Quotes for When a Loved One Dies

We engrave a lot of remembrance quotes for loved ones onto cremation urns, grave markers, and sympathy gifts. In our time, we've seen a bit of everything: Inspirational quotes, variations of "in loving memory," faith-based quotes, humor, romance, condolence, and much more.

When you're not sure what to say - on the urn, grave marker, memorial plaque, or sympathy gift - this is your resource for meaningful quotes.

Here are over 100 of the most popular and meaningful quotes for when a loved one dies.

Quotes for When a Loved One Dies

In Loving Memory Quotes

Beautiful memories silently kept
Of one that we loved and will never forget

It's so hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember.

There are no goodbyes for you and me.
Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.

You still live on in the hearts and minds
Of the loving family you left behind

Loving you was the easiest thing I've ever done.
Losing you was the hardest.

Remembered always with love sincere
Memories keep you ever near

Though absent you are very near
Still loved, still missed, and very dear

In memory of a life so beautifully lived and a heart so deeply loved

A beautiful soul is not forgotten

Deep in my heart you will always stay
Loved and remembered every day

Wherever I go, whatever I do
Memories keep me nearer to you

I can no longer see you with my eyes
But I will feel you in my heart forever

I will hold you in my heart until I can hold you in heaven.

Goodbyes are not forever;
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again

Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal
Love leaves memories that no one can steal

Our hearts still ache in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to love you
No one will ever know

Love you past the moon
Miss you beyond the stars

Your wings were ready but our hearts were not.

"If I had a single flower for every time I think about you,
I could walk forever in my garden."

- Claudia Ghandi

“If there ever comes a day where we can’t be together,
keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.”

- Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)

Quotes for Headstones, Urns, and Memorials

In Loving Memory

In Remembrance

In Cherished Memory of

Forever Remembered, Forever Missed

Always Loved, Never Forgotten

Though Gone From Sight To Memory Dear

Blessed Are the Dead That Die In the Lord

Until We Meet Again

Forever In Our Hearts

Forever In Our Thoughts

He asked for so little, but gave so very much

If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever

We know you would be here today
If heaven weren't so far away

You were my favorite hello
And my hardest goodbye

You are not forgotten, loved one
Nor will you ever be
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee

Gone yet not forgotten
Although we are apart
Your spirit lives within me
Forever in my heart

You left us many memories
Your love is still our guide
And though we cannot see you
You're always by our side

There is a link death cannot sever,
Love and remembrance last forever

The song is ended
But the melody lingers on

- Irving Berlin

Rest In Peace

Shop the best and most beautiful cremation urns here.

Inspirational Quotes About the Death of a Loved One

To live is Christ
And to die is gain
- Philippians 1:21

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
- Psalm 23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end.
- Lamentations 3:22

Well done, good and faithful servant.
- Matthew 25:21

More Bible verse quotes for inscriptions here.

His charming ways and smiling face,
Are a pleasure to recall,
He had a kindly word for each,
And died beloved by all.

A family is a circle of love, not broken by a loss, but made stronger by the memories. We are forever blessed that God connected us to you.

Memory is a lovely lane,
Where hearts are ever true,
A lane I so often travel down,
Because it leads to you.

If tears could build a stairway
And memories a lane;
I'd walk right up to heaven
And bring you home again.

Those we love can never be more than a thought away
For as long as there is a memory, they live in our hearts to stay

A piece of my heart lives among the moon and the stars.

"Miss me a little, but not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared
Miss me, but let me go."

- Christina Rosetti

"God gave us memory so we may have roses in December."

- J.M. Barrie

"The passing of the years awakens in our hearts the cry for permanence."

- F. B. Meyer (full quote here, it's good)

"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."

- Helen Keller

When I die
Plant flowers over my grave
So when the seeds bloom
You can pick me
And hold me again

When someone you love becomes a memory
That memory becomes a treasure

Eulogy Quotes

The years may pass but you will stay
As near and dear as yesterday

Wherever a beautiful soul has been there will be a trail of beautiful memories.

It's hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember.

There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

- Attributed to Abraham Lincoln, but probably Edward J. Stieglitz

"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."

- Winston Churchill

"There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle."

- Albert Einstein

"Don't cry because it's over;
Smile because it happened."

- Dr. Suess

More eulogy quotes (and great advice on writing eulogies) here.

Short Condolence Messages

I will always hold in my heart wonderful memories of your mother. (Father, brother, etc)

Tears are words the heart can't say.

Wherever a beautiful soul has been there will be a trail of beautiful memories.

Even though no one can truly understand your sense of loss, I wanted you to know that our hearts are aching for you.

It's perfectly ok to admit that you're not ok.

Words can't wipe away your tears
Hugs won't ease the pain
But hold on to your memories
Forever they'll remains

His life was a blessing,
His memory a treasure
He is loved beyond words
And missed beyond measure

You are in our hearts and prayers during this sad and trying time.

Though our words can do little, we hope our thoughts and prayers will support you in this time.

There is nothing I can say to take away your hurt, but know that you have my shoulder to cry on and my arms for loving hugs. Know that I will be here for you when you need me.

"Where words are most empty, tears are most apt."

- Max Lucado

"Think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched... for nothing loved is ever lost, and he was loved so much."

- Ellen Brennerman

Quotes About Grief

"How happy I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

- Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)

"Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you apart."

- Haruki Murakami

"Our memories of our loved ones are the pearl we form around the grain of grief that causes us pain."

- Jeff Zentner

"Tears are the silent language of grief."

- Voltaire

"It's hard when you miss people. But, you know, if you miss them it means you were lucky. It means you had someone special in your life, someone worth missing."

- Nathan Scott

"Grief is just love with no place to go."

- Jamie Anderson

A silent thought, a secret tear,
Keeps his memory ever dear.
Time eases the edge of grief,
Memory turns back every leaf.

The loss is immeasurable, but so is the love left behind.

There isn't a day that goes by where I don't, at some point, think of you.

Grief only exists where love lived first.

I only miss you when I'm breathing.

Cry. Laugh. Remember.

Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.

Grief is the last act of love we can give to those we loved. Where there is deep grief, there was great love.

More quotes about grief here.

What to Say When Someone Dies

"When we ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain. That is a friend who cares."

- Henri Nouwen

There is a lot of advice on what to say when someone dies. You can read more about what to say in a sympathy card and what to do and say at a funeral.

But all the advice boils down to this:

• Say something. Don't just avoid grieving family members; acknowledge them, acknowledge their loss, express your sympathy, let them know you care. It doesn't have to be profound or even much. Just say something.
• Use appropriate touch. Shake their hand, touch them gently on the shoulder, or give a brief hug. Not everyone wants to be touched, but for the most part, an appropriate gesture like this will be appreciated.
• Use the decedent's name. Most of us naturally assume that mentioning the person's name will stir up difficult emotions. While there may be truth to that, it can lead towards an unconscious "erasing" of that person's existence. Now that they're gone, we don't talk about them. That's the last thing a grieving person wants! Their loved one is still very near, in their thoughts and memories. When you avoid talking about the decedent or mentioning their name, it can feel like a form of invalidation. So don't be afraid; you can simply say, "I'll miss Jim too. He was a great guy. I'm sorry for your loss."
• Avoid stupid comments. This is the one most of us worry about. But if you avoid unnecessary questions ("How did they die?"), empty sentimental platitudes ("God must have wanted them more than we did"), surface-level religious quotes ("There's a reason for everything!") or thoughtless comments ("You can always have another baby") by simply thinking for about 3 seconds before you say something, then you'll be fine.
• Offer specific help. Don't say "let me know if there's anything I can do." They won't let you know. Instead, think of ways you might be able to offer assistance and ask if you can do that. "Can I pick up the kids after school for you?"

Learn more about what grieving people wish you knew.