Funerals are more difficult to arrange than weddings. Hearts are sore and only the best poetry will comfort. Poems must be chosen to match the occasion, e.g. whether the funeral is for a man or a woman, and whether old age has been reached. There is little in the way of tradition outside the liturgies.

Whether the service is presented by a clergyman or other religious figure, a humanist celebrant or whether you do it yourself (only to be attempted if you have experience of something similar), dignity and sensitivity are essential, and the whole should be planned with the chief mourners. Look for favourite poems of the person for whom the service is being held, poems about their favourite places in Scotland perhaps. Don’t fall into the trap of choosing poems about funerals, and be wary of poems about death. Here is a sample of poems to choose from, chosen for dignity, seriousness, reflectiveness and sound. For additional poems you could search our archives on the SLC website, consult relatives, or ask for poems in Scots at your library.

Examples of well-kent poems I did not choose include The Flytin o Life an Death by Hamish Henderson (rather long and serious rather than comforting I thought), and The Ballad of Sir Patrick Spens (on the uncertainties of life, true, but its definite and interesting story would distract from the business of the occasion, to celebrate and remember a particular life).

Poems in Scots must be read by someone who has the voice for them. As with weddings, these are private occasions and you can use (or adapt) any text you wish. Download the pdf for the full text of our suggested poems.

Gude Night, and Joy be wi ye All by Alexander Boswell

The Cypress and the Yew by Robert Allan

Farewell to Ayrshire by Robert Burns

Ane by Ane by George MacDonald

The Licht Nichts by Violet Jacob

21st Psalm, Shepherd’s Version by Catherine Harvey

Crowdieknowe by Hugh MacDiarmid

The Tryst by William Soutar

Time’s Gane Oot by Duncan Glen

Safe Hame by George Harvie

Hairst by Margaret Gillies Brown

Eftir Somebody’s Daith by Robert Garioch

Hurlygush by Maurice Lindsay

Ettrick by Lady John Scott

Life by Hamish Scott