Funerals can truly be augmented by a poem that is apt and fitting for the person you have just lost. The following list of funeral poems about animals are perfect for someone who had plenty of furry and feathered friends.
Animal Lover
‘She’ Version
by Mark Gregory
Rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, and birds
Dogs, and cats, and everything furred
An interest in creatures in others she stirred
And through illness, she went on, undeterred.
Hers was a life full of kindness and heart,
She was selfless, private, but always played her part
Caring for animals to her was like art,
And her example inspired many others to start.
She loved to pop out for a walk or a stroll,
But illness and age in the end took its toll
Her passing will leave in our lives a great hole,
She’ll be missed as a wonderfully generous soul.
‘He’ Version
by Mark Gregory
Rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, and birds
Dogs, and cats, and everything furred
An interest in creatures in others he stirred
And through illness, he went on, undeterred.
His was a life full of kindness and heart,
He was selfless, private, but always played his part
Caring for animals to him was like art,
And his example inspired many others to start.
He loved to pop out for a walk or a stroll,
But illness and age in the end took its toll
His passing will leave in our lives a great hole,
He’ll be missed as a wonderfully generous soul.
Fly
by Robert Longley
Stand upon the mountain
Raise your wings up high
Cast aside the chains of fear
Trust and you will fly.
Rejoice now in the knowledge
Returned to you this day
You’ve always had the power
To simply fly away.
So dance with me this evening
Above the lands below
The clouds provide our dance floor
Neath the light of those we know.
The earth provides the music
To set your spirit free
You only need to trust yourself
Fly! And you will see.
If (Pigeon-Fancier Version)
adapted from the original by Rudyard Kipling
If you can leave a warm and cosy fireside,
When winter winds, nigh chill you to the bone,
To feed and scrape at morning, night or noontide,
Yet utter not a grumble or a groan.
If you can stand for hours with teeth a chatter,
When parted hens decide that they will roam.
And smiling, say, “It doesn’t really matter,
I only hope that they will all come home”.
If you can scan the skies in dreary weather,
And do not feel downhearted when you say,
It’s dark now, and I haven’t got a feather,
Yet you know that there are several on the day.
If you can spare a handful for a stray one,
And room at night to rest its weary frame.
Count not the cost of what it eats, begrudge none,
But hope someone will treat yours just the same
If you can lend a hand, when hand is needed,
And with your clubmates, you can take your turn,
So, marking, clocking, checking can be speeded,
And each and every job you thus will learn.
If you can join the throng at payout dinner,
And laugh and joke and join in all the fun,
And really mean it when you clap each winner,
Yet know fulwell that you have nowt to come.
If in this way you see yourself reflected,
And all these things you have already done.
A pigeon fancier there can be detected,
And what is more, a good one, too, my son.
To access our full list of funeral poems, click here.
All poems featured on this website are free to use during any ceremony, although it is good practice to make sure the author is mentioned, if known. Should you require a celebrant for your ceremony, be it a funeral, a wedding, a naming ceremony or something else, feel free to get in touch. I am a double award-nominated Family and Funeral Celebrant covering the entire UK, and would be happy to help you commemorate in a meaningful and personal way.
