Grave Marker Quotes: Tips for Choosing the Perfect Message
Jill Darby 
If you have recently taken a walk through a cemetery, you may have noticed that most grave memorials have messages and words of endearment commemorating the life of the person who passed away. These tributes, known as epitaphs or inscriptions, play an essential part in honoring the life of a loved one.
Grave marker quotes can be simple and just include a few descriptive words or they can be more detailed, offering a reflection of the loved one’s values, character, or personality. Epitaphs in the form of verses, quotes, and sayings can also be used to express real emotion or convey a strong feeling.
Selecting a special message for a spouse, family member or friend’s grave memorial can be challenging. Oftentimes, there are so many things you want to say about your loved one and summarizing a life in a few words can be difficult. You must take into consideration what you, personally, would like the grave marker to say, what your loved one would have wanted, and what future visitors to the graveside would appreciate reading.
Types of Grave Marker Inscriptions
There are many different types of grave marker inscriptions that you can take inspiration from for your loved one. Browse a few special memorial quotes and sayings below.
Familial Relations
For many people, family is the most important part of their life as well as the legacy they will be leaving behind.
It’s very common to see grave memorials that depict the familial role the person who passed away played while living. Many markers will include mother/father, sister/brother, daughter/son or grandmother/grandfather in the epitaph. Words of endearment such as “loving”, “devoted” and “beloved” regularly precede the familial role.
For example, a grave marker may read, “Devoted husband, father, and son.” Sometimes the grave marker will include the first names of the deceased’s children or grandchildren as well.
Classic Epitaphs
Classic epitaphs can be used for many individuals regardless of their gender, beliefs, or journey in life. These types of traditional inscriptions are timeless and more general in nature. They are simple, yet make it clear to visitors that the person lived, was loved and will be remembered.
- In loving memory
- Gone but not forgotten
- Rest in peace
- Deeply mourned, fondly loved
- Forever in our hearts
- Everlasting in our thoughts
- A journey ended, a legacy lives on
- In the hands of eternity
General Quotes
Including a quote in a grave marker’s engraving is a great way to give it personality. A particular phrase the person who passed away said to express their life’s motto or one that made others laugh would certainly be appropriate to use it as an epitaph.
Well-known quotes from famous people can also be used to memorialize a loved one. Dr. Suess’s quote, “To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world,” and Oscar Wilde’s quote, “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars,” are both examples of quotes fitting for a grave memorial.
If someone one was an avid reader, a quote from a book that is relevant to the person’s life may be inscribed on the marker. The length of the excerpt may be limited by the size of the grave memorial. Longer verses can be engraved on the reverse side of an upright headstone.
Military Service
A grave marker’s inscription can be used to honor a veteran of the United States military and will typically include an abbreviation denoting rank and branch of service.
War service and any awards the individual may have received are also included. Additional words of endearment can be incorporated into the etching as well.
- Duty, honor, country. Well done, be thou at peace.
- A life of beauty and service
- Brave in spirit, strong in love
- At rest, a soldier and defender of the Constitution
- Forever in the service of freedom
- Valor beyond words, love beyond measure
- Guardian of liberty, heart of gold
Religious Affiliation
Religious epitaphs have been used for centuries as a way to represent a loved one’s spiritual connections. They can be comforting and uplifting to families and friends who will be visiting a loved one’s grave. Religious inscriptions can be in the form of a memorial phrase or a bible verse.
- Parted by death, we’ll be reunited in Heaven.
- In God’s care
- Don’t weep. I’m simply resting in God’s arms.
- Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
- A life inspired by faith and guided by love
- Resting in the promise of eternal life
- By grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8)
Hobbies and Pastimes
Hobbies and pastimes can occupy a great deal of a person’s time, especially for a retiree. Incorporating a phrase that references what the departed enjoyed doing helps maintain a sense of connection to those interests for those left behind.
- Gardening in Heaven
- Dance on…
- Gone fishing
- Riding off into the sunset
- Gone hunting
- Painting rainbows from above
- Sewing stars in the sky
Similarly, a sports-themed epitaph is well-suited for a star athlete or avid sport fan.
- Running marathons in heaven
- A role model for young athletes
- Gone but not forgotten, just like a home run
- Nothing but net
- A true champion
- Played the game of life to the fullest
- A sports fanatic and fierce competitor
- Loved the crack of the bat and roar of the crowd
Professional Career
If the special person who passed away had a deep passion for their occupation, sometimes their professional title or a reference to their career is part of a grave marker’s engraving as a way to honor the work they spent their life doing.
This is especially true if the person had a service oriented occupation such as a doctor, nurse, pastor, police officer, firefighter or teacher.
- To be a nurse is to walk with God
- Bravest among the brave, our firefighter
- Doctor of many, healer of hearts
- In the line of duty, a guardian stood tall
- Dedicated and proud police officer
- Suffering servant, preacher of grace
You can also choose a quote that resonates with an educator’s teaching style. For example, a teacher known for their sense of humor might have a grave marker that reads, “I never let my schooling interfere with my education.” Or, a teacher who was passionate about science might have a memorial that says, “The universe is not made of atoms, it’s made of stories.” The possibilities are endless.
- He/She taught from the heart, not the book
- Planted the seeds of knowledge and watched them grow
- Learning is a lifelong adventure
- She inspired many young minds during her 50 years of teaching
- Forever remembered for shaping young minds
- A guardian of knowledge and wisdom
- His/her guidance continues to light our way
Organizational Involvement
Loved ones who were heavily involved in groups such as charities, clubs, fraternities and sororities may want the pride they took in their participation be known to future generations. The person’s years of membership or specific role they served such as president, vice president or secretary can be incorporated into the marker’s engraving.
- Gave more than they received, for in giving they believed
- United in passion, divided by time
- A beacon of fellowship and dedication
- Brother in bond, forever in heart
- Bound by commitment, driven by passion
- Wove threads of gold, through groups and causes, stories untold
Travel & Exploration
Choosing a quote that is more specific to the person’s travel style or favorite destinations can be fitting for someone who loved to explore the world. For instance, a quote for a backpacker might be, “I traveled the world with nothing but a backpack and a dream.” Conversely, a quote for a cruise lover might be “I’ve been to every continent and sailed every ocean.”
- Exploring the heavens above
- An adventurer who walked the Earth with an open heart
- Resting in the embrace of the world
- A life well-traveled, a soul forever free
- A traveler’s spirit, now at rest but forever inspired
- A wanderlust soul
- No stone unturned and no path unexplored
Personality Traits
Epitaphs can encompass the loved one’s persona in many unique ways. Kind, loving, gentle and loyal can be used to praise the humble virtues of the person who passed away.
For those who had a sense of humor, lighthearted epitaphs can be used to remind graveside visitors of the laughter the person who passed away brought to their life.
- I told you I was sick
- I will not be right back after this message
- Don’t forget to feed the cats
- I made some good deals and I made some bad ones. I really went into the hole with this one.
- Finally, some peace and quiet
- He left us with hundreds of stories, most of them true
- I’m taking a really long nap
- If you can read this, you’re standing too close
The Arts
Poetry, plays and song lyrics can be a beautiful source of inspiration for a gravestone.
A poem that expresses sadness and is usually written about someone’s death is called an elegy. Kahlil Gibran’s “On Death”, Emily Dickenson’s “I shall know why — when Time is over –“, and W.B. Yeats’ “The Cloths of Heaven” are all great examples of appropriate poems for grave markers.
William Shakespeare is the most well known playwright whose work included a vast number of quotes about death. “Thou know’st ‘tis common; all that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity,” (Hamlet 1.11 73) and “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely player,” (As You Like It 2.7 139) have both been used as epitaphs.
It may be fitting to inscribe musical lyrics on a grave memorial if the song’s words remind you of the person who passed away or apply to his or her life. A grave memorial with song lyrics are also suitable if the person passed away liked to sing, played an instrument or had a great love for music.
Love of Animals
For someone who held a special place in their heart for animals, or who thought of their pets as true family members, a grave memorial inscription reflecting that affection may be appropriate. Whether they were a caretaker, an advocate, or simply had a home filled with furry and feathered friends, an animal-themed inscription could be fitting.
- With furry Companions forever
- In the company of angels with paws
- Paws and purrs over all
- Voice for the voiceless
- Nurturer of nature’s kindest souls
- Safe in the embrace of furry angels
The Beauty of Personalization
In addition to words of remembrance, most grave markers include emblems which can be incorporated in the marker’s tribute. Symbols related to religion, hobbies, sports, nature and so much more can be featured on a grave marker to enhance its personalization features. Trigard Memorials has over 14,000 emblems to choose from in their online library.
When deciding between grave marker quotes, keep in mind that short, simple epitaphs can be just as impactful as longer, more elaborate ones. Epitaphs vary greatly in context and have the ability to serve many meaningful purposes. They are a way to preserve a loved one’s enduring memory by reflecting their spirit and providing future graveside visitors with a glimpse into their life’s story.
Jill Darby
Jill is a member of the Marketing Team and copywriter for Trigard Memorials and all affiliated Greenwood Inc. companies. She grew up in the funeral industry, as her family owned funeral homes in the Midwest. After graduating from Miami University, Ohio in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Jill worked in sales and customer relations for a global funeral product manufacturer. Her experience also includes merchandising, cemetery operations, and aftercare. Jill and her husband, Rich enjoy spending time with family, traveling, watching college basketball, and spoiling their 5 grandchildren.
How to write perfect epitaph for husband who loved fishing and hunting and smoked until he died
Thank you for your interest in our blog. We are happy to offer up a suggestion for the epitaph: When I get to heaven, amidst the smoke rings, you will find me with my rifle and a fishing pole.
Loved to ride a motorcycle and eating . We always kidded him…..with the saying. Live to ride, ride to eat !!
Hi Wanda, Thank you for sharing this quote. Such a fitting tribute for a special person. Take care, Jill
Can you please help me? I need something to say that reflects my precious young granddaughter’s love to swing. She also loved balloons, rabbits and roses. I would like something, a memory, which brings smiles, not tears. How can you say how much a departed, young, 71/2 year old beautiful, precious granddaughter meant to you on a simple headstone? Can you please give me more than one suggestion? With much gratitude,
Hi Donna, I am deeply sorry for the loss of your dear granddaughter. It sounds like she was a very special little girl. I’ve come up with a few options for you to consider. You’ll notice that they vary in length. Hopefully, one will resonate with you, or at least provide some inspiration. Take care, Jill
“Dancing among roses, chasing rabbits in her dreams, our sweet girl swings high in the heavens with balloons in her hand.”
“Surrounded by roses and rabbits, our precious child swings in the sky, balloons guiding her heavenly flight.”
“In heaven’s garden, our sweet girl swings above roses and rabbits, soaring with balloons.”
Needing to find the perfect quote for my teenage son who committed suicide after being bullied. He was D1 athlete and he was so very kind and his smile literally lit up the room.
Felicia, I am so very sorry for your loss. You must have been so proud of him, his accomplishments, and the kindness brought to the world. Below are a couple of inscription ideas for you to consider. Hopefully, one will resonate with you, or spark some ideas of your own.
“A true champion in sport and in life, remembered always for his kind spirit.”
“In loving memory of a star athlete whose kindness and bright smile outshone even his brightest victories”
“In memory of a young athlete, whose spirit soared high and smile warmed every heart.”
“A Kind Heart, Winning Spirit, and a Bright Smile, Forever Missed, Forever Loved.”
My sister was always focused on the needs of her parents, siblings, partner, loving dogs, and nurse for the most severely mentally ill. She was a gift with no strings attached to thise she loved.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful reflection about your sister. You must miss her dearly. Her memory will certainly live on in the lives of all those she touched with her kindness and selfless acts.