You've chosen the perfect cremation urn for your loved one, and you know that you would like it laser engraved with a personalized inscription including the name and dates of birth and death.
But now it is time to decide exactly what to have inscribed, you wonder: what format should we use?
Should it be just the name, or should the urn say "In Loving Memory" first? What about the dates? Just numbers, or should the months be spelled out? Should there be a memorial quote or epitaph? What one short phrase could possibly sum up a person's life?
Ultimately, these decisions come down to the personal preferences of the family. But if you would like some guidance on the standard formats commonly used for urn inscriptions, or ideas for meaningful quotes, poems, and Bible verses, here is our guide to cremation urn inscriptions.
Inscription Formats
Standard urn inscription format
In Loving Memory
John Doe
January 1, 1943 – December 31, 1999
Other first lines
In Loving Memory Of
In Memorium
In Remembrance
In Fondest Memory Of
In Treasured Memory Of
In Honored Memory Of
In Cherished Memory Of
Happy Memories Of
Other epitaph date formats
1/1/43 – 12/31/99
1/1/1943 – 12/31/1999
Jan. 1, 1943 – Dec. 31, 1999
1943 – 1999
Additional lines format
Often a short epitaph, 2-15 words in length, will be engraved below the dates. See below for list of short epitaphs. The format would then look like this:
In Loving Memory
Jane Doe
January 1, 1943 – December 31, 1999
Faithful Wife, Loving Mother
Including a middle name
John D. Doe
John David Doe
Including a nickname
John “Jack” Doe
Urn Inscription Epitaph Quotes
Bible verses for epitaph
Choosing a select few word to represent and memorialize the life of a loved one is a daunting task. When putting an inscription on an urn, or an epitaph on a headstone, the important features to look for in a quote are significance, brevity, and relevance.
If you would like to honor the faith of a loved one by inscribing a Scripture verse on the urn or headstone, the significance of the quotation is already inherent. After all, the Bible is the Word of God, and what could be more significant than the very breath of God?
As for brevity, below we have gathered a selection of brief and fitting Scripture verses for an epitaph. These verses are listed in the English Standard Version of the Bible. These Bible verses will fit on most cremation urns and memorial headstones in a readable font size. If the verse sounds familiar but not quite the way you remember it, it may be that you have heard the verse before in the King James Version or some other translation.
The last feature that should be considered for a epitaph inscription is relevance to the individual’s life and faith. Only you and those closest to the deceased can determine this, so peruse these Scriptures with an eye toward the verse’s relevance to your loved one.
Scriptures are listed below in the order that they appear in the Bible.
Popular Bible verses
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
- Deuteronomy 6:4
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
- Psalm 23:1
I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
- Psalm 23:6
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust.
- Psalm 40:4
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
- Psalm 46:1
Be still, and know that I am God.
- Psalm 46:10
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
- Psalm 91:1
The Lord is near to all who call on him.
- Psalm 145:18
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end.
- Lamentations 3:22
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Matthew 5:8
…the one who endures to the end will be saved.
- Matthew 10:22
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- Matthew 11:28
Well done, good and faithful servant.
- Matthew 25:21
Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master.
- Matthew 25:21
Not my will, but yours, be done
- Luke 22:42
Whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
- John 3:15
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
- John 3:16
Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.
- John 5:24
He…has passed from death to life.
- John 5:24
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
- John 8:32
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
- John 10:10
I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.
- John 11:25
I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
- John 14:6
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
- John 15:13
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.
- Acts 16:31
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Romans 5:8
We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.
- Romans 8:28
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
- Romans 10:13
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
- II Corinthians 5:17
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
- Galatians 2:20
For by grace you have been saved through faith.
- Ephesians 2:8
To live is Christ, and to die is gain.
-Philippians 1:21
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
- Hebrews 11:1
God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
- I John 4:16
God is love.
- I John 4:16
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Revelation 2:10
Related: The Best Bible Verses for Funerals
Poems for epitaph
Poetry has long served as a means for expressing thoughts and emotions concerning life, death, love, and loss. A quote from a poem can be perfectly suited for honoring your loved one's life, while at the same time expressing your sorrow in their passing.
For inscriptions on headstones, tombstones, or cremation urns, keep in mind the surface area available when choosing or composing the epitaph, as space is usually limited. Sometimes just the first line can be engraved, or, with some of our urns, an inscription with name and dates can go on the front and a longer poem can be etched on the top or back.
Below are many favorite short epitaph poems for use as an inscription on an urn or a headstone.
Short epitaph poems
Not Forgotten
You are not forgotten, loved one
Nor will you ever be
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee
-
A Lovely Lane
Memory is a lovely lane,
Where hearts are ever true,
A lane I so often travel down,
Because it leads to you.
-
Beloved By All
His charming ways and smiling face,
Are a pleasure to recall,
He had a kindly word for each,
And died beloved by all.
-
A Silent Thought
A silent thought, a secret tear,
Keeps his memory ever dear.
Time eases the edge of grief,
Memory turns back every leaf.
-
Thy Presence, My Light
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
-
We Shall Meet at Last
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
-
Still Loved & Missed
Though absent you are very near
Still loved, still missed, and very dear
-
Death Cannot Sever
There is a link death cannot sever,
Love and remembrance last forever
-
Remembered Always
Remembered always with love sincere
Memories keep him ever near
-
You Live On
You still live on in the hearts and minds
Of the loving family you left behind
-
Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee
Short epitaphs for urn inscription
Loving Father, Husband, Brother, and Friend
Loving Mother, Wife, Sister, and Friend
Faithful and Loving Husband
Faithful and Loving Wife
Sadly Missed, Lovingly Remembered
Forever Remembered, Forever Missed
Forever In Our Hearts
At Rest
At Peace
All Will Be Well
Though Gone From Sight To Memory Dear
Until We Meet Again
Safe At Last the Harbour Past
Forever In Our Thoughts
Rest In Peace
May He Rest In Peace
May She Rest In Peace
We Love You Always
He Loved and Was Loved
She Loved and Was Loved
Much Loved
Peace At Last
Short epitaphs for urn inscription - Christian / religious
Safe In the Arms of Jesus
Asleep In Jesus
He, Being Dead, Yet Speaketh (Hebrews 11:4)
Absent From the Body, Present With the Lord
I Know My Redeemer Lives
I Will Glory in My Redeemer
In the Cross of Christ I Glory
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Blessed Are the Dead That Die In the Lord
In His Keeping
In God’s Hand
In God’s Care
Find more inspiration for inscriptions here:
- Best Memorial Quotes for Inscriptions, Epitaphs, & More
- 50 "In Loving Memory" Quotes
- "Together Forever" Quotes for Couples
- Urn Personalization: A Guide to Personalized Urns
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