A Limb Has Fallen from the Family Tree: Honoring Life, Grief, and the Beauty of Memory

When someone we love passes away, we search for ways to honor their memory, celebrate their life, and find comfort in our grief. Poetry has long been a source of solace during loss, and one poem that has touched countless hearts is “A Limb Has Fallen from the Family Tree.” Often read at funerals and featured in sympathy gifts, this gentle, reflective verse offers a message of peace, remembrance, and the enduring strength of love.

The Poem

A Limb Has Fallen from the Family Tree
By Mary Elizabeth Frye

A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, “Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song,
The good life I lived while I was strong.

Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all…how I truly was blessed.

Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your lives, don’t worry about falls.
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we’re together again.”

This poem speaks directly to the heart of grief. It acknowledges the deep sense of loss we feel—comparing the person who has passed to a “limb” from the family tree—yet it also offers a gentle request to remember the joy, not just the sorrow. Through its lines, we are reminded to carry on with strength, to celebrate life, and to find peace in the knowledge that our loved one’s soul is at rest.

About the Author: Mary Elizabeth Frye

While the poem is frequently shared anonymously, it has been widely attributed to Mary Elizabeth Frye, an American housewife and florist best known for another widely loved poem, “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep.” Frye had no formal training as a writer, yet her verses have endured across generations.

Frye reportedly wrote “A Limb Has Fallen from the Family Tree” after a personal and emotional moment in her life. She learned that a close friend’s mother had passed away and that the friend was unable to attend the funeral due to difficult circumstances. Touched by the pain of that separation, Frye sat down and composed the poem to offer comfort and peace—a practice she would continue throughout her life.

Though she never published her poetry in books, Frye’s poems traveled by word of mouth, greeting cards, and memorial tributes. Her humble beginnings and deep empathy resonate in each line she wrote. Frye’s legacy reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful words come not from scholars but from ordinary people who understand the depth of human emotion.

The Meaning Behind the Poem

This poem is rich with symbolism and reassurance. The imagery of a "limb falling from the family tree" captures the pain of losing a family member or close friend—someone who was once a vital part of the living structure of our lives.

However, instead of dwelling in sorrow, the poem encourages us to look back with fondness on the memories we shared. It urges us to continue the traditions that keep our families strong and to face the future with courage. It doesn't minimize the pain of grief but offers a soothing perspective: our loved ones are not gone entirely. They live on in the values they instilled, the traditions they passed down, and the memories they helped create.

This message of remembrance and hope is why the poem is so often chosen for memorial services and sympathy gifts—it speaks the words our hearts long to hear during times of loss.

LifeSong Milestones Memorial Gifts Featuring the Poem

At LifeSong Milestones, we believe in creating personalized memorial gifts that honor the lives of those we’ve lost while offering comfort to those left behind. We are proud to feature “A Limb Has Fallen from the Family Tree” on several of our beautifully crafted keepsakes, each designed to preserve memories with dignity and grace.

🎵 Personalized Memorial Wind Chimes

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These elegant wind chimes are available in black, bronze, or pewter and come in three sizes: 30", 36", and 44". Made of powder-coated aluminum, they include an adjustable striker and a digitally printed sail featuring the poem. Every breeze becomes a gentle reminder of your loved one’s presence and the peace they wish for you.

⚰️ Vintage-Inspired Oval Photo Urn

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This handcrafted wooden urn, made from alder and cherry wood, features beautiful butterfly artwork and a spot for a 2x3 photo of your loved one. With a 65-cubic-inch capacity, it is ideal for preserving human or pet ashes. The verse is tastefully printed on the surface, offering lasting tribute with warmth and beauty.

🎄 Hanging Memorial Ornament

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Crafted from re-engineered wood and measuring 3.75” in diameter, this lightweight ornament makes a touching keepsake for holiday trees or year-round display. It is digitally printed with part of the poem and can be personalized, making it a lovely gift for grieving friends or family members.

📖 Personalized Funeral Guest Book

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This 8.5"x11" guest book features part of the verse alongside a serene tree illustration. It’s the perfect addition to a funeral or memorial service, allowing guests to leave loving messages, stories, and memories that will be cherished for years to come.

✝️ Custom Memorial Wooden Cross

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This 7” x 11” cross is made of solid wood and engraved with the poem’s opening lines and final stanza. It’s a heartfelt decorative piece that adds comfort to any room—serving as a constant reminder of faith, love, and the enduring bond between family members.

Keeping Their Memory Alive

Whether displayed in the home, hung in a peaceful garden, or held during a quiet moment of reflection, memorial gifts featuring “A Limb Has Fallen from the Family Tree” provide comfort and connection. They remind us that even in grief, we are surrounded by love—and by the legacy of those who came before us.

At LifeSong Milestones, every item is crafted with care, designed to offer healing, and personalized to reflect the life and love of the one being remembered.

Let us help you honor your loved one’s legacy with grace, comfort, and timeless beauty.