The Significance of Epitaphs
When a loved one is laid to rest in a cemetery, the final stage of closure involves the placement of a monument identifying their grave. It is here that we are given one final occasion to communicate the significance of our loved one. Epitaphs can highlight personality traits or accomplishments in life. Even though epitaphs have varied over time one thing remains a constant ~ That epitaphs are a meaningful way to give respect to the deceased.
Writing An Epitaph
Monument epitaphs take on many forms and are derived from many sources. A popular form is taken from biblical scripture, often choosing a bible verse as an epitaph as it may exhibit some quality that was a characteristic of their loved one. Some choose to write an epitaph detailing accomplishments. Maybe the person was a great doctor who selflessly gave his time tending to the sick, or one who was known for their community service.
Whatever the subject, an epitaph allows us to post our reflections of the personalities and achievements of our loved one, marking their existence here on Earth.
Examples of Headstone Epitaphs
To help give you some inspiration in composing an epitaph for your loved one, we have assembled a collection of epitaphs. You can either copy them directly or use them as a basis to create your own.
Treasured Memories Of
Precious Memories Of
In Memory Of
Memories Are Forever
In Cherished Memory Of
In Loving Remembrance
Remembered With Love
In Love We Remember
Promoted To God’s Glory
Special Memories Of
Always In Our Hearts
Lovingly Remembered
In Our Hearts Forever
Treasured Are The Memories Of
Precious Are The Memories Of
In Loving Memory Of
Cherished Memories
Fondest Memories
In Fond and Loving Remembrance
With Love We Remember
Promoted To Glory
Forever In Our Hearts
Loving Memories
Sacred To The Memory Of
Remembering
Forever We Will Remember
We Remember With Love
In Ever Loving Memory Of
Of Your Charity Pray For The Repose Of The Soul Of
Sadly missed
At rest
Together again
Rest in peace
Ever remembered
One day at a time
God’s servant at rest
Loved and so sadly missed
Always precious in our hearts
You are our sunshine
Forever in our thoughts
Of tender heart and generous spirit
Life is not forever, love is
Home beyond the stars
Together forever sadly missed
An inspiration to us all
In our hearts forever
Till we are together again
Forever loved and remembered
Always in our hearts
Forever in our hearts
Always in our minds, and forever in our hearts
Gone from among us but forever in our hearts
Remembrance is a golden chair that links you till we meet again
Gone from home but not from our hearts
What we keep in memory is ours forever
Loving memories last forever
Sweet are the memories silently kept of the one we loved and will never forget
Of tender heart and generous spirit
To the world she was but one, to us she was the world
Gone but will never be forgotten
Sadly missed and remembered always
So much love, so little time
Sun, sea, surf and sand
A friend to many, sadly missed
Too well loved to ever be forgotten
Precious are the memories
Always a giver now at peace in God’s garden
Remembering you is easy, we do it every day
It’s the emptiness without you, that never goes away
We never lose the ones we love, and you were loved so much
The life that touches the hearts of others lives on forever
Rest in peace sweet lady
Step softly, our loved one lies here
Taken from us so suddenly, we never had a chance to say goodbye
Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there, I did not die
I live with the risen Lord
Just remember, in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows, lies the seed that, with the sun’s love in the spring becomes the rose
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven
Some people can take an ordinary day
And swirl a ribbon of happiness around it, making a gift for all who pass their way
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence
Two tired eyes are sleeping, two willing hands are still
The one who worked so hard for us, is resting at God’s will
What we keep in memory is ours forever
What we keep in memory is ours, unchanged forever
Few hearts like him with virtue warmed, few hearts with knowledge so informed
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss
Across the years I will walk with you – in deep, green forest; on shores of sand; and when our time on earth is through, in heaven, too, you will have my hand
Wonderful was your love for us
The measure of a great heart is not how much you love, but how much you are loved by others
God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be
So he put his loving arms around you and whispered come to me
A golden heart stop beating, hard working hands at rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us he takes the best
Mourn not my death, but celebrate my life.
May the loving memories of the past live with us in spirit
To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die
-Thomas Campbell-
The love we hold back is the pain we leave behind
Life has not ended, only changed
Love One Another As I have loved You.
-John 13:34-
And the sound of a voice that is still
-Tennyson-
For they conquer who believe they can
-Virgil-
They who forgive most, shall be most forgiven
-Bailey-
Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted
-Matthew 5:4-
Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy
-Matthew 5:7-
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God
-Matthew 5:8-
50 WAYS TO DESCRIBE A LOVED ONE
He never met a stranger
She lived to help others
He was a friend to all
Her smile will always be with us
She will never be forgotten
A loving husband and father
He always went the extra mile
A woman of grace and dignity
A man of talent and courage
She gave of herself
He enriched our lives
She always brightened our days
A caring, sharing person
She made everybody feel like somebody
He changed our lives for the better
The anchor of our family
He knew where he was going
She lived an extraordinary life
An unforgettable, person
A man of vision
Because she cared
Kindness was his trademark
Happiness was her gift to all
He gave us beautiful memories
A treasure on earth
He did it his way
She made beautiful music
A life of honour
Always a lady
Always in my heart
He made history
She wore a yellow ribbon
Faithful Forever
Nobody’s perfect
We’ll be together again
Man of the years
She had a magic touch
A Friend in Deed
A special kind of love
My Lifetime Companion
Faith, Hope and Courage
One of a Kind
The man with a plan
She led the way
Everybody’s Friend
He inspired us all
In a league of his own
He never gave up
The music is quiet,
The sun has set,
Your smile is a memory
We will never forget
Men Christ shall come, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Wonderful was your love for us when Christ shall come, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
You will keep her (him) in perfect peace
Brave in spirit. Strong in love
Together in peace
An Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind, be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And, until we meet again…
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
It’s the hardest fact one can’t ignore, it’s the kindest heart that beats no
more
Death can never separate those who are bonded together by the ties of pure
love
As I cross on life’s tumultuous seas may God be with you and comfort you
In God’s care
The Lord is my Shepherd
May heaven’s eternal joy be thine
Love is eternal
Where there is great love there are always miracles
May she (he) rest in peace with God
Not my will but thine be done
Blessed sleep to which we all return
Let her own works praise her at the gates
Generous of heart, constant of faith
Out of sorrow God speaks to us best
Our love goes with you and our souls wait to join you
And I will give you rest
Trust in God
And so when little ones depart,
We who are left behind,
Must realise how much God
Loves little children –
For angels are hard to find.
Into paradise the angels lead you live well – laugh often – love much
Goodness is its own reward
Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be (Browning)
Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories
A lady of great character whose judgement, humour, and friendly spirit brought out the finest in those around her. The influence of her life upon others is a flame that will ever burn brightly
Your love will forever be in our hearts
Until we meet again
Our love is eternal
For yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow is only a vision
Those we love remain with us For love itself lives on
I have fought the good fight
I have finished my course
I have kept the faith
Rest, O weary traveller for with the dawn comes great joy
I am not afraid of tomorrow for I have seen yesterday and I love today
If our love could have saved him (her) He (She) would not have died
Step softly, a dream lies buried here
God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference
Great love lives on
His courage, his smile, his grace
Gladdened the hearts of those who have the privilege of loving him
He (She) touched the lives of many
While we have time, let us do good
May the peace of the Lord be with you
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills
All things change, but God remains
God is our refuge and our strength
All things to the glory of God
Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal
A man must stand erect, not be kept erect by others
We lived together in happiness, we rest together in peace
A beloved Mother (Father) (Son) (Daughter)
Love lives on
She (He) touched everyone with special love and kindness
We miss you
A free spirit
Our little angel
An Inspiration to all
We love you always
With all my love
There was grace in her steps, love in every gesture
Forever young, forever in our hearts
May she (he) be remembered as she (he) remembered others
A life full of years of understanding
Peace is thine and sweet remembrance is ours
A woman of virtue, kindness and modesty
Your patient courage is a beloved memory kindness
How beautiful life was to me
Her works were kindness, her deeds were love
A tender mother (father), a faithful friend
A friend to many and sadly missed
Our love is love forever
Wonderful was your love for us
Love never ends
They gave their today for our tomorrow
He (She) loved and was loved
Love makes memory eternal
To live in the hearts of others is not to die
A gentle man (woman)
She (He) loved everyone
A man, genuine at heart,
A true friend to all,
