Free Printable The Dash Poem by Linda Ellis – “The Dash” by Linda Ellis is one of the most widely shared modern poems in the United States. Written in 1996, it uses the simple dash between birth and death dates on a tombstone as a powerful reminder to live and love well.
People search for a free printable version for funerals, memorial services, classroom use, personal reflection, or framing. Because the poem is protected by copyright, the legitimate options for free use are limited and clearly defined by the rights holders.
What “The Dash” Is About?
The poem tells of a speaker at a funeral who points out that the dates on the tombstone matter less than the dash between them. That short line represents an entire lifetime—how someone lived, loved, treated others, and spent their time. Material possessions fade; the quality of the “dash” is what endures.
Linda Ellis has shared that the poem grew from observing misplaced priorities at work and from a letter written by a dying woman who regretted worrying too much and living too little. After it was read on a syndicated Atlanta radio show, it spread rapidly through emails, church bulletins, eulogies, and memorial services across the country.
Copyright and Legitimate Free Uses
The poem is now owned and licensed by Southwestern Family of Companies. The official site states that the full text may not be used without permission.
However, the rights holders grant several free licenses for personal and memorial purposes:
- Live recitation at funerals, memorials, or tributes (with clear credit to Linda Ellis).
- One-time print in a funeral or memorial program or an obituary (must include the required notice).
- Use in a non-monetized memorial video for a loved one (with the required notice).
- Personal one-time use on a headstone, gravestone, or grave marker for a loved one.
These permissions are detailed on the official licensing page. Always follow the exact attribution language they require.
For any other use—including general downloadable prints, framed art, commercial products, books, websites, or repeated distribution—a license must be requested and, in most cases, paid.
Where to Read the Poem and Request Permission?
The most authoritative places to start are the official sources:
- Official poem site (full text shown as non-printable): https://thedashpoem.com/
- Official licensing details and free-use terms: https://thedashpoem.com/licensing/
- Author’s site with the poem text and background: https://lindaellis.life/
- Linda Ellis’s account of how the poem came to be: https://lindaellis.life/the-story-behind-the-dash-1
These sites provide the accurate text and the only current free-use permissions. Avoid random “free printable PDF” pages that claim unlimited rights; many of those offerings are unauthorized and risk copyright infringement.
If you need a high-quality printable for personal framing or repeated use, the proper route is to request a license through the official form or purchase authorized digital downloads (for example, through the author’s linked Etsy offerings or the official store).
Free Printable The Dash Poem by Linda Ellis
Practical Tips for Using the Poem Respectfully
- Credit the author every time: “The Dash” poem by Linda Ellis.
- For funeral programs or obituaries, use the exact notice required by the free license.
- Do not alter the wording under the free licenses.
- Keep personal printouts for private or one-time memorial use only.
- When in doubt, submit a license request through the official site.
FAQ
Is there a completely free, unrestricted printable of “The Dash”?
No. The poem is copyrighted. Free use is limited to the specific personal and memorial permissions listed by the rights holders.
Can I print it for a funeral program?
Yes, under the free one-time license, provided you include the required copyright notice.
Can I post a printable version on my blog or social media?
That generally requires a license. Contact the rights holders.
Where can I hear Linda Ellis recite it?
Video and audio recordings by the author are available through her official channels and YouTube presence.
“The Dash” continues to resonate because its message is simple and universal: the measure of a life is not the dates on either end, but how the time in between is spent. For the most accurate text and the only legitimate free-use options, begin at the official sites listed above and follow their licensing guidance. Live your dash well.