Memorial Inscription: Format, Ideas and Quotes for Urn or Headstone Epitaph
When suddenly faced with the death of a loved one and the myriad of decisions about final arrangements, memorial service details, burial or cremation, etc., it is often difficult to sit and think well about what to put on a memorial stone or cremation urn as an epitaph to commemorate a loved one’s life. Here are some standard formatting options and ideas for headstone and urn inscriptions to start you on the right track.
Standard Inscription Format:
In Loving Memory
John Doe
January 1, 1943 – December 31, 1999
Other first lines:
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:
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
Engraving a middle name:
John D. Doe
John David Doe
Engraving a nickname:
John “Jack” Doe
Bible Verses for Headstone or Urn Inscription:
(For more Scripture verses fit for an epitaph, click here.)
Love is patient, love is kind.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
God is our refuge and our strength.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
(NIV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)
He gives His beloved sleep.
The Lord bless thee and keep thee;
The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.
And so we will be with the Lord forever.
We live by faith, not by sight.
Short Epitaph Poems for Headstone or Urn Inscription:
You are not forgotten, loved one
Nor will you ever be
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee
Memory is a lovely lane,
Where hearts are ever true,
A lane I so often travel down,
Because it leads to you.
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 secret tear,
Keeps his memory ever dear.
Time eases the edge of grief,
Memory turns back every leaf.
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.
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.
Though absent you are very near
Still loved, still missed, and very dear
There is a link death cannot sever,
Love and remembrance last forever
Remembered always with love sincere
Memories keep him ever near
You still live on in the hearts and minds
Of the loving family you left behind
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee
Short Epitaphs for Headstone or Urn Inscription:
Loving Father, Husband, Brother, and Friend
Loving Mother, Wife, Sister, and Friend
Faithful and Loving Husband
Faithful and Loving Wife
(etc.)
Sadly Missed, Lovingly Remembered
Forever Remembered, Forever Missed
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
In God’s Care
I Know My Redeemer Lives
We Love You Always
He Loved and Was Loved
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
Forever In Our Hearts
At Rest
At Peace
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
Much Loved
Peace At Last
–
If you are searching for an urn to engrave, Urns Northwest offers a wide variety of wood and other cremation urns which can be engraved with a personalized inscription.
Daniel Szczesniak is manager for retail cremation urn website Urns Northwest.
