As we discussed in our last blog post, prayer/memory cards are something you may be tasked with choosing when a loved one dies. These cards can be customized in many ways, so they truly reflect the person they are honoring. For those who don’t strongly relate to their faith, a prayer or verse may not feel like the best option. In this case, there are many poems, quotes, and sayings to choose from. Below are 10 of the most popular choices of poems and quotes for a memory card.
1) “Immortality”: This poem, written by Clare Harner after the sudden death of her brother, prompts the reader to not look for their loved one at the grave, that it not where they will find them. Instead they will find them in the summer breeze, the autumn rain, the nature that surrounds them.
Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep—
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand
By my grave, and cry—
I am not there,
I did not die.
2) “Afterglow”: Written by Helen Lowrie Marshall, this short poem asks the reader to remember their loved one in happy memories.
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
3) “Miss Me But Let Me Go”: This poem was written by Victorian poet Christina Rossetti serves as a reminder to think of the life that you shared with your loved one. Though you will miss them, they must now leave us.
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 all must take
And each must go alone.
It’s all part of the Master 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.
4) “You Are Near”: This poem is short and sweet, but it’s sentiment is a beautiful one. Those who die are with us always in our hearts and thoughts and we carry them with us.
You are near,
Even if I don’t see you.
You are with me,
Even if You are far away.
You are in my heart,
In my thoughts,
In my life,
Always.
5) “To Those I Love”: Written by Isla Paschal Richardson, this poem is often quoted in a shorter sentiment. The full poem is beautiful and reminds the reader to think of their loved one as being with them.
If I should ever leave you whom I love
To go along the silent way,
Grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears,
But laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there.
(I’d come – I’d come, could I but find a way!
But would not tears and grief be barriers?)
And when you hear a song
Or see a bird I loved,
Please do not let the thought of me be sad
For I am loving you just as I always have
You were so good to me!
There are so many things I wanted still to do
So many things to say to you
Remember that I did not fear
It was just leaving you that was so hard to face
We cannot see beyond
But this I know;
I love you so
‘twas heaven here with you!
6) “A Man’s Legacy”: Though short, this poem leaves the reader with the reminder that it’s not things that make us who we are, but the way we treat people and how we live.
A man’s legacy is not
riches, possessions,
or worldly goods
of any kind;
It is the way he lived,
the lives he touched,
the promises he kept…
It is the kind of man
He was.
7) A Beautiful Life: This short poem conveys what a wonderful and beautiful person has been lost and will always be remembered.
A beautiful life
that came to an end…
She died as she lived,
everyone’s friend
In our hearts a memory
will always be kept…
of one we loved and
will never forget
8) “While We Are Apart”: This beautiful poem imparts the message that no matter the distance that death brings, you can always hold your loved one in your heart and not lose their memory.
Distance may separate us,
but my heart will never let you go,
For I carry a part of you with me always.
It keeps me going through the day.
It brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.
It is a part of my dreams that I live for and cherish.
That part is my wish, my only one,
to see you again soon.
I know that wish will someday come true.
But for now, I will hold in my heart
the memory of you and never let you go.
9) “You Toiled So Hard”: Death is not always peaceful and can be very difficult for those surviving. This poem is a keen reminder of this and how we can still begin to find peace after such a loss.
You toiled so hard for those you loved.
You said goodbye to none.
Your spirit flew before we knew,
your work on earth was done.
We miss you now, Our hearts are sore.
As time goes by, we miss you more.
Your loving smile, Your gentle face:
No one can fill your vacant place.
Your life was love and labor,
Your love for your family true.
You did the best for all of us.
We will always remember you.
10) “Remember Me”: Margaret Mead’s poem reminds us once again that we can find our loved ones in many ways: in nature, in our hearts and thoughts.
To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated,
But to the happy, I am at peace,
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea – remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty – remember me.
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity – remember me.
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, your memories of the times we loved,
The times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed.
For if you always think of me, I will never be gone.
No matter what you choose, memory cards are a beautiful way to commemorate a loved one’s life. They serve as a keepsake for those who know the deceased and can be very healing for some. What poem would you choose for your memory card? Do you know another option that would be fitting? Let us know in the comments below!