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Eulogy For A Loved One

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I wrote this poem in 2019 and published it on-line under its official title Pagan Eulogy, a non-religious nature inspired alternative. The poem remains my most read poem and has also been reviewed and featured on other sites. Earlier this month (July 2024) my dad passed away and my mum wanted it to be read out, which my brother bravely did, at my dad’s funeral. For our service, I renamed it Poem for Dad and adjusted it appropriately and I thought I would share it on PS. Below it is the original published version.

Poem for Dad

Of flesh and blood
that nature gives to our breath
must one day be given back
for life was lent by Earth's hand
and now it is returned

Dad though lives always in us

He is the movement of the swaying tree
The light that dawns our day
He is the sparkle glistening on the sea
The energy of the wave
He is the melody of the singing bird
The notes that flutter down
He is the rustling leaves that can be heard
The greening of the ground

All that was
that nature gave
became our love, our life, our friend

All that was
that nature gave
through us need never end

Dad, we return nature's gift
with the privilege such a gift was given


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Origingal Version: (by Clive Culverhouse)

Pagan Eulogy

[He/She as appropriate]

Of flesh and blood
that nature gives to our breath
must one day be given back
for life was lent by Earth's hand
and now it is returned

(The Deceased) though lives always in us

She is the movement of the swaying tree
The light that dawns our day
She is the sparkle glistening on the sea
The energy of the wave
She is the melody of the singing bird
The notes that flutter down
She is the rustling leaves that can be heard
The greening of the ground

All that was
that nature gave
became our love, our life, our friend

All that was
that nature gave
through us need never end

(The deceased) , we return nature's gift
with the privilege such a gift was given

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