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Funeral Poem for Family

I wrote this poem when my father died. He had a heart condition but we never expected him to go so quickly. He had a massive heart attack while driving his car. Although I am grateful he did not suffer, I never got to say goodbye.

Five Minutes

© Annmarie Campbell
In Memory of My Dad Edward

If I only had five minutes the day you passed away,
I would have had time to tell you all the things I needed to say.

I never got to tell you how much you mean to me,
Or that you were the best dad, better than any man could be.

The last time that I talked to you
I wish I would have known.
I would have said I love you,
and kept you on the phone.

If I only had five minutes,
the morning you passed away,
I'd give you one last hug so tight and see your great big smile.
I'd tell you that I don't think I could live without you,
not even for awhile.
I'd kiss your cheek and take your hand and tell you it's okay to go
And tell you that I'll miss you,
more than you'll ever know.

But you were gone so quickly,
One last car ride you'd take.
Before you even knew it,
you were standing at heavens gate.
Now God has called upon you,
It's time to get your wings.
To leave this life behind you,
And enjoy all of heavens beautiful things.
So wait for me in heaven Dad,
Don't let me come alone.
The day the angels come for me,
Please be there to bring me home.

Dedicated to my dad Edward Hudak - died 8-29-08

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Published: Nov 2008

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  • I really loved this poem. it actually got me all teary eyed. This poem was absoulty beautiful and I'm sure your father is looking down on you smiling. 5stars :)

    Janelle Submitted Feb 2009
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  • My dad died suddenly of a heart attack on Monday. Your poem is a perfect expression of what I am feeling right now and I will be reading it at my father's funeral tomorrow. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for posting your poem.

    Janet Submitted Feb 2009
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  • I'm like Janelle, got me all teary eyed, my kids asked me why I'm crying and I told them I miss my darling brother who pass away in a car accident. thank you very very much for sharing your beautiful memory with us

    kuiposaulala Submitted Mar 2009
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  • Your poem has touched our hearts, my dad died of a massive heart attack whilst my mum was driving him home in their car after a night out. We thank you for your poem and will be using it for the funeral

    Manuela Milosevski Submitted Apr 2009
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  • I am so thankful to you for writing this poem. It says everything I wanted to say, but couldn't put on paper.

    My father passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack while playing with my 4 yr old son. It was such a shock. He was only 55.

    I looked on the internet trying to find the right words to say. I knew I wanted to get up and speak at the funeral, but just couldn't get my words onto paper. When I ran across this I absolutely froze and started to cry. It's perfect!! Once I was done reading it at the funeral I put a copy of it in the casket with him.

    He'll be missed and my heart will forever be broken, but I know he's in heaven playing golf and fishing. Just want he would be doing if he were here.

    Kirsti Carter Submitted Apr 2009
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  • I was very very touched by this poem. I just lost my stepdad at the age of 51. He was driving a truck when he died. Good thing my mom was with him to pull it over. My heart still aches knowing he is gone, but I know he watching above. Thanks for the great poem

    Ken Submitted Apr 2009
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  • I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who posted such kind words. I am so touched. I am so happy that the words I wrote during my time of grief can help so many others during theirs. I am truly touched that you chose my poem to read at your own fathers funerals. God bless you all!

    annmarie Submitted May 2009
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  • My Nan passed away last week very suddenly and I was looking online for a suitable poem to read at her funeral. I came across yours and it really touched me. I hope it's ok that I have used most of the words to read at her funeral tomorrow. My mother and aunt got very emotional when I read it to them, it really says what we feel. Thank-you for the beautiful words, and I'm deeply sorry for your loss.

    Clare Submitted Jun 2009
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  • I loved this poem so muc.
    A month ago at the age of 76, we had 4 days at our dad's side before he passed away. Dad, our angel with golden wings and his smile so bright. he said he has his memory and feels no pain.
    ''he said'' he is making a home for us his family, in heaven above. a beautiful place where we will join him his family of love.
    thank you Annmarie, for waking me up. our family had 4 days with dad to be thankful for. thank you

    carmen Submitted Jul 2009
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  • I loved this poem...my dad just passed this year...he had a heart condition also...I'm sorry to hear about your lost…

    Angie Submitted Sep 2009
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  • I just wanted to tell you I still can't stop crying. I have read hundreds of poems, but this one hit real close to home for me. My father is still around, it is my mother that passed. 2-25-05 is when she left this world and I have been a broken half being since. I read this poem and it's the first time I've been able to really cry since she died. My mother passed away due to a brain aneurism. So she was gone fairly quickly. The thing that shreds my soul is the fact my mother and I had been arguing when it happened. And everyday since then I think that same thought.... if ONLY I had FIVE more minutes and KNEW she was ready to leave this world…

    nicole augustine Submitted Oct 2009
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  • Your poem was very warm and touching. My husbands father passed away of a massive heart attack.

    Sandy, Texas Submitted Nov 2009
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  • I really liked this poem. My mom and I never really get along. She was on drugs all the time. The last day I saw her was the 1st time I could remember her telling me she loved me. I looked at her weird and didn't say it back. Now I can't forgive myself. I wish I could of told her I loved her know matter what. I miss her.

    Thank you for writing such a beautiful poem like this.

    Saterra Submitted Mar 2010
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  • This poem relates to me a lot. My bestfriend past away on March 18 because of heart attack. He was sick in the hospital for about three months his kidney and liver were failing him. The doctors said he was getting better everyday. We took that as a for sure he would get survive and I guess we were wrong. He passed away at age sixteen. The worst thing is that I never got to say goodbye. I'm crying as I'm writing cause it hurts a lot. Your poem its just so beautiful.

    Lupe Ortiz, Maryland Submitted Apr 2010
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  • I have been struggling to write my darling dad's eulogy - he, too, had a massive heart attack while driving his car - thanks to you I have found the words I will say about/to him this Friday.

    Stephanie, California Submitted Aug 2010
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  • I loved this poem so much. it almost made me cry. I'm going to be reading it at my dad's funeral tomorrow, only I'm changing a couple things to fit him and his life. I'm sure you dad is watching over you now and he forever will...

    Annie, Racine WI Submitted Sep 2010
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  • This is such a beautiful poem I'm still crying. I miss my grandpa so much and your poem really hit my heart. I'm sorry for your loss...

    Brinda, San Diego Submitted Oct 2010
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  • This poem was read at a friend of mine's parents funeral. Neither of them passed from a heart attack, but it still fit perfectly. Everytime I read this poem I start crying, even when I think about it. I love this poem and it gives me comfort, even though I wasn't close with them. and I'm sure it also gives some comfort to their 4 children, and other family members, thank you.
    ~Andie

    Andie, UT Submitted Oct 2010
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  • My dad passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2010. This poem expresses everything that I am feeling. I am going to be reading it at his funeral tomorrow. I absolutley love it I give it 5 stars.

    Dianna, Az Submitted Nov 2010
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  • My mom passed away Thanksgiving 2009 and she did the same. She pulled over and called my aunt and was rushed to the hospital but didn't survive. Thank you for your beautiful poem. Even though the words bring tears, I love anything that helps me remember her everyday. Again, Thank you!

    Tanya, Arkansas Submitted Nov 2010
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  • Thank you for this, my dad was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 40. I will be reading this cause it's everything I'm feeling.... we went so long without talking. We just started talking again, just didn't have enough time.

    Ashley, Texas Submitted Jan 2011
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  • That almost made me cry. I lost my step-dad when I was 12 and I never got to see him and I miss him so much . I wish I could have had chance to say goodbye to him. I love the poem ,keep writing more

    Izzy. Oklahoma Submitted Feb 2011
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  • This is a beautiful poem. poem's are the sort of thing's that come to me. I like art and even though this poem is sad and about death, I think that the person who wrote it has a talent.

    Bubbles Submitted Feb 2011
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  • this was a really good poem. made my eyes water. it made me think of my uncle who passed away

    Ge-Off, Bellingham Washington Submitted Apr 2011
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  • thank you for this poem my dad died suddenly last week and I will be reading this with my brother at his funeral next week. xxx

    Fiona, Manchester, Uk Submitted Apr 2011
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  • This poem has touched me because my dad passed way just last year in December 31,2010. I feel that my dad is with me. When he passed away I got a call from Mexico my family told me my Dad passed way in the morning at 5:00 am. I felt that my heart was broken apart. He showed my family and I a lots of things about life and he told us to do our best in life. When he passed way we were not there we live in Texas and he was in Mexico.

    Maria Luisa Ramirez Submitted Jun 2011
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  • Our father died of congestive heart failure. He had been ill for many years. We went to see him on memorial day and he passed away in the hospital on June 3rd. My sister told me she couldn't read past the 5th line from the tears running down. She will try and read this poem tomorrow at the memorial service, I will read it in Spanish. Thank you for helping us in this final good bye to our father. God bless you and comfort you.

    Taina, Ca Submitted Jun 2011
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  • My Pa died of cancer on Jan 14th 2011. He was diagnosed on the 26th June 2010. This poem is so deep and heartfelt, I am crying as I type. It sounds like you were close to your Dad, he knew already the things you wanted to say because he knew how much he was loved. I miss my Dad so much, he was my world. I'm told his loss to us will get easier, I'm still waiting. Thank you for your lovely poem xxx

    Harley G,East Sussex Submitted Jun 2011
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  • My father died last August of a heart attack when he was fishing. I hadn't seen him for a long time and this poem just summed up exactly how I felt.
    I changed it slightly to fit in with my Dads last moments and it was read at my Dad's funeral.
    Its beautiful, makes me cry everytime.
    Thank you so much
    xx

    Aimee, Newcastle Submitted Jun 2011
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  • I love this poem so much. It made me cry. I jus lost my dad three months ago, and till this day, I'm still horn. He had a heart condition, and when I read this poem, I just had to read it at his funeral. I miss him so much, but I know he's still here with me, and watching over me.

    Laurel Ellis, Arkansas Submitted Jul 2011
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  • Thank you for posting this. I will be reading this for my Daddy's candle at my Sweet 16. My dad died of a massive heart attack when I was only 3 years old. It sucks so much that I can't remember anything about him. Stay strong everyone.

    Christina Submitted Aug 2011
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  • This poem really hit @ home. My dad passed away September the 10th, 2011 from a Massive Heart Attack. He was a great man that I will miss very much. It happened so quickly that my whole family was not prepared and we all took it really hard. I love this poem because I really wished I did have those Five Minutes to hold and tell him I loved him so much.

    Christy, Texas Submitted Sep 2011
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  • My father been gone 17 years this Sept 2011, still feels like yesterday, the last time I talked to him was that morning. I called my parents house, he answered, I asked for Mom, and he just handed the phone to her...and I said..dad...dad...durn...hi Mom....I wanted to say more to him...but I went ahead and asked her a question...not realizing..that was the last time I was going to talk to him. He had a massive heart attack, later that evening...
    a very nice poem...I was trying to find a poem for a very close friend that is going thru brain surgery. With maybe another one again...she is totally...sad. and I just wanted to find something for her.

    Lr Gonzales, Jr., Fort Worth, Tx Submitted Oct 2011
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  • Thank you so much for writing this beautiful poem. I used this for my Dad's memory candle at my Sweet 16 last month. He passed when I was 3 years old and this was just such a perfect poem to dedicate to him. Because of the perfection, I lost it halfway through and had to have a friend continue with it (who was also crying). This truly touched many people's hearts at my Sweet 16 and I honestly thank you so much for writing it. It was so perfect for me. <3

    Christina, New Jersey Submitted Oct 2011
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  • My dad was hunting and died of a heart attack out of the blue. I never got to say my good bye's either. But just remember that he is up in heaven and you can talk to him whenever you want. I am actually about to leave to go to my dads funeral right now. If I could read your poem and change a few words like hunting instead of driving I would really appreciate it.

    Tara Submitted Dec 2011
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  • My Dad passed away nine years ago this month. I still miss him terribly and think of him every day. Whenever I have life issues I often find myself saying if only I had my Dad for five more minutes to help me answers life's problems...then I came across this poem when I was looking for a memoriam poem to put in our local paper. Thank you for writing such a perfect poem.

    Sherry , Bc Canadamy Submitted Jan 2012
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  • Actually it's not my story.
    Or I should say I haven't come across this kind of things so far.
    But when I read this poem, it's really touching me! When I am reading the poem, I started to think of what will I do when my dad had been call upon by God one day...
    The poetic technique the poet use is really perfect, I especially like the line
    ''Don't let me come alone.
    The day the angels come for me,
    Please be there to bring me home.''
    It's really touched my heart and made think of the scene when I will be the one in this story.
    I really like this poem and I badly want to share it with everyone I knew.

    Melody Submitted Feb 2012
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  • My pawpaw Rd is in the hospital and they think he won't make it though this week. I hate to have to go though that because he is the most important thing in my life. I always go to his house everyday to spend time with him. I knew the day was coming but I didn't know it was so soon. I LOVE YOU.

    Madison, Pitkin La Submitted Mar 2012
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  • I really love this poem. It reminds my dad's memories. My father passed away 2 years ago, he died because of an asthma and other sickness. In his 63 years of existence, he suffered a lot to fight his sickness. And 2 years until now, I'm still moving on. "If I only had five minutes the day he passed away, I would have had time to tell him all the things I needed to say." Oh Tang, I miss you so much. :(

    Maria Angelina, Manding, Philippines Submitted Apr 2012
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  • This is a beautiful fitting poem for me, my dad died on 14/5/11 in his car he had a massive heart attack, we never got chance to say goodbye, we didn't even know there was anything wrong, he was only 58 and with each and every single day I miss him more and more. Thank you for writing this poem.

    Tracey, Nottingham Submitted Apr 2012
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  • All these stories make me cry and I could especially relate to this one because I would do the same thing if I had 5 mins on the day my dad died. I would hug him, kiss him, tell him I love him, ask him to forgive me because I could not bring him home with me, beg him not to leave.........! His heart rate was dropping so fast until it stopped and I won't even dare to see how he was trying to fight for his life! I wish I could turn back time that I will stay in the hospital 24/7 with my dad so he won't be scared and suffered and he might still be here today. He has dementia and got dehydrated due to the medication (Laxis), then developed other complications and finally caused his death. He was so lovely especially when he talked without putting his denture on. I miss him so much. It hurts when you see him talking and joking in one minute but laying there cold and hard in another minute. I wish he could come to my dream and let me know he is doing fine in Heaven!

    Flora, Houston, Texas Submitted Apr 2012
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  • I lost my dad 5 weeks ago on the 17th March 2012, he was probably living on borrowed time but we didn't expect him to go when he did, I feel so lucky and privileged that he was my dad and I got to care for him for a 1.5 years even though he was in and out of hospitals, I was able to show him how much I loved him when he needed it most, sorry for all your losses x you realize reading these comments you're not alone, it helps you to get through another day even though you feel you have nothing to get up for anymore, the best poem I've read thank you xx

    Debbie, South Glamorgan Wales Submitted Apr 2012
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  • Your poem is beautiful. My dad dropped dead one day when I was at school, completely out of the blue and not even the post mortem told us how he died. You've put into words how I feel so thank you very much. It was 8 years on the 15th.

    Jen, Bristol, England Submitted 6/17/2012
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  • What a great poem! I hadn't talked to my dad in seven years - God knows I tried to get back in touch with him, but due to certain circumstances, he didn't want anything to do with me. As time went on, my mother, sister, brother and son sided with him and I found out last week through a friend that he had passed after a battle with cancer. He was in and out of the hospital for several months and if I would of been notified, I would have been by his bedside or on the phone with him. It has only been a week since his passing, but it hurts...not have been able to say goodbye or kiss him as he lay in his coffin. I will miss him dearly as I remember the good times we had.

    Eva, Asheville, Nc Submitted 7/26/2012
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  • Hi.. I just wanted to.tell.you that your poem is beautiful. My dad passed away this year in August. He was in a horrible car crash . So the part about taking one last car ride really touched me. Thank you :)... - Ashley

    Ashley, California Submitted 11/9/2012
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  • My Daddy passed in a terrible car accident in 2000. I am a Daddy's Lil Girl, and the pain of that day still exists! I live that horrible mornings event over every night in my dreams! I went through 2 years of deep depression and denial. To this day I still have trouble discussing what happened or him not being here. Your Poem has touched me in so many different ways it's hard to describe. I, myself am going through a hard medical time and have been deemed to make it, maybe 2 years. The last part of your poem is what I Pray for every night, I ask the LORD to have my Daddy waiting for me and not to let me be alone.
    Thank You so much for sharing such a hard time in your life. This is an amazing, elegant, sweet, sensitive poem.

    Daisie, Tennessee Submitted 11/23/2012
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  • Great lines, thank you so much! This poem made me cry for long time, I feel each and every line. My father passed away 11 months back, when I was in US. He just got out of his car and walked into hospital, but within 10 mins he died. Still I couldn't believe he is no more in this world. When will I see him again???

    Prabaharan Manivel, India Submitted 12/14/2012
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