Funeral Memorial Poem – Epitaph on my own Friend By Robert Burns
Read by Marc Lemezma Funeral Celebrant
Sometimes poetry benefits from brevity.
This is such a piece, it is wonderfully written and magically succinct. Easy enough for anyone, even a grieving relative, to attempt with minimal trepidation.
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:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.
Can I share or use this poetry? All the poems I share on my website or social media have been in the public domain and are sometimes used at funerals. Wherever known, I do give credit and thanks to the author. If you know the author of any I have marked as ‘unknown’, then let me know, and I will amend the page. If you chose to share or use the poetry at a funeral or memorial service, please give the author credit. Many of these poems are original to me; please feel free to share those or use them if they seem right for your service. All I ask is that you give credit to the author.