Short Memorial Quotes for Loved Ones

Finding the right words to perfectly commemorate a lost loved one can be extremely difficult. Even if you are skilled with words, it is so hard to do a person’s memory justice, and to sum up a whole life in just a short inscription can feel like another pressure among the many that come with the departure of someone close to you.

In the modern world inscriptions can come in all forms. Whether you’re honouring the memory of your loved one with a traditional headstone, laying them to rest in a crypt, writing an epitaph for a plaque in a columbarium or even a park bench, a moving inscription will not only help you to celebrate the relationship you had with the departed, but it will also convey that relationship in a meaningful way to others.

The inscription on your loved one’s memorial will be there for many years – perhaps until long after you have passed away. It is therefore vital to choose the perfect message that will keep their memory alive throughout the decades.

Short headstone and memorial plaque quotes

Shorter headstones and memorial plaques, though smaller in size, make equally beautiful memorials to loved ones who have passed. Short, simple yet meaningful quotes can be added, including prayers, remembrances and allusions to their lives. If you’re unsure about what to choose for a headstone or memorial plaque inscription, you can take inspiration from or use commonly used memorial quotes. It can be helpful to look for sources of inspiration when composing a memorial inscription. Here is a list of short memorial plaque wording ideas for loved ones to inspire you and to help you make that all important decision.

• In loving memory
• Rest in peace
• Peace, perfect peace
• Reunited at last
• Forever with the Lord
• Our loss is God’s gain
• Pray for the soul of…

Headstone Epitaphs for both Parents

Shared graves and memorials are a beautiful way to commemorate an everlasting love. If you are laying both of your parents to rest in the same spot, choosing a memorial inscription that will reflect both their individual personalities and celebrate their relationship is important. 

If you are writing headstone epitaphs for parents on a shared grave, one good way

 of doing this is to follow both of their inscriptions with a second, joint inscription that commemorates them both. If on the other hand your parents are buried in the same spot, but have separate headstones, you could have a similar design or two complementary inscriptions etched onto them.

Examples of beautiful words to put on a headstone for both parents:

• Beloved by all who knew them
• Ours is love everlasting
• Death cannot part them
• Missed by all
• Safely home
• Forever together, Mum & Dad
• Life is not forever – love is
• Until we meet again
• Always together, never apart, joined as one heart
• Gone but not forgotten
• Goodnight and God bless you
• I love you
• Married [insert number of years here]
• Treasured memories of our dear parents

Memorial Quotes for Fathers/Dads

Here’s a collection of meaningful short headstone sayings for fathers. These will help you to remember his enduring influence and treasured memories: 

• Our loving father
• Beloved father
• Devoted father
• In loving memory of [insert name here]
• Beloved by all who knew him
• Gone but not forgotten

Headstone Sayings for Mothers

Here’s a list of touching headstone sayings that reflect the special bond between a mother and her children. These examples capture the love, guidance and strength that mother figures embody:

• Our loving mother
• Beloved mother
• Devoted mother
• In loving memory of [insert name here]
• Beloved by all who knew her
• Gone but not forgotten

Sister Memorial Quotes

Cherish the memory of your sister with these memorial quotes that capture the love and bond you share:

• Beloved sister
• In loving memory of our sister [insert name here]
• Rest in peace
• Our loving sister
• Your memory lives on
• Missed forever  
• Farewell

Memorial Quotes for Brothers

Always loved and never forgotten, use these headstone sayings to symbolise the beautiful relationship you have with your brother:

• My dearest brother
• Farewell
• Beloved brother
• Our loving brother
• In loving memory of our brother [insert name here]
• Your memory lives on
• Rest in peace
• Missed forever