17+ Best Funeral Poems for Dad

We have assembled a collection of 17 of the best funeral poems for Dad to help you celebrate his life and legacy.

(We are quietly confident that you will find a funeral poem that captures how much your Dad has done for you and what he means to you.)

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This first funeral poem celebrates kind, loving and supportive Fathers. 

It is irrelevant how much money our Dad made.  What matters is how he nurtured us.  This poem is perfect for a funeral service because it shows that even after our Father has passed away, we will keep him in our hearts and memory forever.

Father

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

He never made a fortune, or a noise
In the world where men are seeking after fame;
But he had a healthy brood of girls and boys
Who loved the very ground on which he trod.
They thought him just little short of God;
Oh you should have heard the way they said his name –
‘Father.’

There seemed to be a loving little prayer
In their voices, even when they called him ‘Dad.’
Though the man was never heard of anywhere,
As a hero, yet somehow understood
He was doing well his part and making good;
And you knew it, by the way his children had
Of saying ‘Father.’

He gave them neither eminence nor wealth,
But he gave them blood untainted with a vice,
And opulence of undiluted health.
He was honest, and unpurchable and kind;
He was clean in heart, and body, and in mind.
So he made them heirs to riches without price –
This father.

He never preached or scolded; and the rod –
Well, he used it as a turning pole in play.
But he showed the tender sympathy of God.
To his children in their troubles, and their joys.
He was always chum and comrade with his boys,
And his daughters – oh, you ought to hear them say
‘Father.’

Now I think of all achievements ‘tis the least
To perpetuate the species; it is done

By the insect and the serpent, and the beast.
But the man who keeps his body, and his thought,
Worth bestowing on an offspring love-begot,
Then the highest earthly glory he was won,
When in pride a grown-up daughter or a son
Says ‘That’s Father.’

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This next funeral poem, “My Father,” is a highly personal poem about the author’s Father.

Be inspired to write your own version about your Dad.  A funeral poem doesn’t have to rhyme, but each line does have to be full of feeling and meaning.

My Father

By Anita Guindon

He was a jolly little man full of fun and laughter,
He played jokes on his fellow men
And to him it did not matter.
Education he had not,
But what he learned he never forgot.
He wrote what he knew all about cancer
so that someday, there will be an answer.
He joined the Canadian Medical Corps.
And served in the Second World War.
He risked his life, to save others,
This man, that I call my Father.
Seein’ my Father in me is the title of a song
Which I can relate to as I do see my Father in me.
I have a French accent just like my Father,
I love walking, just like my Father,
I love being with people, just like my father.
But most of all, is my love for children, like my Father.

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Our Dads do so much for us.  This funeral poem reflects on all the sacrifices that they make, and wonders if we thanked them enough.

This poem would be a beautiful tribute to give at a traditional funeral service, a memorial service, or even celebration of life ceremony.

As We Look Back

By an Unknown Author

As we look back over time
We find ourselves wondering …..
Did we remember to thank you enough
For all you have done for us?
For all the times you were by our sides
To help and support us …..
To celebrate our successes
To understand our problems
And accept our defeats?
Or for teaching us by your example,
The value of hard work, good judgment,
Courage and integrity?
We wonder if we ever thanked you
For the sacrifices you made.
To let us have the very best?
And for the simple things
Like laughter, smiles and times we shared?
If we have forgotten to show our
Gratitude enough for all the things you did,
We’re thanking you now.
And we are hoping you knew all along,
How much you meant to us.

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“Dad” is a simple poem, but it perfectly captures how irreplaceable a father is, and that he is forever loved.  It is a perfect poem to recite at a celebration of life ceremony, or at a memorial or funeral service.

Dad

By an Unknown Author

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.

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This next funeral poem is one of our favourites.

It compares a father who has passed away to a giant tree that has fallen.  Both provided shelter and safety while they lived, and both left an indelible mark on those around them, even after their passing.

It is sure move all those that attend your Dad’s funeral service.

To My Father

By Georgia Harkness

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’s mark on me. Its work stands fast”.
And so it lives. Such life no bonds can hold –
This giant pine, magnificent and old.

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This funeral poem is about the true meaning of success.  It celebrates Dads who loved their children and who had a positive impact on the world.

A Successful Man

By Bessie Anderson Stanley

That man is a success –
who has lived well, laughed often and loved much;
who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love ofchildren;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who leaves the world better than he found it;
who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it;
who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.

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This moving funeral poem reminds us that our Dad is with us always.  Every beautiful thing that we see and experience will remind us of his love.

We will accept all of life’s challenges because our Dad wisely taught us that challenges help us grow stronger.

Your Spirit – A Tribute to My Father

By Tram-Tiara T. Von Reichenbach

I know that no matter what
You will always be with me.
When life separates us
I’ll know it is only your soul
Saying goodbye to your body
But your spirit will be with me always.
When I see a bird chirping on a nearby branch
I will know it is you singing to me.
When a butterfly brushes gently by me so care freely
I will know it is you assuring me you are free from pain.
When the gentle fragrance of a flower catches my attention
I will know it is you reminding me
To appreciate the simple things in life.
When the sun shining through my window awakens me
I will feel the warmth of your love.
When I hear the rain pitter patter against my window sill
I will hear your words of wisdom
And will remember what you taught me so well
That without rain trees cannot grow
Without rain flowers cannot bloom
Without life’s challenges I cannot grow strong.
When I look out to the sea
I will think of your endless love for your family.
When I think of mountains, their majesty and magnificence
I will think of your courage for your country.
No matter where I am
Your spirit will be beside me
For I know that no matter what
You will always be with me.

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This is a funeral poem that reminisces about all the good times a Daughter had with her Dad.  But it is heavily tinged with sadness that her Father was taken from her all too soon.

Moments Before

By Kelly Horn

Moments before our walk that afternoon,
I realized the path ended too soon.
Not long enough to hold his hand,
this amazing person, this loving man.
Not long enough to engage his eyes
and remember his always brimming with pride.
Not long enough to stand by his side,
as he was by mine after every rough tide.
Not long enough to laugh with him still,
after every bad joke,
after every tough hill.
Not long enough to walk with this man,
who has taught me to be the person I am.
Not long enough as we walked by his wife,
to thank them both for my wonderful life.
In all the walks I’ve taken in my life,
first as a girl and now as a wife,
I’ll remember that walk I took with my father
and always wish it could have been longer.

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This funeral poem expresses the fact that our Dad will always be a part of us and that we will never outgrow our love for him.  It is a popular poem to read at a service for a Father, including funeral services, memorial services, and celebration of life ceremonies.

A Love Like No Other

By Paula M. Newman

From the time I was born
I guess you would know
Ten perfect fingers
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

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“My Father, My Father” expresses how scary it is for a child to loose their Dad, the person who taught them love and how beautiful this world really can be.

My Father, My Father

By Dakota Ellerton

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,
don’t die on me.

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This next funeral poem is the perfect tribute for a Dad who was the strong, silent type, but who provided for his family.  (If you are not having a religious funeral service, you may leave off the last verse, if you are so inclined.)

Fathers are Wonderful People

By Helen Steiner Rice

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 or 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 accolade 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.

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“Dad” is a simple, yet powerful funeral poem.  Dad was there for the family, through good times and bad, and will always be cherished.

Dad

By an Unknown Author

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.

~

The next poem can be used for a Dad’s funeral service, memorial service, or a celebration of life ceremony.

It speaks to the love, care and concern of Moms and Dads for their children.  Everything we have accomplished in life is because of our Father and Mother.

You Were There

By an Unknown Author

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…

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This funeral poem reminds us that our Dad will always be with us, though he will be sorely missed.

His Journey’s Just Begun

By Ellen Brenneman

Don’t think of him as gone away
his journey’s just begun,
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched…
for nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much.

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This next funeral poem is written in a Dad’s gentle voice, comforting those whom he left behind.  It is appropriate for all types of services, from a traditional, religious funeral service, a memorial service, and even celebrations of life.

Weep Not For Me

By an Unknown Author

Weep not for me though I have gone
Into that gentle night
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul’s sweet flight

I am at peace, my soul’s at rest
There is no need for tears
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years

There is no pain, I suffer not
The fear is now all gone
Put now these things out of your thoughts
In your memory I live on

Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death
But celebrate my life

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This funeral poem perfectly articulate how difficult it is to accept that Dad has passed away.  A life without our Father is incomprehensible.

Away

By James Whitcomb Riley
(Poem has been modified for gender.)

I cannot say and I will not say
That he is dead, he is just away.
With a cheery smile and a wave of hand
He has wandered into an unknown land;
And left us dreaming how very fair
Its needs must be, since he lingers there.
And you-oh you, who the wildest yearn
From the old-time step and the glad return-
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of there, as the love of here
Think of him still the same way, I say;
He is not dead, he is just away.

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This funeral poem is a beautiful way to thank your Dad for all the wonderful things that he did for you in his lifetime and let him know how much he impacted your life.