- The exact origin of “May the road rise up to meet you” is disputed — some attribute it to Celtic tradition, others to Anglican prayer (USC Folklore Archive)
- Whether “He Is Gone” is a direct reading of van Dyke’s original or a separate adaptation by Charles Spencer is debated (Funeral Guide)
- 1997: Princess Diana’s funeral includes reading of “He Is Gone” (adapted from “The Wind”) (Funeral Guide)
- 1932: Mary Elizabeth Frye writes “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” (Funeral Guide)
- 2022: Co-op Funeralcare survey confirms it as most-requested funeral poem in UK (Funeral Guide)
- More families are choosing non-religious poems for celebrations of life, and modern poets are contributing new works (Humanists UK)
- Expect to see more personalized and inclusive readings, with secular adaptations of traditional blessings (Greenfields Funerals)
Five key facts about funeral poems, one pattern: the most requested readings share a common thread of comfort, nature, and the promise of continued presence.
