Tl;dr - This book is very lauded. I thought it was pretty good, especially the little touches Gliori makes on the illustrations. However, for grief books I'd look elsewhere. Picture books that are reassuring can help soothe a child, help them know that they are loved–or should be loved. I think they can have great benefit. No Matter What by Debi Gliori is one of those books. This poem could be chosen for a spouse or a partner, or even a close friend that you’ve lost. It’s a helpful way of looking at loss. Henry Scott-Holland reminds us with the poem that death is a part of life. “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. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.” Read the poem in full here. Remember Me - Margaret Mead Su savo keturmete prieš miegą keičiu šios knygos tekstą. Pagrindinis veikėjas mano versijoje visuomet tėtis lapinas, o ne mama. To reikalauja dukra.

This short funeral verse is an uplifting poem about celebrating life and remembering someone who has made a positive impact on those around them. A powerful funeral poem for those dealing with grief. The poem focuses on the belief that our loved ones are all around us, with no religious messaging or undertones. Do not stand at my grave and weep This is a lovely book that depicts the importance of a family's love. The little fox referred to as Small in the story wants to know will his mother love him no matter what he was. He uses different animals such as a bear, crocodile, bug etc. And his mother tells him she would love him no matter what he was like. Often considered an ideal non-religious funeral poem for mum, this reading focuses on a sense of gratitude for all that your loved one has left behind. Can be edited to read “He is gone” to create a funeral poem for Dad or a male loved-one. You can shed tears that she is gone This funeral poem focuses on scattering a loved one's ashes, making it ideal for use at a cremation, when scattering the ashes or at another non-religious ceremony. Now I have lost you, I must scatterSmall, look at the stars – how they shine and glow. Yet some of those stars died a long time ago. Still they shine in the evening skies… love, like starlight, never dies”. The little fox in this book starts out feeling grumpy when her/his parent is on the phone, ignoring her/him, and this sets the stage for the little fox to ask for reassurance and to find out that she/he will be loved, no matter what. Gliori’s (The Snow Lambs, Pure Dead Magic) rhyming text is sweet and reassuring; the parent fox always has a loving, reassuring answer to give the child. The first two examples are easy to see why a child might feel they need reassurance that they’ll still be loved–feeling awful and/or acting out when feeling grumpy or angry (grim and grumpy, and grumpy and grizzly bear). The next two examples were not as immediately clear to me, and didn’t feel as strongly written. After some thought, I realized that “squishy bug” and the child worrying if they’ll still get a hug might mean if the child was feeling unlovable–but I wish that connection were stronger. Still, a child needing reassurance that they will still be loved is a universal need. I love this book, it has a great story line and a lovely moral for children! I would definitely use this book in a KS1 classroom linking strongly with PSHE looking into families and acceptance. Discussions in circle time could be used where we throw a football around student to student where each child says something that the love about themselves. Looking at how we all have different qualities. You're not a proper dragon', they sneered. 'You can't fly.' 'You can't breathe fire.' 'You're covered in feathers, you big...softy.'

Looking for readings for a non-religious funeral? Whether you’d like to find a reading that reflects the personality of your loved one, or a funny funeral reading that will make friends and family smile, we’ve collected some of our favourite non-religious funeral readings to help you find the right one. Modern non-religious funeral readings No Matter What – Debi Gliori Large and Small are completely genderless. This makes the story fit with any kind of parent/child or grandparent/child or relative/child or grown-up/child pairing you might have upon reading it.One section stopped me short while reading, since it felt un-childlike, and in a different tone than the rest of the book, almost formal: “But does love wear out? Does it break or bend? Can you fix it or patch it? Does it mend?” I would have preferred the text to flow more easily. Still, all the answers are reassuring, and answer questions that many children may not even be able to express–such as knowing that the parent will still love the child, even if they are away from them. This poem is an excellent choice for the funeral of someone with a sense of humour. It’s the narrator’s light-hearted request for their choice of funeral music because they’d “be happier to see those present have some relief.”“I’ve taken in recent years to thinking about my funeral and have decided to make one paramount request: play jolly music at that ritual. What good does it do to heap on dirges or other mournful melodies? I won’t be there to be gratified by the grieving and if I could tune in I’d be happier to see those present have some relief.” Read the entire poem here. Eulogy from a Physicist - Aaron Freeman No Matter What is a children’s story book which teaches children about love and loss. It would make a lovely reading for the funeral of a mum or dad who has left young children behind. Small said: “But what about when you’re dead and gone? Would you love me then? Does love go on?” Even though Debi Gliori’s picture book was made to comfort children with its message, it certainly extends to anyone who’s experienced loss. It’s a reminder that even when you’ve lost a loved one, you’re still surrounded by their love. Small said, “But what about when we are dead and gone, will you love me then, does love go on?”…Large (replied) “Look at the stars, how they shine and glow, some of the stars died a long time ago. Still they shine in the evening skies, for you see…love like starlight never dies…” Bilbo’s Last Song (At the Grey Havens) - JRR Tolkien Large (replied) "Look at the stars, how they shine and glow, some of the stars died a long time ago. Still they shine in the evening skies, for you see…love like starlight never dies…”

This poem is a popular choice for a non-religious funeral reading for a child or young person. Rather than focussing on the finality of death, it suggests that death merely changes things. The poem can offer comfort during a difficult time and could be a good choice for a humanist funeral. Dear lovely Death This poem was read out at Princess Diana’s funeral and it’s not hard to see why. The narrator tells its listeners not to mourn for too long. It’s better to continue the good work that the person started in life as a source of comfort instead. “If I should die and leave you here a while, be not like others sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep. For my sake – turn again to life and smile, nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine. Complete those dear unfinished tasks of mine and I, perchance may therein comfort you.” Farewell, Sweet Dust - Elinor WylieHaving trouble deciding on a non-religious funeral reading? Don’t forget that there are no strict rules about what you can and cannot use. You could choose a poem. Or your loved one’s favourite song lyrics. Here are a few more ideas to give you some inspiration. We hope it helps you find the right way to say goodbye. Just cute little foxy touches that make the story that much better, more interesting, and more enjoyable. Large held Small snug as they looked out at the night, at the moon in the dark and the stars shining bright.

This funeral poem sets out to remind mourners that death does not have to be the end. What though the radiance which was once so bright~ No matter what?' Small asks. But what if he turns into a bug, or a crocodile, or even a grizzly bear? It explains the worries of a young fox having his family fall out of love with him. However his Mother explains to him that no matter what animal he turns into he will still be loved. He also questions how long love lasts for and although his Mum explains that she can't quite answer that she uses a lovely metaphor to explain that love is ever lasting. We see now that a crocodile has taken Small's place in the bathtub. Large extends a hand, holding out Small's toothbrush and toothpaste. Despite being written fourteen years before his death, this poem is inscribed on the author’s gravestone. Robert Louis Stevenson was a famous atheist, making the poem a popular choice of non-religious funeral reading. Under the wide and starry sky,

Knyga jai kelia šiltas ir geras emocijas, tad savaime suprantama, kad knygą vertinu labai gerai. Patikinimas, kad tėtis mylės visada, pasakomas šios knygos pagalba, yra labai veiksmingas. Ir tą matau iš vakarinių apsikabinimų prieš miegą. I would recommend this book for use within a Reception or KS1 classroom as it would be a great tool to help vulnerable children who may be suffering with anxiety to feel more calm and secure in their environment and within themselves. It may also be great just to remind children of how important they are. I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; Small has all sorts of questions about love, and his mummy must reassure him that her love will never, ever run out – no matter what. Poetic Expressions is a proud supporter of Marie Curie whose Nurses provide free nursing care to cancer patients and those with other terminal illnesses in their own homes"