We Answer Frequently Asked Questions about “In Loving Memory” Poems

Do you want to write or learn more about elegies and “in loving memory” poems? This article will answer some questions you may have. Poetry has been used for centuries to mark the loss of loved ones, express the impact of the loss, and celebrate the beautiful legacies left behind. Despite a long history and thousands of poems available online, “in loving memory” poems can be a confusing genre for some. Here, we explore what the subject matter covers and discover more about the power of remembrance poetry.

Can Writing “In Loving Memory” Poems Help You Heal?

Practising poetry is a superb way to strengthen and refine your writing skills. Not only does it expand one’s vocabulary greatly, but it improves one’s command of language. On a personal level, there are several benefits to writing poems too. Writing and expressing one’s feelings is incredibly cathartic, which may offer therapeutic benefits. It also allows for introspection, self-awareness, and exploring worldviews and perspectives. When it comes to loss and grief, “in loving memory” poems and elegies help us understand our feelings and provide a safe space in which to air the trauma and deep sorrow, making them an invaluable tool on the road to saying goodbye.

Are Elegies, Laments, and Memorial Poems All the Same?

Elegies are generally quite serious and sombre, and they are used to reflect on the life of someone who has passed on. Elegiac poetry is traditionally versed in couplets, though this is not a hard rule when writing one. A lament, on the other hand, is a kind of mournful song or poem that expresses sorrow and is usually written in a deeply intimate and emotional tone. Laments may or may not be accompanied by music. Memorial, bereavement, and “in loving memory” poems are usually read aloud or printed on programmes at funerals and wakes to remember, praise, and honour a loved one who has died. Usually, family members and close friends are asked to pen a poem or select one to recite.

What Are the Most Important Themes Used in Remembrance Poems?

The core themes used within memorial poems centre around death, mourning, and even consolation for those left behind. These poems can both reflect the pain that the loved ones are enduring, and celebrate the person who has passed on. For some families, religious themes also play a strong role in the direction of the poetry, with philosophical topics explored such as the nature of life and death, or even the afterlife and what that may mean in the context of the one they have lost.

Are There Any Literary Devices Best Suited to Memorial Poetry?

Death is something everyone must face, and yet it remains an elusive subject that is challenging to navigate, even in art. For this reason, literary devices are often used in elegies and remembrance poems to express the inexpressible. Devices such as metaphors, symbolism, and strong imagery are great tools for conveying feelings. We also see allusions to ancient and classical literature or mythologies, which often explored the theme of death and loss.

Does This Form of Poetry Serve Any Purpose?

There are several ways in which remembrance poems serve a purpose. For the writer, it may act as a final goodbye and a way to seek out closure. The audience who reads or hears the poem may also relate to its message, and might perhaps feel less alone in their time of mourning. When someone close dies, it can be difficult to come to terms with the shock of the loss, especially when the death is unexpected. Remembrance poems take some time to explore what this death means for all those involved, and may even end on a note of comfort and consolation, offering the audience some hope.

Can Anyone Write “In Loving Memory” Poems?

Most people who know what it means to love someone also understand the concept of loss. Grief is a universal experience that the majority of us will endure. The art of writing remembrance poems is not only for the select few among us who are gifted poets and writers but for anyone who has something they wish to express.

If you would like to explore a diverse range of poems dedicated to the theme of loss and death, have a look at our vast library collection of past contest entries.