The passing of a military veteran carries a profound weight, blending deep sorrow with immense pride for their selfless service, and a funeral program can become a cherished way to celebrate that legacy among those who gather to pay their respects. A poem can weave together the themes of duty, honor, and peace, offering a quiet comfort in the midst of such a profound loss. At Noted and Charmed, there are over 200 Canva-editable funeral program templates to help craft a memorial that feels deeply personal.
This post shares 20 poems for a military veteran’s funeral program—ranging from short to longer, including some well-known favorites—to pay tribute to their service and the indelible mark they left behind. These words can help reflect the honor of their sacrifice.
Why Add a Poem to a Military Veteran’s Funeral Program?
When grief feels too heavy to put into words, a poem can capture the essence of a veteran’s spirit, bringing a little peace and a sense of connection to their legacy of service. A poem can reflect their bravery, their dedication, and the peace they’ve earned, making the program a true celebration of their sacrifice. It’s a gentle way to turn a memorial keepsake into something that can be cherished, a reminder of their honor that remains long after the service.
20 Poems for a Military Veteran’s Funeral Program
These poems—ranging from short to longer, including some popular ones—were chosen to offer comfort for a military veteran’s memorial, focusing on duty, courage, and eternal peace:
1. “The Flag Flies High” — Unknown
The flag flies high, a symbol of might,
For a veteran who stood for the right.
Through battles fierce, they bore the storm,
With courage strong, their heart so warm.
Now in peace, they rest above,
Guarded by stars, embraced by love.
Their service shines in every fold,
A hero’s tale, forever told.
Pair With: Military & Patriot Programs with flag or eagle designs to reflect the poem’s patriotic imagery, like a tribute to their honor.
---
2. “Soldier’s Rest” — Unknown
A soldier’s rest, beneath the sky so wide,
Their duty done, their honor as their guide.
Through fields of war, they marched with pride,
For freedom’s cause, they stood side by side.
Now in the heavens, they’ve found their peace,
Their battle scars have found release.
The bugle plays a final note,
Their legacy in every throat.
---
3. “Eternal Guard” — Unknown
An eternal guard in heavens so vast,
A veteran’s soul, their duty cast.
They served with valor, heart so true,
For colors red, and white, and blue.
Now angels watch where they reside,
Their courage lives, it never died.
The nation mourns, yet holds them near,
A hero’s light that knows no fear.
---
4. “Fields of Valor” — Unknown
In fields of valor, they stood so tall,
A veteran’s heart, answering the call.
Through darkest nights, they held the line,
For liberty’s hope, a sacred sign.
Now in peace, their spirit soars,
A hero’s rest on heaven’s shores.
---
5. “Last Salute” — Unknown
A last salute, a final stand,
A veteran’s journey, a sacred band.
They served with pride, their duty clear,
Now in glory, they’ve nothing to fear.
Their honor lives in every tear.
---
6. “In Flanders Fields” — John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
---
7. “The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak” — Archibald MacLeish
The young dead soldiers do not speak.
Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses:
Who has not heard them?
They have a silence that speaks for them at night
And when the clock counts.
They say: We were young. We have died.
Remember us.
They say: We have done what we could
But until it is finished it is not done.
They say: We have given our lives but until it is finished
No one in the world is safe.
They say: Our deaths are not ours: they are yours,
They will mean what you make them.
They say: Whether our lives and our deaths were for
Peace and a new hope or for nothing we cannot say,
It is you who must say this.
---
8. “The Soldier” — Rupert Brooke
If I should die, think only this of me:
That there’s some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam;
A body of England’s, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
---
9. “A Nation’s Strength” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
What makes a nation’s pillars high
And its foundations strong?
What makes it mighty to defy
The foes that round it throng?
It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.
Is it the sword? Ask the red dust
Of empires passed away;
The blood has turned their stones to rust,
Their glory to decay.
And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown
Has seemed to nations strong;
But God has struck its luster down
In ashes, with a song.
Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor’s sake
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly—
They build a nation’s pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.
---
10. “A Soldier’s Grave” — Francis Ledwidge
Then in the lull of midnight, gentle arms
Lifted him slowly down the slopes of death,
Lest he should hear again the mad alarms
Of battle, dying moans, and painful breath.
And where the earth was soft for flowers we made
A grave for him that he might better rest.
So, Spring shall come and leave it sweet arrayed,
And there the lark shall turn her nest and brood
In loveliness, above the hidden tomb
Where lies the dust of greater magnitude
Than all the stars that strew the heaven’s gloom.
---
11. “A Soldier’s Prayer” — Unknown (Adapted)
A soldier’s prayer, whispered in the night,
For strength to stand, for courage to fight.
They served with faith, their heart so pure,
For freedom’s hope, they did endure.
Now in God’s arms, they find their rest,
A hero’s soul, forever blessed.
Their sacrifice, a sacred flame,
Forever etched in honor’s name.
---
12. “The Veteran’s Dawn” — Unknown
The veteran’s dawn, a golden light,
Through war’s dark storm, they held the fight.
For liberty’s cause, they gave their all,
Answering freedom’s sacred call.
Now in peace, their spirit glows,
A shining star where heaven flows.
---
13. “The Soldier’s Farewell” — Unknown
A soldier’s farewell, a final bow,
Their duty done, they rest now.
Through war’s dark storm, they held the line,
For freedom’s hope, a sacred sign.
Now in peace, their spirit flies,
A hero’s light in heaven’s skies..
---
14. “Veteran’s Honor” — Unknown
Veteran’s honor, a sacred flame,
Through trials fierce, they earned their name.
For liberty’s cause, they stood so tall,
Now in peace, they’ve heard the call.
Their legacy shines, a guiding star,
Forever near, though they’re afar.
---
15. “The Last Post” — Unknown (Inspired by the Bugle Call Tradition)
The last post sounds, a mournful tune,
Beneath the stars, beneath the moon.
A veteran’s journey, now complete,
Their duty done, their rest so sweet.
In heaven’s ranks, they take their stand,
A hero’s heart, a sacred band.
---
16. “Duty’s End” — Unknown
Duty’s end, a soldier’s rest,
Their courage passed the final test.
In fields of glory, they now roam,
A hero’s peace, their eternal home.
---
17. “Brave Heart” — Unknown
A brave heart served with honor bright,
Through darkest days, they held the light.
Now in peace, their spirit soars,
Forever free on heaven’s shores.
---
18. “Hero’s Call” — Unknown
A hero’s call, they answered true,
Through trials fierce, their spirit grew.
For freedom’s sake, they gave their all,
Now in peace, they hear the call.
Their legacy will never fall.
---
19. “Silent Watch” — Unknown
A silent watch, a veteran’s grace,
Their duty done, they’ve found their place.
In heaven’s ranks, they stand so tall,
A hero’s heart, forever called.
---
20. “Freedom’s Light” — Unknown
Freedom’s light, they held so dear,
A veteran’s heart, without a fear.
Through war’s dark storm, they bore the fight,
For liberty’s dawn, they brought the light.
Now in peace, their soul takes flight,
A shining star in heaven’s night.
---
How to Add a Poem to a Funeral Program
- Adding one of these poems to a funeral program is really simple with Canva:
- Pick a template from Noted and Charmed—they’re all Canva-editable
- Open it up in Canva and look for a spot where a poem fits (or add a new text box by clicking “Text” on the sidebar).
- Copy and paste the poem that feels right, play with the font (something like “Lora” gives a soft, gentle vibe), and line it up so it looks just right.
- If the poem’s over an image, tweak the transparency (look for the chess pattern icon) to make the text easier to read—lowering the image opacity to around 30% usually works well.
- When it’s ready, download it as a PDF for printing or a PNG for sharing digitally, and it’s all set for the service.
Create a Special Program with Noted and Charmed
A poem can make a funeral program feel like a loving salute to a veteran’s service, and Noted and Charmed is here to help make that happen. There are over 200 funeral program templates to choose from, like the Military & Patriot Programs for a veteran’s memorial, or Pastels, Watercolor, and Floral Framed Programs for a softer touch. They’re all super easy to edit in Canva, and many come with a bonus digital e-invite for virtual services. Head over to the my shop to find a template that feels right, and let’s create a memorial keepsake that celebrates that legacy of service. If there’s a special request, help is always her—just reach out.
A Companion in Crafting Personal Memorials