⚰️ Epitaph Poems KS2: Funny & Thought-Provoking Writing Activities ✍️🌍

Why Try Epitaph Poems in KS2?

An epitaph poem is a short verse that’s usually written on a gravestone or memorial. While that might sound a little dark, epitaphs are often witty, funny, or thought-provoking — making them a fantastic challenge for KS2 pupils.

Through epitaph poems KS2, children can:

• Experiment with rhyme and rhythm 🎭

• Write both humorous and serious poems ⚖️

• Link poetry with PSHE (friendship, loss, kindness, resilience) 💛

• Explore environmental themes and the importance of caring for our planet 🌍

👉 This blog includes two epitaph poem examples you can use as classroom models — one light-hearted and one serious — plus lots of activity ideas.

👉 In my Poetry Days in primary schools across the UK I work hard to get the children excited about writing and performing their own poems. I visit over 100 schools every year and I’d love to work with your children and teachers.

📅 You can book me for:

• In-person Poetry Days across the UK

• Online Poetry Workshops (affordable and flexible)

➡ Secure your date here: Poets in Schools – Ian Bland

📝 Example Epitaph Poems for KS2

🪱 Funny Epitaph Poem: Here Lies the Body of My Pet Worm Fred

Here lies the body of my pet worm Fred
He was alive but now he’s dead
I found him wriggling on the floor
But he’s not wriggling anymore.

Not much company didn’t talk
Did not come with me for a walk
Did not fuss did not complain
Won’t find a friend like him again,

Here lies the body of my pet worm Fred
He was alive but now he’s dead
I found him wriggling on the floor
But he’s not wriggling anymore.

💡 Activity idea: Pupils can write epitaphs for imaginary pets (hamsters, goldfish, dinosaurs!) or even classroom objects (Here lies the ruler / That snapped in two…).

👉 Related: Funny Poems KS2, Animal Poems KS2

🌍 Serious Epitaph Poem: Here Lies the Body of Planet Earth

Here lies the body of Planet Earth
That gave the human race its birth
With valleys green and oceans wide
For lack of care the Earth just died

Flowers withered the sky turned black
And now those humans can’t go back.

Here lies the body all charred and burned
With lessons humans should have learned
Poisoned lakes and lifeless seas
There’s nothing left now save disease

The humans left it to its fate
And now they see it’s far too late.

💡 Activity idea: Pupils can write epitaphs for endangered animals, lost habitats, or even natural objects (Here lies the forest / Chopped down for wood…). Perfect for linking poetry to environmental topics.

👉 Related: Environmental Poems KS2, Science Poems KS2

🎉 Extra Epitaph Poetry Activities

• Classroom Display: Create a “Funny Graveyard” wall with paper gravestones and humorous epitaph poems.

• Personification Challenge: Write epitaphs for abstract things (e.g. Here lies Homework! or Here lies the Weekend!).

• Cross-Curricular Links: Use epitaphs in history (memorials, remembrance) or science (endangered species).
  👉 Related: Remembrance Day Poems KS2, History Poems KS2

👩‍🏫 Teacher Pedagogy Notes

• Curriculum links: English (rhyme, structure), PSHE (loss, respect, resilience), Science/Geography (environmental themes), History/RE (memorials).

• Differentiation: Simple humorous epitaphs for support; deeper environmental or reflective epitaphs for challenge.

• Engagement: Children love the quirky humour of epitaphs, but also respond well to the deeper PSHE links.

🌟 Final Thought

Epitaph poems KS2 offer the perfect balance of fun and reflection. Whether it’s a silly epitaph about a pet worm or a serious warning about our planet, they challenge children to be witty, thoughtful, and creative.

They’re brilliant for:

• Funny writing exercises 🪱

• Environmental poetry 🌍

• Cross-curricular PSHE links 💡

👉 In my Poetry Days in primary schools across the UK I work hard to get the children excited about writing and performing their own poems. I visit over 100 schools every year and I’d love to work with your children and teachers.

📅 You can book me for:

• In-person Poetry Days across the UK

• Online Poetry Workshops (affordable and flexible)

➡ Secure your date here: Poets in Schools – Ian Bland