Grief Poetry and Art Books

These grief poetry and art books can be used as a comfort when grieving, to find poems for use in memorial services or funerals, or for sending as messages of sympathy.  

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The Art of Losing - Poems of Grief and Healing

Poet Kevin Young has put together a collection of 150 beautiful poems around the theme of grief and loss.  He has chosen an original and interesting collection, including some old favourites as well as a good selection of more contemporary poets.  There should be something for everyone.  

Poetry can be a great help in helping you come to terms with grieving the loss of a loved one, and this book is a good place to start.  

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The Complete Book of Funeral Planning, Readings and Music

As well as all the advice you will ever need on planning a funeral, this book has a wide range of readings, poems and prose as well as religious readings from the Bible.  It also includes ideas for funeral music.  

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Poetry for Funerals - Kate Armon and Craig Smith 

This wonderful book of poems written by the authors - both funeral celebrants - is designed for you to pick a poem and customise it for your own loved one. 

They were bespoke poems written with specific people in mind, but each one has tips to show you how to personalise it to honour your beloved person who has passed away. 

There are lots of styles from inspirational to humorous and light-hearted.  Many poems are interest based, so if your loved one was into horses, or gardening, or camping, there will be the perfect poem for them. 

You'll be sure to find something that speaks to you in this collection. 

An excellent resource for celebrants and funeral directors as well as those farewelling their relative or friend. 

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Funeral Poems, Death, Grief and Loss Poetry - Michael Ashby

This book contains all the classic funeral poems by authors such as Shakespeare, Tennyson, Rossetti, Shelley as well as many modern ones too.  Michael Ashby is, himself, one of the most well-known modern funeral poets and he includes many of his own poems too, such as 'I want to be buried with my mobile phone' and other favourites.  A great read for comfort and solace, as well as a fantastic resource for any celebration of life service. 

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Days with my Father by Philip Toledano

I warn you I wept buckets when I read this book.  Or more accurately read and looked at the photographs.  This book is 80% photographs, 20% moving commentary on how the author slowly came to terms with his aging father's memory loss.  His mother had died in 2006, but his father didn't know this much of the time, as the moment he came back from the funeral, he had already forgotten.  Moving, expressive and highly emotional, Phillip Toledano's photographs chronicle the last days of his father.  It is sad, but he also finds humour and beauty in what is a painful journey.

I may have wept buckets, but I was weeping for the sheer humanity and love that shines through every word and every image in this very special tribute of a son to his father. 

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Emerging Voices by Laurel D Rund

Expressing yourself creatively can be cathartic and help you work through the emotions of grief and this author has done just that.  This book can also be used as a journal for you to write your own thoughts.  

This book is a feast for the eyes and the soul, which guides you through the author’s journey of grief.  It also serves as an inspiration for your own creativity by leaving space between the artworks and poems for those who wish to use the book as a journal and a place to explore their own thoughts and feelings. 

On her journey through grief Laurel has contemplated many of the universal feelings that we all go through when recovering from a major loss in our lives.  Her beautiful poems show how she learns and grows as time goes on, and gets in touch with the essence of who she is.  Through her poetry she is able to express her grief and move on with her life.   She has included some lovely artworks incorporating uplifting quotes chosen from a range of writers. 

Finally, the book includes a number of articles telling Laurel’s story.   Many may feel that the poetry and art could have stood on its own, while others will appreciate the honesty and candour that have gone into the telling of Laurel’s loss of her husband and gradual re-building of her life. 

If you’re not keen on journaling or don’t want to deface the book by writing in it, you might find the blank pages a bit of a waste, but if you enjoy poetry you may well find this book a great comfort. 

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Find out more on Writing through your Grief

Expressing Grief through Art, Music, Dance and Theatre

Some Beautiful Grief Poems

More Books on Grief

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