Sympathy Poems

Sympathy poems are expressive and profound. They may be the perfect thing to help you express your heart in a letter or at a memorial service. Some of the most cherished memorial poetry can be found here, whether you are looking for a poem to include in an obituary or for a funeral reading.

Find an assortment of memorial poems, christian sympathy poems and also bereavement poems expressing the anguish of grief.

If you know bereaved parents or somebody who has just lost a spouse. They may find comfort and healing in bereavement poems, written by others or they may want to write one themselves. Sometimes reading a poem that somebody else has written can help grieving individuals express their heartache too.

These are free sympathy poems, you may print and give away as many as you like. Print sympathy poems onto nice card stock or stationary and insert into a greeting card. You can also use them to make a special handmade gifts or scrapbook pages.

More Poems:

Christian Sympathy Poems

Poems for Widows

Poems for Widowers

Child Bereavement Poems

Sympathy Poems Written from the Departed Loved One's Perspective

I Did Not Die

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain,
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Author Unknown

The Light Beyond bereavement site brings together a beautiful poem about hope and peace and inspirational visuals. Watch Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep now

Miss Me

Miss me, but let me go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free

Miss me a little - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me - but let me go

For this is a journey that we must all take
And each must go alone
It's all a part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home

When you are lonely, and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me - but let me go

Author Unknown

Death is Nothing

That we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes
We enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me,
Let my name be ever the household word that
It always was.
Let it be spoken without effort,
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am
Out of sight? I am but waiting for you
For an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner.
All is well.

Canon Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)

Sympathy Poems Written from the Bereaved's Perspective

Light a Candle

And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Oh, today I light a candle for you.
The seasons come and go, and I'm weary from the change.
I keep on moving on, you know it's not the same.
And when I'm walking all alone
Do you hear me call your name?
Do your hear me sing the songs we used to sing?
You filled my life with wonder, touched me with surprise,
Always saw that something special deep within your eyes.
And through the good times and the bad,
We carried on with pride.
I hold onto the love and life we knew.
And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Oh, today I light a candle for you.

by Paul Alexander

I Thought of You Today

I thought of you with love today but that is nothing new
I thought about you yesterday and days before that too,
I think of you in silence I often speak your name
All I have are memories and your picture in a frame
Your memory is my keepsake with which I’ll never part
God has you in His keeping I have you in my heart.

Not, How Did He Die, But How Did He Live?

Not how did he die, but how did he live?
Not what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away.

Weeks, months or even years after the funeral you can send an encouraging condolence poem to a grieving loved one. Let them know that you are thinking of them on a day that you know is difficult maybe a holiday or anniversary.