Funeral Poem for Family

My dad struggle for almost 6 years with the devastating disease, Alzheimer's. He was only 61 years old when he passed. He had early onset Alzheimer's, which is rare. I wrote this poem the day after he passed and it was read at his funeral.

Dear Dad

© Sarah A. Sumner
Dear Dad, We love you,
We miss you so much
Your love and your kindness
Your soft gentle touch

If we had to live life over
We would choose you once more
If it meant losing you again
It's worth all the tears in the world.

While our hearts are now filled
With sadness and tears
We had many good memories
You will always be near

The day that you left us
Tears fell from the sky
Our hearts filled with sorrow
Your final goodbye

For years you did fight
And struggled to stay here
But you sent us a sign
When the end was quite near

Thank you for sending
That white butterfly our way
Your soul is at peace
And not far away

Your body has died
But your spirit lives strong
In each one of us
Where it forever belongs

Your time here was short
We wish you could stay
But they need you upstairs
The angels called you their way

Spread your wings and fly
Up to heaven you go
No longer will you suffer
Down on earth here below

They won’t hear you coming
So softly you walk
When you get up to heaven
Make sure that you knock

You struggle no longer
You are free of pain
Your mind is clear
And call us by name

You can play tennis once more
Through the woods you can bike
Drive where ever you please
Up the mountain you may hike

In the breeze we hear your whisper
Feel your warmth from the sun
Upon the lake we see your reflection
In the stream we see you run

Until the day comes
That we cross over too
Our family will not be complete
Until we meet that day with you


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Published: Aug 2008

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  • AS I read this poem I cried not because it was sad but because it touched me. I lost my dad at the age of 15, and he was in his mid 40's. I never thought anyone knew how I felt but as I read this poem everything that I said in my heart was here. Losing a daddy at a young age can be painful, but look to the clouds because you know he's watching and when the gates open I know he will be sitting right there at the gate ready to greet me I love my father more than life itself and when he was called home I could've died. but I know my father would have wanted me to live so people can see the child he raised and so I can shine through him and I just LOVE THIS POEM!!!

    Kinah Submitted Aug 2008
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  • I lost my sister yesterday and her funeral is Friday, I plan to use this poem with a few alterations at her funeral.
    thank you

    COLIN Submitted Dec 2008
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  • I've lost many loved ones close to me in my lifetime and every poem that is heartwarming like this one is, touches my heart. I've written many poems myself, but have shared only with family and friends. Ms. Sumner, you have a gift and I hope that you find some brightness to set to pen for you can now be a source of hope for others to be strong and find so much beauty left in this world because of the experiences we are able to endure and learn from here. God Bless you and keep writing.

    Ethelann Submitted Sep 2009
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  • Sarah
    This is a beautiful poem to honor your father. I am 60 years old and know that I would be honored to have one of my daughters write such a beautiful poem. I hope the poem helps you in healing from grief.
    Larry

    Larry Powers Submitted Sep 2009
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  • This poem touched me, you see my dad passed away three years ago of M.S and we saw him suffer too and I wrote many poems about my dad too so this one really hit home. I am sorry about your loss I know how it feels, and writing does help.

    jennay Submitted Sep 2009
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  • My dad passed away at the early age of 29 he was battling cancer his whole life it finally reached his brain and soon after that he died this poem makes me cry every time I read it and I think of him

    Mckayla Suressi Submitted Jul 2010
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  • I was touched by this. My dad died just three months ago, and this poem described how I felt. He had cancer for five years.

    Hazel, San Jose Submitted Aug 2010
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  • I lost my grandfather not to long ago from Alzheimer's. He was suffering from it for over ten years. I'm fifteen, and I don't have many memories with him... I miss him very much

    Katie, USA Submitted Nov 2010
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  • It was my fathers 16 anniversary this Sunday gone. My siblings every year arrange a prayer reading in my fathers name at the local temple. I live 250 miles away and don't always attend. At times I don't know how or what to feel -but I know I cannot forget and need to make a some acknowledgment with them of his life if not death on the day. I edited a few paragraphs of this poem and texted to them. It made me realize his spirit does live on in all of us, his children. Thank you

    Satnam Submitted Feb 2011
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  • This poem had touched me, you see me dad had died 3 months ago and the pain is still hard to bear. I'm only 14, was 13 when he died and he was only 37. He had died a month before my birthday and 20 days before Christmas. He was suffering from Undiagnosed disease for 10 years, until finally 2 months before he had died they told him and my mom he had cancer. They were going to tell me and my 2 other siblings (I'm the oldest) after Christmas, but he never got the chance. This poem is like speaking about my dad. I love the poem and I think my dad would of loved it too

    Shannon,Canada Submitted Mar 2011
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  • This poem touched me deeply, my dad pasted away Oct 30,2006. He battled cancer for 2 years-7 months before he passed. He was a very strong person and he fought so hard but in the end he just got tired. I miss him so very much, life's not been the same with out him here, I've got no more straight left inside with out him beside me telling me that everything's going to be alright. I love you daddy and wish you were here.

    Trina Herington Submitted Mar 2011
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  • Kicked me right in the chest. lost my beloved father 12.23.07 I know he is not resting because his family has turned on his one precious gift.. me.. born on his birthday 28 years and one minute apart. it tears me up. destroyed me.. maybe it would not have broke me as bad if I didn't see it. dropped dead at my feet...

    Juneland Ranch Submitted Jan 2012
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  • This Poem made me cry! I am a 20 years old young boy and my daddy passed when I was just a 6 months old baby:( I miss him in my life:(

    Unknown Submitted Apr 2012
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  • I am sixteen and my grandmother passed away two days ago. Her funeral is this Wednesday.
    My grandmother and I were very close when I was younger and I loved her very much.
    The last eighteen years of her life she has struggled, from pain, emotionally and physically.
    But now, she is no longer in pain and that sets my heart at rest for now.
    We share the same birthday, 3rd April.
    That day is something I that will always keep her beautiful memories in my heart.
    Greta Clarke- 3rd April 1922- 12th May 2012.
    RIP gran, I will always love you.

    Forster, Great Lakes Submitted May 2012
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  • My father passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. This poem could not express any better my feelings and emotions right now. It is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing such touching words. I know that I am not alone in my grief. I don't know you, but we share a bond, that is the everlasting unconditional love for our fathers. May God continue to bless your family.

    Mandy Submitted Jun 2012
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