Funeral poems by Robert Burns: classic Scottish memorial poetry
Explore 6 beautiful and moving poems by "the Ploughman Poet" Robert Burns that could be read at a funeral.
Robbie Burns went by many names: Rabbie Burns, the Bard and the Ploughman Poet. His poetry was just as varied.
He wrote stories in verse. He wrote comic and political poems. And he wrote poetic letters and poems about animals. One of his most famous is "To a Mouse".
However, Burns is perhaps best known for his songs and lyrical poetry. Some of these poems can make for moving readings at the funeral of a loved one.
Robert Burns was born in a small cottage in Alloway, Ayrshire. His parents were poor tenant farmers. His early life combined education with hard farm work, which helped earn him the nickname "the Ploughman Poet".
He was also known for his proud use of the Scots language. His work often explored ideas such as equality and human dignity.
Some of the poems we've included here are well known. Others are less familiar. We hope one of them feels right for you and can form part of the funeral service you're planning.
1. Song [Ae fond kiss, and then we sever]
Robert Burns wrote many love songs. This famous poem was first published in 1792. It's a powerful account of love, loss and heartbreak.
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, and then for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee. –
2. Epitaph on my own Friend
This is a popular choice for funeral readings. It is a simple and touching tribute to a friend, although it could also work for a family member:
An honest man here lies at rest,
As e'er God with His image blest:
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth...
The closing lines take an open-minded view of what happens after death. This could make the poem suitable for a humanist or non-religious funeral:
If there's another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.
Read "Epitaph on my own Friend" in full.
3. Untitled [Oh wert thou in the cauld blast]
This poem is about wanting to protect someone you love. Burns describes offering them comfort and shelter from harsh weather:
Oh wert thou in the cauld blast,
On yonder lea, on yonder lea;
My plaidie to the angry airt,
I'd shelter thee, I'd shelter thee…
That sense of love and protection can give the poem a special meaning at a funeral.
4. A verse composed and repeated by Burns
This short poem first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening Courant in 1792. Burns had composed it in the Highlands five years earlier.
It is a funny poem about Burns’s love of Highland hospitality. That could make it a good funeral reading for someone who loved Scotland or the Highlands – especially if they would have enjoyed a joke about Heaven.
Here's the full poem:
When death's dark stream I ferry o'er,
A time that surely shall come;
In Heaven itself, I'll ask no more,
Than just a Highland welcome.
5. A Red, Red Rose
This poem is famous for its opening lines:
My luve is like a red, red rose,
That’s newly sprung in June.
The rest of the poem goes much further, though. It soon becomes a powerful promise of lasting love. That can give it a special meaning when someone has died:
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun!
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
For that reason, it may be especially suitable for the funeral of a husband, wife or partner.
Read "A Red, Red Rose" in full.
6. A Mother's Lament for Her Son's Death
Many of Burns’s poems have been set to music. Burns himself praised the tune linked with this poem, written by John Riddell.
The poem is written from the point of view of a mother grieving for her son:
The mother-linnet in the brake
Bewails her ravish'd young;
So I, for my lost darling's sake,
Lament the live-day long.
It is a very personal poem about the pain of losing a child. However, the closing lines may not feel right for every funeral, so it is worth reading the full poem before choosing it.
Read "A Mother's Lament for Her Son's Death" in full.
How to choose a funeral poem
When someone dies, there's a lot to do – and it can be difficult to know where to start. This is often the case with choosing a poem, song or reading for a funeral.
Many funeral directors, including us, can help you choose a reading. But if you would like to make the choice yourself, there are a few things to think about.
First, try to find a poem that reflects the person who died. What were they like? What mattered to them? What will people remember about them?
A poem that feels personal can often mean more than one that was written specifically for funerals.
It is also worth thinking about the tone you want. Some funerals are quiet and traditional. Others focus more on celebrating the person’s life. A poem can be sad, comforting, funny or uplifting.
The person who died may also have had a favourite poet or poem. Choosing something they loved can be a simple way to feel close to them during the service.
There's no single right choice. But it is worth thinking about length, especially if there are several readings. In many cases, a short poem can have the greatest impact.
Akshardham Funeral Directors is an independent funeral director based in London. We provide a compassionate service and a listening ear at every stage of the process. If you need our support, please call whenever you're ready on 020 8355 7876. Our lines are always open.
