Short answer: Short readings can give grief a voice when your own words fail. This page offers a few well-known public-domain texts, including Psalm 23, Ecclesiastes 3, Henry Scott Holland and Christina Rossetti, with tips for choosing and reading them. Many families also write their own words, which is just as welcome.
This page offers general information and cannot replace professional care. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).
How do I choose a reading for a funeral or a quiet evening?
Start with the person. What did they love? What would they have smiled at? A reading does not need to be grand. Often a short, honest passage lands best.
Then think about who will hear it. If guests hold different beliefs, a reading about love, memory or the seasons of life may fit everyone. If the family shares a faith, a passage from scripture or a familiar prayer may bring comfort.
- Keep it short, ideally under two minutes.
- Choose words you can read aloud without stumbling.
- Ask a friend to read if you think emotion will be too strong.
- Print the text in the program so guests can follow.
What are some well-known public-domain readings?
These texts are in the public domain, so you can print and read them freely. Wording differs slightly between editions.
Psalm 23 (King James Version, public domain)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 4 (King James Version, public domain)
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Henry Scott Holland, 'Death is nothing at all' (1910, public domain; opening lines, as commonly shared)
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away to the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. All is well.
Christina Rossetti, 'Remember' (public domain; opening lines)
Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Can I write my own prayer or words?
Yes. Your own words often mean the most. You do not have to be a writer. A few honest sentences can be enough.
Try this simple shape: say the person's name, say one thing you are grateful for, say one thing you will miss, and end with a wish or a blessing. Read it aloud once before the service.
If you pray in your own tradition, you may find comfort in familiar words from your faith community. We do not reprint modern prayers here, since many are protected by copyright. Your clergy or congregation can share them.
How can I use readings outside a funeral?
Readings can help on ordinary evenings, too. You might read a short passage before bed, on an anniversary or when a wave of grief arrives.
- Copy a favorite line onto a card and keep it in your pocket or by the bed.
- Read a passage aloud while you light a candle.
- Share a reading with a friend or family member by message.
- Add a reading to a memorial page, a card or a photo book.
If a reading feels hollow or hurts, put it down. Comfort cannot be forced, and that is all right.
How do I read aloud at a service?
- Practice at home, once or twice, out loud.
- Print the text in a large font and bring a copy, even if you plan to memorize it.
- Speak more slowly than feels natural. A pause is fine.
- Hold a glass of water close, and breathe before you begin.
- If you cry, stop, breathe and continue when ready. Guests will understand.
If you are worried you will not manage, ask a friend to stand beside you and take over if needed. Many people find this makes it easier to begin.
What if I want a reading from my own tradition?
Your clergy member, congregation or community can suggest readings that fit your faith. Many traditions have psalms, verses, songs or prayers traditionally used at funerals. You can ask what is customary and which texts you may print.
If your family includes people from different backgrounds, you can include one short reading from each, or choose a reading that speaks about love and memory. See our interfaith page for ideas.
How do I find other readings I can use?
Libraries, places of worship and funeral homes often have collections of readings. Look for poems and passages published long ago, since those are more likely to be in the public domain. As a rule, works published in the United States before 1931 are generally in the public domain, but check the specific text before printing it widely.
You can also look at your own bookshelves. A line from a favorite novel, a letter the person wrote, a recipe card or a child's drawing can be a powerful reading. Personal words are never in doubt.
If you use a modern poem or song, check copyright. Short quotes for a private service are usually fine, but printing a whole poem or posting it online may need permission.
Frequently asked questions
Are these readings free to use?
Yes. The texts quoted here are in the public domain. Check the edition if you quote more than the lines shown.
Can I read a poem that is still under copyright?
For a private service, reading aloud is usually fine. For printing, recording or sharing publicly, you may need permission, so check first.
How long should a reading be?
Usually one to two minutes. Short readings are easier to follow and to deliver.
What if I cannot read aloud?
Ask a friend or relative to read, or have the funeral director or celebrant do so.
How do I plan an interfaith funeral or memorial service?
An interfaith service blends elements from more than one tradition, and the key is open conversation with family and the people leading the service. Decide what matters most to your loved one and to each family member, such as readings, prayers, music, or rituals. Some officiants are experienced at interfaith ceremonies, and some venues are open to guest clergy. What to do: speak with one or two officiants about their approach, share a draft program with family before the day, and keep the service simple and respectful of each tradition represented.
Do all religions allow cremation?
No single answer applies to every religion, and practices vary by tradition and by community. Some faiths accept cremation, some discourage or limit it, and others leave the choice to the family. Different branches or congregations within the same religion may also hold different views. Because of this variation, it is best not to assume, and a respectful question to a faith leader is almost always welcome. What to do: ask your clergy member, faith leader, or a trusted elder about your tradition's guidance, and tell the funeral provider about any religious requirements so arrangements can respect them.
How soon after a death are funeral services held in different traditions?
Timing varies widely by tradition, family, and logistics, and there is no single rule. Some communities hold services within a day or two, while others wait several days to allow relatives to travel. Local laws, medical examiner involvement, and cemetery schedules can also affect timing. Because customs differ, check with your own community, and remember that many families adjust timing to fit travel and the availability of the officiant, the venue, and the cemetery. What to ask: ask your clergy or community leader about customary timing, tell the funeral provider early about any time preferences, and confirm what flexibility the provider and cemetery have.
Who can officiate a funeral if our family is not religious?
A funeral can be led by a clergy member, a celebrant, a funeral director, or a trusted family member or friend, depending on your wishes. Many families without a specific faith choose a professional celebrant who writes and leads a personal ceremony. Some funeral homes can recommend officiants, and some states have rules about who may sign legal documents. What to ask: ask the funeral home about officiant options and fees, ask each candidate about their approach and experience, and share stories about your loved one so the ceremony reflects their life.
Can a funeral home arrange clergy or a place of worship?
Funeral homes can often help you contact clergy or celebrants and may host services in their own chapel, but they do not replace a place of worship. If your family belongs to a congregation, contact the clergy early to learn about their policies, scheduling, and any fees. Some places of worship hold funerals for members only, while others welcome families who are not regular attendees but share the faith. What to ask: ask your clergy about available dates and requirements, and ask the funeral home whether they coordinate with the place of worship, music, and cemetery on the day.
What if family members hold different beliefs about the funeral?
When family members hold different beliefs, the most helpful approach is to listen to each person and look for elements everyone can accept. Start by identifying what your loved one wished, if known, and which parts of the service matter most to each relative. A neutral officiant, a private family moment, or two separate gatherings can sometimes help, and there is rarely only one right way to honor a person. What to do: hold a calm conversation before the funeral director meeting, write down shared priorities, and consider asking a trusted clergy member or family counselor to help find common ground.