Life Well Lived by Unknown | W. Uden & Sons Funeral Directors

Life Well Lived

A life well lived is a precious gift,
Of hope and strength and grace,
From someone who has made our world
A brighter, better place.
It’s filled with moments, sweet and sad
With smiles and sometimes tears,
With friendships formed and good times shared,
And laughter through the years.
A life well lived is a legacy
Of joy and pride and pleasure,
A living, lasting memory
Our grateful hearts will treasure.

OverView

This poem defines ‘a life well lived’ not by duration or achievements, but by its positive impact on others, the richness of shared experiences (both happy and sad), and the lasting, treasured memories it leaves behind. It focuses on legacy and gratitude.

If someone has died, Our Family is here to help you.

Find your nearest office below or request a call back.

orpington

bromley

beckenham

west-wickham

dulwich

biggin-hill

petts-wood

camberwell

sidcup

bexleyheath

eltham

More Funeral Funeral Poems

A Life That Matters by Ben Brophy

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A Life That Matters by Ben Brophy

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear.

So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won’t matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end.
It won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant — even your gender & skin colour will be irrelevant.

So what will matter?
How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built;
not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.
Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

His Journey’s Just Begun (Her Journey’s Just Begun) by Ellen Brenneman

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His Journey’s Just Begun (Her 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.

I Am Standing Upon The Seashore by Bishop Charles Henry Brent

View POEM

I Am Standing Upon The Seashore by Bishop Charles Henry Brent

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come
to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, ‘There, she is gone’

Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me — not in her.

And, just at the moment when someone says, ‘There, she is gone,’
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, ‘Here she comes!’

And that is dying…

Afterglow by Helen Lowrie Marshall

View POEM

Afterglow by Helen Lowrie Marshall

I’d like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave
when life is done.

Funeral Blues (Stop all the clocks) by W. H. Auden

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Funeral Blues (Stop all the clocks) by W. H. Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message ‘He Is Dead’,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

"We Decided to Use Udens and It was the best decision we ever made"

Watch a video testimonial from Juliet, for whom we had the honour of conducting her mother’s funeral service.

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If someone has died, Our Family is here to help you.

Find your nearest office below or request a call back.

orpington

bromley

beckenham

west-wickham

dulwich

biggin-hill

petts-wood

camberwell

sidcup

bexleyheath

eltham

karen B.

Adam at the Bexleyheath branch could not have been more helpful. He explained everything and made, what was a really sad time, a little easier to navigate. He showed every respect to us as a family. He chose a lovely celebrant, who also showed the right amount of empathy and compassion. The funeral itself went smoothly, I am glad I made the decision to trust Uden and son's.

Pat M.

The funeral Ditector Jackson was a great help and comfort to the Family. Conducted the Funeral with Respect, Dignity and great direction. Friends and family commented on how well they presented and matching ties to the colour of the yellow theme, was a lovely touch. An amazing experience. Well done and Thank you

Debbie G.

If I could give more stars I would, Udens at Sidcup were amazing, very professional and caring. From the moment I spoke to Spencer to the moment Lee walked my husband into the crem, the boys were thoughtful tentative. I can highly recommend Udens. They looked after my husband and they certainly looked after the rest of the family keeping us updated at all times in our darkest days.

Erica1000 C.

Having no idea where to start with organising a funeral or which undertakers to choose, we were incredibly fortunate to have W.Uden & Sons in Petts Wood recommended to us. Their service, from beginning to end was 5 star, from the inital phone call with Allan to being dropped off at The Bull after the service. Nothing was too much trouble. Andrea took us through all our options and made everything seem so easy. The celebrant chosen by them was Sarah Sweeney.... she was an absolute angel and wrote the perfect eulogy for us, and then delivered it with both dignity and humour. The extra touches with the orange ties and making sure we were happy with the arrangements on the coffin and in the chapel were just perfect and took all the worry out of what was an emotional day. Joe and the team were very professional and respectful, the way they took the coffin out of the car and into the chapel with military precision was a feat in itself. All in all, I cannot recommend this company highly enough. Thank you all so much, especially Joe and Sarah.

Sally F.

We used Udens in Eltham for my husband’s funeral. From start to finish they did a fantastic job. Sarah and her team were so helpful and professional while also being very kind caring and supportive throughout.

Danny F.

I cannot thank Uden Funeral Directors enough for the care, compassion, and professionalism they showed during such a difficult time for our family after losing two loved ones within close succession of one another. From the very first conversation, we were treated with kindness, dignity, and genuine understanding, guiding us through every step of the process with patience and sensitivity. A very special mention to Adam who has been amazing, kind, caring and compassionate throughout.The attention to detail was exceptional, and nothing ever felt too much trouble. Adam and his team took the time to listen to our wishes and ensured that every aspect of the funeral and service reflected our loved ones perfectly. They made what could have been an overwhelming experience feel manageable and supported throughout.Both funerals were beautifully organised, and many of our family and friends commented on how respectful and seamless everything was. Due to our previous connection, Spencer so very kindly agreed to stand in and conduct both funerals. He did so as he did before, so professionally and respectfully. It gave us great comfort knowing that both us and our loved ones were in such capable and caring hands.I would highly recommend Uden Funeral Directors to anyone looking for a professional, compassionate, and trustworthy funeral service. Their dedication to helping families through one of life's most difficult moments is truly outstanding.Thank you

Jojo K.

I am very grateful to your company for providing the best service for my husband's funeral.

Lesley S.

Excellent from start to finish. Couldn’t have done anymore than what they did for our family. I work in the bereavement sector and Udens are a funeral directors you can trust.

Angela S.

From the beginning of our sad journey Uden’s treated us with respect from the lovely Spencer talking us through the process to even with one of sisters on FaceTime and organising the wonderful Nicola to take the service , Jason and Nick being on the end of the phone to answer any questions to the lovely (and very tall) Lee helping us on the day of our mother’s funeral to give mum the very best we could . I can’t recommend them highly enough or thank them enough.

Liam E.

I find this hard to write as it was such a sad occasion but W Uden and sons went out of their way to make this as seamless and professional as possible. All costs were explained, we could visit when we wanted and mum was treated with the greatest of respect. The whole process was extremely transparent and the staff were amazing. Spencer took us through everything and Lee was excellent on the day. I cannot fault any part of their service and would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone.

Jessica P.

The Quinnell family would like to thank Udens and Sarah, at Eltham, for the excellent and professional service you gave us for our dear Brother Mark who passed on 31st March. The Celebrant Sarah did the most wonderful service and everyone said what a lovely send off for Mark. Thank you Udens for making it a memorable day on 22nd May 2026.

cheryl W.

The care , compassion and professionalism from these guys was outstanding, nothing was to much trouble . When our dad Arthur Walker was collected from home he was covered in a velvet throw much better than seeing a body bag , so classy! The chapel of rest was beautiful too , not like others I’ve seen . So from start to finish an excellent service , our dad’s little French bulldog lead him out on the day which was beautiful. The guys and cars were immaculate. Highly recommend these guys , our first time using W.Uden & Sons

David E.

Faultless service from the Uden's team at Sidcup. They could not have been more supportive and helpful to me and my family. On the day, the cars were spotlessly clean and the friendly team were immaculately dressed. I cannot recommend Uden's enough.

Jean B.

As a family we have had the privilege of using Uden’s Camberwell before over the last few years. Each time they have made the process so easy. From the time that we made the initial call to the day of the funeral they were in constant contact. Nothing was too small. Everyone we spoke to was very professional and extremely supportive. I cannot thank them enough.

Kim P.

Uden's recently oversaw my dad's funeral and I cannot praise them highly enough. From the very first contact with Spencer through to the actual day when Stanley looked after us, the standard of professionalism and respect shown was second to none. I felt in totally safe hands as such a vulnerable time, nothing was too much trouble for any of the team. I cannot thank them enough for the respect shown to my dad and the support we received, fantastic family run service and can't recommend highly enough.