Choosing the Right Memorial Verse for a Loved One

Choosing a memorial verse can be one of the most personal parts of creating a memorial card.

Some families know immediately what they would like. It might be a favourite prayer, an Irish blessing or a verse that has been used in the family before. For others, finding the right words can take a little longer.

There is no correct type of memorial verse. What matters is finding words that feel appropriate for the person being remembered and for the family who will keep the card.

At Eternal Memorial Cards, families can choose from our collection of memorial verses or supply their own wording. Here are some ideas to help you decide.

Short Memorial Verses

A short memorial verse can work particularly well when you want the photograph and personal details to remain the main focus of the card.

A few simple lines can often say more than a long poem.

Sample short verse

Forever remembered,
Forever loved,
Always close to us
In the memories we share.

Another short verse

Your place within our family
Can never be replaced,
Your memory lives within our hearts
And time cannot erase.

Short verses are also particularly suitable for memorial bookmarks and wallet cards where space is more limited.

Long Memorial Verses

A longer memorial verse gives you more room to express feelings about the person, their life and the loss felt by those left behind.

Longer verses generally work best on the inside pages of a traditional folded memorial card where the designer has sufficient space to set the words clearly.

Sample longer verse

We think of you in quiet moments,
In stories shared and memories told,
In photographs from years gone by
And precious days we still hold.

Though life has changed without you here,
The love you gave remains,
A lasting part of all our lives
That passing time cannot change.

And when we gather as a family,
Your memory will be there,
In every smile and every story,
And in the love we continue to share.

Religious Memorial Verses

Religious verses remain a traditional choice for many Irish families.

These may include prayers, scripture, references to Heaven or simple words asking God to watch over the person who has died.

Sample religious verse

May God hold you gently
Within His loving care,
And grant you peace in Heaven
Until we meet you there.

Traditional prayers can also be used, including the Eternal Rest, Hail Mary and other prayers that held particular meaning for the person during their lifetime.

Non Religious Memorial Verses

A memorial card does not have to contain religious wording.

Some families prefer words centred entirely on love, memory, family and the life of the person who has died.

Sample non religious verse

We will remember your laughter,
Your kindness and your ways,
The ordinary little moments
That made our happiest days.

You may be absent from our sight,
But memories remain,
And through the stories that we share
You are with us once again.

Memorial Verses for a Mother

When choosing a verse for a mother or mam, families often want the words to reflect the particular place she held within the family.

Sample verse for Mam

You gave us love so freely,
You guided us each day,
And everything you taught us
Will never fade away.

Our home has changed without you,
But one thing will remain,
The love you gave your family
Will always bear your name.

Memorial Verses for a Father

Verses for a father can reflect his character, his work, his humour, his advice or simply the security of having him there.

Sample verse for Dad

Your working hands are resting now,
Your busy days are through,
But everything you gave to us
Remains in all we do.

A father, friend and guiding hand,
So steady, kind and true,
The years may pass but in our hearts
There will always be a place for you.

Memorial Verses for a Grandmother

A grandmother may be remembered through very particular things. Her home, her cooking, her stories, her faith or simply the welcome she gave everyone.

Sample verse for a grandmother

Your door was always open,
There was always time to spare,
A welcome for the family
And kindness everywhere.

Those days are precious memories now,
More treasured as years pass,
For Granny’s love remains with us,
A gift that still will last.

Memorial Verses for a Grandfather

For a grandfather or grandad, simple and personal wording often works particularly well.

Sample verse for Grandad

We remember all your stories,
Your humour and advice,
The time you gave so freely
And the simple things in life.

Grandad, you are missed today
And always will be too,
But countless happy memories
Will keep us close to you.

Memorial Verses for a Husband or Wife

When a husband or wife dies, a general memorial verse may not express the depth of a lifetime spent together.

A more personal verse can acknowledge companionship as well as loss.

Sample verse for a husband or wife

We walked together through the years,
Through happiness and tears,
And built a lifetime full of love
And memories held dear.

Though I must walk without you now,
Our story does not end,
For everything we shared in life
Is with me to the end.

Memorial Verses for a Son or Daughter

Choosing words following the death of a son or daughter can be particularly difficult. There is no need to try to explain the loss.

Simple words of love and remembrance are often enough.

Sample verse

No words could ever measure
The love we have for you,
Or tell how much we miss you
In everything we do.

You will always be our precious one,
Whatever years may pass,
Loved beyond all measure
And remembered to the last.

Memorial Verses for a Brother or Sister

A brother or sister shares a history that few other people share, from childhood memories to family occasions and the ordinary experiences of growing up together.

Sample verse

We shared so many chapters
From childhood through the years,
The laughter and the memories,
The happiness and tears.

Though one of us has gone ahead,
That bond will always stay,
A brother or sister once in life,
And in our hearts each day.

Memorial Verses for a Friend

Not every memorial verse needs to describe a family relationship.

A close friend can have an enormous influence on a person’s life.

Sample verse

A friendship built through many years
Is something time can’t end,
And we will always be grateful
That we could call you friend.

Irish Memorial Verses and Blessings

Irish blessings, prayers and words as Gaeilge can be particularly appropriate where Irish culture, language or heritage was important to the person.

Even a short Irish phrase can make a memorial card more personal.

One familiar choice is:

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

May his soul be at the right hand of God.

For a woman, a hanam is used.

Verses Following a Sudden Death

When someone dies unexpectedly, families sometimes find that conventional memorial wording does not reflect what has happened.

There may have been no opportunity for a final conversation or goodbye.

The wording does not have to explain the circumstances. It can simply acknowledge the suddenness of the loss.

Sample verse

There was no time for one last word,
No chance to say goodbye,
Only memories left behind
And questions asking why.

But through the shock and sadness
One certainty remains,
You were deeply loved throughout your life
And that will never change.

Can We Use Our Own Verse?

Yes.

Some of the most meaningful memorial cards contain words supplied by the family rather than a traditional memorial verse.

It could be a favourite saying, a few lines written by a family member, a prayer, a piece of Irish, or words associated particularly with the person.

You do not have to choose a standard verse simply because it is a memorial card.

Can We Change a Memorial Verse?

In many cases, a verse can be adapted to suit the person being remembered.

For example, references to Mother can be changed to Mam, Mammy, Granny or another name where appropriate. Likewise, wording can sometimes be shortened where space is limited.

If you are changing an established poem, prayer or published work, however, it is worth considering the original wording and any applicable copyright.

Which Verse Works Best on a Memorial Card?

Think about the person before thinking about the verse.

Were they religious?

Would traditional wording have suited them?

Were they someone who preferred simple words?

Is there a particular relationship you want the card to acknowledge?

Would something personal mean more to the family than a familiar memorial poem?

There is no need to choose the longest or most elaborate verse. Sometimes four carefully chosen lines are enough.

You Don’t Have to Decide Everything Straight Away

If you are ordering memorial cards from Eternal Memorial Cards, you can browse our short and long memorial verses or provide your own wording.

Your photographs, wording and chosen verse are then incorporated into the design and a proof is sent to you before printing.

This gives you an opportunity to see how everything looks together and make any necessary changes before the cards are produced.

The right memorial verse is ultimately the one that makes you think of the person you are remembering.