# Readings

## Purpose

Some people respond strongly to the written word and these participants benefit greatly from a reading.  Readings invite mourners to express their emotions. 

Did your loved one have a favorite book or poem? Were they a person of faith who would want passages read?

Readings are a source of collective meaning-making. 

They can provide a north star / philosophy / guide rail.

They convey a message to connect with the person who passed or connect with a way to view life or teaches a lesson. “This is a way to look at the world”\
\
Searching for a reading is a good way to think about the emotions and sentiments you want to express. 

## Ideas

**Incorporate a passage from a favorite book or a favorite poem**

To personalize the memorial, incorporate a passage from your loved one’s favorite book or from a favorite poem.

**Find a Popular Poem or Reading**

Here are some ideas

* [Top 10 poems for a funeral ceremony](https://www.funeralbasics.org/top-10-poems-funeral-ceremony/)
* [Excerpts to recite at a funeral](https://www.lantern.co/articles/10-poems-and-excerpts-to-recite-at-a-funeral)
* [Inspiring funeral readings](https://www.funeralocity.com/blog/2018/05/29/10-inspiring-funeral-readings/)
* [Funeral poems](https://www.sympathymessageideas.com/funeral-poems/)
* [Funeral readings](https://www.stylist.co.uk/books/funeral-readings-literature-poetry-bereavement-poems-roald-dahl-childrens-winnie-the-pooh-charlottes-web-shakespeare-jane-austen/128900) 
* [Join Cake - Funeral Readings](https://www.joincake.com/blog/funeral-readings/)
* [Stoneletters - Funeral Readings](https://stoneletters.com/blog/funeral-readings)
* [The Inspired Funeral - Readings](https://theinspiredfuneral.com/readings)
* [Lasting Post - Funeral Poems](https://www.lastingpost.com/funeral-poems/)
* [Family Friend Poems](https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poems/death/funeral/)
* [Bustle - Non Religious Funeral Readings](https://www.bustle.com/articles/152207-16-non-religious-funeral-readings-from-poems)
* [Off Beat Home - Funeral Readings](https://offbeathome.com/funeral-readings/)
* [Grief Poems](https://elliesway.org/poems?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-r71BRDuARIsAB7i_QN7aQZ1Cmja2D4tLkpXNrGzuHZy_A2dxzNi_MVJOpASN8s5hnsbHJ0aAnlMEALw_wcB)
* [Ever Loved - Top Funeral Poems ](https://everloved.com/articles/funeral-readings/top-funeral-poems/)
* [St. James Funeral Readings](https://stjamesmac.com/uploadsdocuments/FuneralReadings.pdf)
* [Love Lives On - Funeral Poems](https://www.loveliveson.com/funeral-poems/)