20 Funeral Poems For Your Beloved Late Dad

Not How Did He Die

by: Summer Sandercox

The next poem reflects on how a man lived his life. It sends the message that it isn’t the end that defines a man’s life but how he lived it before the end. 

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.

He is Gone

by: David Harkins

I particularly like this poem. It talks about the two perspectives following death. We can choose to be sad that dad’s gone or be grateful for how he loved us while alive. Our dads wouldn’t want us to be sad that he’s gone but to use his influence on our lives to carry on. 

You can shed tears that he is gone,

or you can smile because he has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back,

or you can open your eyes and see all he’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him,

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him only that he is gone,

or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,

be empty and turn your back.

Or you can do what he’d want:

smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

A Poem for Daddy in Heaven

by: Michele Meleen

It’s comforting to think that even if our fathers may be gone, they’re up there listening to us.

I know you can hear me

way up in heaven

because we talk

through our hearts.

Dear Daddy in heaven

I miss you every day

and I know you miss me too.

No matter how old I get

or how long you’re gone,

I hear you, Daddy,

up in heaven

through the love

in my heart.

God’s Garden

by: Anonymous Author

I never thought of death this way. It’s a very light-hearted and comforting poem, especially if the death is still fresh. 

God looked around his garden- And found an empty place,

He then looked down upon the earth- And saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you -And lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful -He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering -He knew you were in pain.

He knew that you would never – Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough – And the hills were hard to climb.

So he closed your weary eyelids – And whispered, ‘Peace be thine.’

It broke our hearts to lose you – But you didn’t go alone,

For part of us went with you – The day God called you home.

The Broken Chain

by: Ron Tranmer

One day, we’ll be reunited with our father, and what a sweet day that would be.

We little knew the day that

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn’t go alone.

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories.

Your love is still our guide,

And though we cannot see you

You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken

and nothing seems the same,

but as God calls us one by one

the chain will link again. 

Our Father’s Garden

by: Unknown Author

Most of the time, it’s our fathers who’re responsible for planting and nurturing the values we keep. Their loving nature is the perfect nourishment for these seeds to grow.

Our Father kept a garden.

A garden of the heart;

He planted all the good things,

That gave our lives their start.

He turned us to the sunshine,

And encouraged us to dream:

Fostering and nurturing

The seeds of self-esteem.

And when the winds and rain came,

He protected us enough;

But not too much because he knew

We would stand up strong and tough.

His constant good example,

Always taught us right from wrong;

Markers for our pathway that will last a lifetime long.

We are our Fathers garden,

We are his legacy.

Thank you Dad we love you

Life Lessons

by: Joanna Fuchs

In one way or another, dads impart important life lessons onto us. Whether we know it or not, our lives are greatly impacted by how they lived. 

You may have thought I didn’t see,

Or that I hadn’t heard,

Life lessons that you taught to me,

But I got every word.

Perhaps you thought I missed it all,

And that we’d grow apart,

But Dad, I picked up everything,

It’s written on my heart.

Without you, Dad, I wouldn’t be

The (woman)(man) I am today;

You built a strong foundation

No one can take away.

I’ve grown up with your values,

And I’m very glad I did;

So here’s to you, dear father,

From your forever grateful kid.

Memories Of My Dad

by: Rebecca D. Cook

I think I speak for all of us that we think of our dads as being a figure that’s larger than life. We think of them as unstoppable superheroes, capable of overcoming any challenge they face. Our dads may only be humans in essence, but they’re superhuman to us. 

He wasn’t a hero,

Known by the world.

But a hero he was,

To his little girl.

My daddy was God,

Who knew all things.

And better than Santa,

With the gifts he’d bring.

I knew his voice,

Before I could speak.

And loved it when,

He would sing me to sleep.

He changed my diapers,

And sat up all night.

When my body was weak

And I’d put up a fight.

He’d come home late,

With not much to say.

And made us all kneel,

As he taught me to pray.

He taught me life’s lessons,

Of right from wrong.

And instilled in me values,

That I might be strong.

And so through the years,

Like a hero he stood.

Working to give,

All that he could.

His presence was important,

And we loved to see him smile.

For no one in the world,

Could emulate his style.

And so dear Dad,

My best memory to recall.

Is the gift of your presence,

The greatest gift of all.

My Dad

by: Vicky Frye

Every dad should make their children feel that they’re the greatest dad in the world. Some of the most critical years in a person’s life are their formative years, and dads are a huge part of that.

If I could write a story,

It would be the greatest ever told.

I’d write about my daddy,

For he had a heart of gold.

My dad, he was no hero

Known around this world.

He was everything to me,

For I was his baby girl.

I’d write about the lessons.

He taught me right from wrong.

He instilled in me the values

That one day I’d be strong.

He taught me to face my fears,

Take each day as it comes,

For there are things that we can’t change.

He would say what’s done is done.

He would say, hold your head up high,

Carry yourself with pride.

Thanks to him, I am somebody,

I will never run and hide.

If I could write a story,

It would be the greatest ever told.

I’d write about my daddy,

For he had a heart of gold.

Dad

by: Unknown Author

Remember your father because you only have one.

We’ll always remember

That special smile,

That caring heart,

That warm embrace,

You always gave us.

You being there

For Mom and us

Through good and bad times,

No matter what.

We’ll always remember

You Dad because

They’ll never be another one

To replace you in our hearts,

And the love we will always

Have for you

Family Tree

by: Unknown Author

I particularly like this one. It depicts exactly what our late fathers want us to do, and that is to carry on with life and continue his legacy. 

A limb has fallen from the family tree

I hear a voice that whispers, ‘Grieve not for me’

Remember the best times, the laughter, the songs

The good I lived while I was strong

Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you

Keep on smiling, the sun will shine through.

My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest

Remembering all…how I was truly blessed

Continue traditions, no matter how small

Go on with your lives, don’t stare at the wall

I miss you all dearly so keep up your chin

Until that fine day we’re together again.

To My Father

by: Georgia Harkness

This poem beautifully likens a father to a pine tree, magnificent and staunch, unwavering. Like the pine tree, fathers support life, exuding beauty, grace, and power in the process. 

A giant pine, magnificent and old

Stood staunch against the sky and all around

Shed beauty, grace and power.

Within its fold birds safely reared their young.

The velvet ground beneath was gentle,

and the cooling shade gave cheer to passers by.

Its towering arms a landmark stood, erect and unafraid,

As if to say, “Fear naught from life’s alarms.”

It fell one day.

Where it had dauntless stood was loneliness and void.

But men who passed paid tribute – and said,

“To know this life was good,

It left it’ mark on me. Its work stands fast”.

And so it lives. Such life no bonds can hold –

This giant pine, magnificent and old.

A Love Like No Other

by: Paula M. Newman

The comfort and safety our fathers provide us with are like no other. His love is like no other. 

From the time I was born I guess you would know.

Ten perfect fingers and Ten little toes

When you first put your finger in my tiny hand that’s when I first knew

You were my papa no one else would do

As I grow older and reach for the sky

My Papa is still there to keep that twinkle in my eye.

When I need someone to hold me you never say I’m too big

You pick me up and squeeze me and whisper you’re my little kid.

Most other people don’t understand me or maybe just not as well.

That’s why you’re the one I run to when I have something to tell.

I love you Papa as you can see

I’m so glad that you’re a part of me.

My Father, My Father

by: Dakota Ellerton

This poem encapsulates everything a dad does from showing how beautiful the world can be to making his kids prepared for when he has to leave them eventually. 

My father, my father,

I love he,

my father, my father,

made me see,

how beautiful this world really can be.

My father, my father,

said to me,

my daughter my daughter,

come see me,

I wont be around forever, and i have things that must be.

My father, my father,

dont die on me.

Fathers Are Wonderful People

by: Helen Steiner Rice

Fathers truly are wonderful people, but this poem is beautiful in the way it shows how much fathers have to stay strong despite their struggles. 

Fathers are wonderful people

Too little understood,

And we do not sing their praises

As often as we should…

For, somehow, Father seems to be

The man who pays the bills,

While Mother binds up little hurts

And nurses all our ills…

And Father struggles daily

To live up to ‘his image’

As protector and provider

And ‘hero of the scrimmage’…

And perhaps that is the reason

We sometimes get the notion,

That Fathers are not subject

To the thing we call emotion,

But if you look inside Dad’s heart,

Where no one else can see

You’ll find he’s sentimental

And as ‘soft’ as he can be…

But he’s so busy every day

In the grueling race of life,

He leaves the sentimental stuff

To his partner and his wife…

But Fathers are just wonderful

In a million different ways,

And they merit loving compliments

And accolades of praise,

For the only reason Dad aspires

To fortune and success

Is to make the family proud of him

And to bring them happiness…

And like Our Heavenly Father,

He’s a guardian and a guide,

Someone that we can count on

To be always on our side.

You Were There

by: Unknown Author

Our dads were always there for us, but this time they can’t be. 

You were there when we took our first steps,

And went unsteadily across the floor.

You pushed and prodded: encouraged and guided,

Until our steps took us out the door…

You worry now. “Are they ok?”

Is there more you could have done?

As we walk the paths of our unknown

You wonder, “Where have my children gone?”

Where we are is where you have led us,

With your special love, you showed us a way,

To believe in ourselves and the decisions we make.

Taking on the challenge of life day-to-day.

And where we go, you can be sure,

In spirit, you shall never be alone.

For where you are is what matters most to us,

Because to us, that will always be home…

Mirror

by: J. Allen Shaw

I relate to this on a personal level because I look just like my father. Resembling him so much creates an extra heavy burden to carry on his legacy. Be proud to be your father’s son or daughter.

Dad, I am often told I am just like you.

I am honored beyond measure if that is true.

You were the best example of what a man should be.

I am overwhelmed that someone would say that of me.

I never told you enough how proud I am to be called your son,

Now that you are gone, I want to tell everyone.

You gave me much more than a name,

Someday, I hope my son says the same.

Only A Dad

by: Edgar Guest

Often, we forget to thank our dads for everything they do for us. Despite being “only a dad,” we all know he’s much more than that.

Only a dad, with a tired face,

Coming home from the daily race,

Bringing little of gold or fame,

To show how well he has played the game,

But glad in his heart that his own rejoice.

To see him come, and to hear his voice.

Only a dad, with a brood of four,

One of ten million men or more.

Plodding along in the daily strife,

Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,

With never a whimper of pain or hate,

For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,

Merely one of the surging crowd.

Toiling, striving from day to day,

Facing whatever may come his way,

Silent, whenever the harsh condemn,

And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad, but he gives his all.

To smooth the way for his children small,

Doing, with courage stern and grim,

The deeds that his father did for him.

This is the line that for him I pen,

Only a dad, but the best of men.

“Special Hero” by Christina M. Kerschen

Last, but certainly not the least, is a poem that reflects on how safe our fathers make us feel. We should all count our lucky stars for how much our dads have loved us. 

When I was a baby,

you would hold me in your arms.

I felt the love and tenderness,

keeping me safe from harm.

I would look up into your eyes,

and all the love I would see.

How did I get so lucky?

You were the dad chosen for me.

There is something special

about a father’s love.

Seems it was sent to me

from someplace up above.

Our love is everlasting.

I just wanted you to know

that you’re my special hero,

and I wanted to tell you so.