Losing a father is a deeply emotional experience that can leave us feeling a profound sense of grief and loss. Our fathers were there from the start, playing a pivotal role in shaping our lives, providing love, guidance and support. Draw strength from the everlasting bond and courage knowing their beacon of love and warmth will carry with you long after they have passed.

Poetic tributes for Dad's funeral

As you gather to bid your final farewell, it can be comforting to find the right words to express this great love and the impact your dad had on your life. We hope these poems help capture the essence of your dad's love and honour the memories that you will forever hold dear.

Life Lessons - by Joanna Fuchs

You may have thought I didn't see,

Or that I hadn't heard,

Life lessons that you taught to me,

But I got every word.

Perhaps you thought I missed it all,

And that we'd grow apart,

But Dad, I picked up everything,

It's written on my heart.

Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be

The (woman)(man) I am today;

You built a strong foundation

No one can take away.

I've grown up with your values,

And I'm very glad I did;

So here's to you, dear father,

From your forever grateful kid

Dad - by Karen K. Boyer

He never looks for praises

He's never one to boast

He just goes on quietly working

For those he loves the most.  

His dreams are seldom spoken

His wants are very few

And most of the time his worries

Will go unspoken too.  

He's there… A firm foundation

Through all our storms of life

A sturdy hand to hold to

In times of stress and strife.

A true friend we can turn to

When times are good or bad

One of our greatest blessings,

The man that we call Dad.

Family Tree - Author Unknown

A limb has fallen from the family tree

I hear a voice that whispers, 'Grieve not for me'

Remember the best times, the laughter, the songs

The good I lived while I was strong

Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you

Keep on smiling, the sun will shine through.

My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest

Remembering all…how I was truly blessed

Continue traditions, no matter how small

Go on with your lives, don't stare at the wall

I miss you all dearly so keep up your chin

Until that fine day we're together again.

Memories Of Dad - Author Unknown

We will take this special moment

To turn our thoughts to Dad;

To thank him for the home he gave

For all the things we had.  

We think about the fleeting years

Too quickly, gone for good

It seems like only yesterday;

We would go back if we could.  

He strived so hard from day to day

And never oft complained,

With steady hands he worked so hard

And kept the family name  

Dad dwells amongst the angels now;

He left us much too soon.

He is now with mum, his wife again;

From pain he is immune  

We will see him in the summer rain

He will ride upon the wind

And when our path is beaten down

his memory will pick us up again.

His Journey's Just Begun - By Ellen Brenneman

Don't think of him as gone away

his journey's just begun,

life holds so many facets

this earth is only one.

Just think of him as resting

from the sorrows and the tears

in a place of warmth and comfort

where there are no days and years.

Think how he must be wishing

that we could know today

how nothing but our sadness

can really pass away.  

And think of him as living

in the hearts of those he touched…

for nothing loved is ever lost

and he was loved so much.

Our Father Kept A Garden - Author Unknown

Our father kept a garden.

A garden of the heart

He planted all the good things,

That gave our lives their start.

He turned us to the sunshine,

And encouraged us to dream;

Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem.

And when the winds and rain came, he protected us enough

But not too much because he knew

We would stand up strong and tough.

His constant good example, A

lways taught us right from wrong, markers for our pathway,

to last a lifetime long.

We are our father's garden,

We are his legacy

And I hope today he feels the love

Reflected back from me.

What Is A Dad?  - by M. K. Paul

A Dad is a person, who is loving and kind,

And often he knows what you have on your mind.

He's someone who listens, suggests, and defends

A dad can be one of your very best friends!

He's proud of your triumphs, but when things go wrong,

A dad can be patient and helpful and strong.

In all that you do, a dad's love plays a part

There's always a place for him deep in your heart

And each year that passes, you're even more glad,

More grateful and proud just to call him your dad!

Thank you Dad, for listening and caring,

for giving and sharing, but, especially, for just being you!

Hero Dad - Joanna Fuchs

You are my hero, Dad

You're my secure foundation.

When I think of you, I'm filled with love

And fond appreciation.

You make me feel protected;

I'm sheltered by your care.

You're always my true friend; and Dad,

When I need you, you're always there.

You have a place of honour

Deep within my heart.

You've been my superhero, Dad,

Right from the very start.

Goodbye To My Dad - by Debra Marie Stratton-VanBuskirk

Goodbye Dad, I had to say

A few months ago on a cold winter day

I'll remember the good times and try not to be sad

But saying goodbye still hurts so bad

I miss you more then I can express

My love for you will never grow less

I keep trying to imagine how I will go on

I realize tomorrow is another dawn

I know you're in heaven above

Looking down on us with all your love

Only to whisper in our ear

Remember that I'll never stopped loving you dear

I'll always remember the good times we had

Remember the man, my wonderful Dad

I'll remember you each and every day

And if I need to talk to you, I'll just sit down and pray

One day we'll be together again

To talk about all the places we been

Until the time I'll always treasure

Having you for a Dad was such a great pleasure.

Goodbye Dad - Leanne Brady

Published by Family Friend Poems January 2017 with permission of the author.

It's never the right time

To say goodbye.

I will miss you, Dad,

And here is why.

You taught me so much:

To show no fear,

To always have fun,

And face the day with cheer.

 You were always so able,

So fast and so strong.

In your little girl's eyes

You could do no wrong.

You would always listen,

And you never pried.

You were the arms around me

When I cried.

You never looked for praises,

And you were never one to boast.

You were always there

For those you loved the most.

 You worked so hard,

And those strong working hands

Led me through life

And helped me understand

That life can be hard,

And tough, and sad,

But through it all I had my Dad.  

And because of you,

I understood

That life was actually

Pretty good.

I believe in you

And will follow your path,

And when things go wrong,

I'll look back and laugh.

I hope you can hear me

So I can let you know

That you were and will forever

Be my superhero.

So yes, today

I am full of sorrow,

But I will smile a little more

With each tomorrow.

So please, Dad, go

Be at rest

And know to me

You were always the best.

I love you so much and miss you every day!

We hope this compilation of funeral poems for Dad serve as a heartfelt reminder of the profound impact he had on your life and the everlasting bond that will never be broken.