Picture books that are reassuring can help soothe a child, help them know that they are loved–or should be loved. I think they can have great benefit. No Matter What by Debi Gliori is one of those books. Even though Debi Gliori’s picture book was made to comfort children with its message, it certainly extends to anyone who’s experienced loss. It’s a reminder that even when you’ve lost a loved one, you’re still surrounded by their love. Small said, “But what about when we are dead and gone, will you love me then, does love go on?”…Large (replied) “Look at the stars, how they shine and glow, some of the stars died a long time ago. Still they shine in the evening skies, for you see…love like starlight never dies…” Bilbo’s Last Song (At the Grey Havens) - JRR Tolkien I love this book, it has a great story line and a lovely moral for children! I would definitely use this book in a KS1 classroom linking strongly with PSHE looking into families and acceptance. Discussions in circle time could be used where we throw a football around student to student where each child says something that the love about themselves. Looking at how we all have different qualities. Poetic Expressions is a proud supporter of Marie Curie whose Nurses provide free nursing care to cancer patients and those with other terminal illnesses in their own homes" This poem is an excellent choice for the funeral of someone with a sense of humour. It’s the narrator’s light-hearted request for their choice of funeral music because they’d “be happier to see those present have some relief.”“I’ve taken in recent years to thinking about my funeral and have decided to make one paramount request: play jolly music at that ritual. What good does it do to heap on dirges or other mournful melodies? I won’t be there to be gratified by the grieving and if I could tune in I’d be happier to see those present have some relief.” Read the entire poem here. Eulogy from a Physicist - Aaron Freeman

Despite being written fourteen years before his death, this poem is inscribed on the author’s gravestone. Robert Louis Stevenson was a famous atheist, making the poem a popular choice of non-religious funeral reading. Under the wide and starry sky, This is a lovely book that depicts the importance of a family's love. The little fox referred to as Small in the story wants to know will his mother love him no matter what he was. He uses different animals such as a bear, crocodile, bug etc. And his mother tells him she would love him no matter what he was like. This poem was read out at Princess Diana’s funeral and it’s not hard to see why. The narrator tells its listeners not to mourn for too long. It’s better to continue the good work that the person started in life as a source of comfort instead. “If I should die and leave you here a while, be not like others sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep. For my sake – turn again to life and smile, nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine. Complete those dear unfinished tasks of mine and I, perchance may therein comfort you.” Farewell, Sweet Dust - Elinor Wylie This poem could be chosen for a spouse or a partner, or even a close friend that you’ve lost. It’s a helpful way of looking at loss. Henry Scott-Holland reminds us with the poem that death is a part of life. “Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away to the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, That, we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.” Read the poem in full here. Remember Me - Margaret Mead You're not a proper dragon', they sneered. 'You can't fly.' 'You can't breathe fire.' 'You're covered in feathers, you big...softy.'There are so many reasons I love this book, but I have to say, the major reason is this: this book isn’t parent/caregiver/child specific. It’s about love. The characters are “Large” and “Small,” so this book could be about grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, two moms, two dads, etc. It’s just about feeling safe, loved, secure, and warm. People often choose this gentle poem for the funeral of a mother. It was in fact read at the funeral of the Queen Mother. The words can be changed to make it suitable for a father’s funeral too. We think it’s a lovely verse to celebrate the life of anyone, not just a parent.

Looking for readings for a non-religious funeral? Whether you’d like to find a reading that reflects the personality of your loved one, or a funny funeral reading that will make friends and family smile, we’ve collected some of our favourite non-religious funeral readings to help you find the right one. Modern non-religious funeral readings No Matter What – Debi Gliori Bombs Away!" he yelled, swooping low over StregaSchloss. He saw little figures on the ground fleeing from the large green projectile that was speeding their way. "And a direct hit, if I'm not mistaken," he observed to himself. With a tremendous slapping sound, Ffup's digestive overload landed on a human target. There was a scream, a ghastly choking sound, and then silence.” This funeral poem sets out to remind mourners that death does not have to be the end. What though the radiance which was once so bright~ Knyga jai kelia šiltas ir geras emocijas, tad savaime suprantama, kad knygą vertinu labai gerai. Patikinimas, kad tėtis mylės visada, pasakomas šios knygos pagalba, yra labai veiksmingas. Ir tą matau iš vakarinių apsikabinimų prieš miegą. Having trouble deciding on a non-religious funeral reading? Don’t forget that there are no strict rules about what you can and cannot use. You could choose a poem. Or your loved one’s favourite song lyrics. Here are a few more ideas to give you some inspiration. We hope it helps you find the right way to say goodbye.Sigh. I didn't see this as a grief/death thing at all, instead I interpreted it as a "someone's moved away" scenario. I guess you could be very liberal with your interpretation and see this as dealing with grief/death, but it's not explicit enough for me and this does NOT count as a "help your child cope with grief" book for me at all.

Large held Small snug as they looked out at the night, at the moon in the dark and the stars shining bright. Just cute little foxy touches that make the story that much better, more interesting, and more enjoyable. This poem is a popular choice for a non-religious funeral reading for a child or young person. Rather than focussing on the finality of death, it suggests that death merely changes things. The poem can offer comfort during a difficult time and could be a good choice for a humanist funeral. Dear lovely Death As the name suggests, this poem would be an ideal funeral reading for someone who had a sense of humour. The poem urges the funeral goers to dispense with traditional funeral verses and enjoy some music. Consider coupling this poem with some fitting funeral music. I’ve taken in recent years to thinking about my funeralWe see now that a crocodile has taken Small's place in the bathtub. Large extends a hand, holding out Small's toothbrush and toothpaste. Finding the words to say goodbye to a loved one when they pass away can be difficult. With non-religious and Humanist funerals becoming more and more popular, many people turn to the internet and books to find the perfect non-religious reading. Joyce Grenfell was a British actress and satirical writer who became well known for her wry humour. This poem is often used as a funeral verse because of its sense of fun and positivity.

This non-religious funeral reading poetically describes the scattering of someone’s ashes, and how this helps you become a part of everything around you. It’s a comforting reminder that you’re never really gone when you pass away. “Now I have lost you, I must scatter All of you on the air henceforth; Not that to me it can ever matter Buy it’s only fair to the rest of the earth. Now especially, when it is winter And the sun’s not half so bright as he was, Who wouldn’t be glad to find a splinter That once was you in the frozen grass? Snowflakes, too, will be softer feathered, Clouds, perhaps, will be whiter plumed; Rain, whose brilliance you caught and gathered, Purer silver have reassumed. Farewell, sweet dust; I never was a miser: Once, for a minute, I made you mine: Now you are gone, I am none the wiser But the leaves of the willow are as bright as wine.” Death is Nothing at All - Henry Scott-Holland This funeral poem focuses on scattering a loved one's ashes, making it ideal for use at a cremation, when scattering the ashes or at another non-religious ceremony. Now I have lost you, I must scatterThis short funeral verse is an uplifting poem about celebrating life and remembering someone who has made a positive impact on those around them.