Poems, Readings & Music

Poems, readings, and music are an important part of many funerals, helping to bring comfort, reflection, and personal meaning to the service. Families often choose words or songs that express feelings of love, hope, or remembrance, or that reflect the personality and values of their loved one. Whether it’s a favourite hymn, a meaningful piece of music, a Bible passage, or a treasured poem, these elements help create a service that is unique, heartfelt, and memorable.

Questions

  • No — poems, readings, and music are not required at a funeral. Some families choose to include them as a way of bringing comfort, meaning, and personal reflection, while others prefer to keep the service simple without them. It’s entirely up to you and what feels right for honouring your loved one.

  • Yes — family and friends are very welcome to take part in readings at a funeral. Many families find it meaningful to have loved ones read a poem, passage, or tribute, as it adds a personal and heartfelt touch to the service. If someone feels nervous about reading, your celebrant, minister, or funeral director can offer support and guidance to help them feel comfortable.

  • If you’re unsure what poems, readings, or music to choose, you don’t have to decide alone. Your funeral director or celebrant can provide suggestions and examples that many families find comforting and meaningful. Together, we can help you find words and music that reflect your loved one’s life, values, and personality, making the service feel personal and fitting.

  • Yes — poems, readings, and music can be fully personalised to reflect your loved one’s life and personality. Many families choose favourite songs, meaningful Bible passages, or poems that hold special memories. Others may select something that reflects a hobby, a sense of humour, or a unique part of their story. These personal touches help make the service truly individual and a heartfelt celebration of their life.

  • Providing recorded music is simple — your funeral director will guide you through the process. Most crematoria and churches have systems in place for playing music, and they usually accept it via CD, USB stick, or through an online library such as Wesley or Obitus. We’ll make sure your chosen pieces are ordered correctly, tested in advance, and ready to play on the day, so you don’t need to worry.

At Evans & Son Funerals, we understand how meaningful poems, readings, and music can be in creating a service that truly reflects your loved one’s life. We’re here to guide and support you every step of the way — whether you already have special pieces in mind or you’re unsure where to start.

We can provide suggestions for popular poems, Bible passages, and non-religious readings, as well as a wide range of music choices that other families have found comforting. If you’d like friends or relatives to take part, we’ll help coordinate this with the celebrant or minister, ensuring they feel supported and confident on the day. We’ll also take care of the practical side, from arranging live music with an organist or singer to preparing recorded pieces and making sure they’re ready to play during the service.

Our role is to make the process simple and reassuring, so the words and music chosen feel personal, heartfelt, and fitting to your loved one.