Finding the right words to say goodbye to your mum can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re preparing to speak yourself or choosing a reading for someone else to deliver, the goal is to honour your mum’s life with something meaningful. This guide shares ten heartfelt funeral readings for a mum — a mix of poems, Bible verses, and gentle passages to help you express love, gratitude, and remembrance.
These readings can also be printed on the back of funeral bookmarks, memorial cards, or included in the funeral order of service booklet — a lasting reminder of her life and legacy.
Choosing a Reading for Mum
Choosing a reading for your mum is a deeply personal decision. Some people find comfort in scripture, while others prefer a poem that captures her warmth and presence. There’s no right or wrong choice — just think about what she meant to you, what she stood for, and the kind of message you’d like to share in her honour.
Top 10 Funeral Readings for Mum
1. “Remember” — Christina Rossetti
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.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
This beautiful Victorian poem gently asks to be remembered with love rather than sorrow — a comforting choice for a mum who always put others’ happiness before her own.
2. Proverbs 31:25–31
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honour her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise.
A timeless tribute from scripture that honours a woman of strength, wisdom, and devotion. Particularly meaningful at Christian services, though its words resonate across faiths.
3. “A Mother’s Love” — Anonymous
A mother’s love is patient, quiet, strong,
It holds you gently when the days feel long.
It shows in little things — a cup of tea,
a hand that knew you better than you knew thee.
She gave without a thought of what she’d get,
and left us gifts we haven’t finished yet.
Her kindness lives in how we treat each other,
The best of us reflects the best of mother.
She’s gone ahead where we cannot yet follow,
but love this deep leaves nothing truly hollow.
We carry her in laughter, in our care,
in moments where we turn and find her there.
A gentle, warm tribute that speaks to the everyday ways a mother shows love. Suited to both religious and non-religious services.
4. 1 Corinthians 13:4–8
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
Often read at weddings, this passage is equally powerful at a funeral — as a description of the unconditional love a mother gives. Simple, familiar, and deeply comforting.
5. Psalm 23
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.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The most widely used scripture at UK funerals. Offers spiritual reassurance and a sense of peace — particularly comforting for families of faith.
6. “She Was There” — Anonymous
When I was small, she held my hand.
When I was lost, she helped me stand.
When I was scared, she calmed my fear.
She was always there. She was always here.
She didn’t need the biggest words
to tell me what I meant to her.
A look, a touch, a cup of tea —
that was enough. That was she.
Now she is gone but not far gone,
for love like hers simply carries on.
I hear her in the quiet of the day,
and feel her presence not so far away.
A short, simple tribute that focuses on the quiet, steady presence of a mother. Works well read by a son or daughter.
7. Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
A short but powerful verse about strength and renewal through faith. Particularly comforting for a mum who lived with resilience — or who faced illness with quiet courage.
8. “Gone Yet Not Forgotten” — Anonymous
Gone yet not forgotten,
although we are apart,
your spirit lives within me,
forever in my heart.
Though you may be gone from sight,
you’ll always be near,
guiding us through dark days,
and comforting our fear.
The love you gave so freely
will stay with us each day,
for in our hearts, you’ll always
live on in your own way.
Brief and sincere, this poem reminds everyone present that love doesn’t end — it simply changes form. A gentle close to any service.
9. John 14:1–3
Let not your heart be troubled:
ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also.
Comforting words of faith and reunion that bring peace to those grieving a mum who held strong religious beliefs. A popular choice at Christian services across the UK.
10. “Mum” — A Tribute
You were our constant, our warm and steady light,
the one who made the difficult things feel right.
You taught us how to love without condition,
and gave us roots, and gave us our ambition.
The house feels quieter, and meals feel small,
but in the quiet moments, you’re with us all.
For love like yours — patient, kind, and true —
doesn’t leave. It simply lives in what we do.
A personal tribute that families can read as written, or adapt to include their own words and memories. Best delivered by a child or grandchild.
Can I write my own reading for Mum?
Yes, absolutely. Writing your own reading can be a healing and personal experience. You might want to include memories, things she taught you, or words you never got to say. There’s no right or wrong — just speak from the heart.
Should funeral readings be religious?
Not always. If your mum or your family holds religious beliefs, a Bible verse or hymn may feel appropriate. Many people also choose non-religious poems that reflect emotions, shared memories, or values like love, kindness, and resilience.
Where are readings usually placed during the service?
Funeral readings typically take place during the middle of the service, often after a eulogy or musical tribute. They may be printed inside the order of service, allowing guests to follow along or reflect on them later.
Print the readings in a beautiful booklet
When you’ve chosen the right reading for your mum, consider including it in a professionally printed order of service. Our done-for-you design service means we handle the layout — you just send us the content.
→ funeral order of service complete guide — everything you need to plan and print the full booklet
→ funeral order of service printing — professional print, free design help, next-day UK delivery
If you’d like to browse all styles, our free funeral order of service templates include 500+ designs with free next-day UK delivery.
Also see: funeral readings for dad — a companion guide for those honouring a father.
