Obituary Quotes: Lines That Honor a Life Well Lived

Where obituary quotes appear

Obituary quotes serve three roles: an opening line that sets the tone, a closing line that sends the person off, and occasional inline lines that anchor a section of the obituary. Most obituaries use two quotes, one opening and one closing, though some use only one or none.

The opening quote is read first and sets expectations. It should match the tone of the obituary: formal obituaries use religious or literary quotes; personal obituaries use conversational or humorous lines. The closing quote is read last and often carries the emotional weight.

Traditional opening quotes

These quotes work for formal obituaries:

• “In Loving Memory of [Name]”
• “[Name], [age], of [city], passed away on [date]”
• “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of [Name]”
• “It is with great sadness that we share the news of [Name]‘s passing”
• “[Name] departed this life on [date]”

The opening establishes the basic facts (name, age, location, date of death) and the tone. For a formal obituary, the language is formal. For a personal obituary, the language can be more conversational.

Religious opening quotes

For families of faith:

• “[Name] was called home to be with the Lord on [date]”
• “Rest in peace, [Name]. Your work on earth is done.”
• “[Name] is now at peace with our Heavenly Father”
• “In God’s loving care, [Name] passed away on [date]”

These openings set a religious tone that carries through the rest of the obituary.

Personal opening quotes

For obituaries that lean personal:

• “There is no good way to start this. [Name] died on [date], and we are all still figuring out what to do with that.”
• “If you knew [Name], you knew laughter. [Name] died on [date] after a long and improbable life.”
• “[Name] was not a quiet person. The fact that this obituary has to be written at all is, frankly, ironic.”

Personal openings work when the obituary is intended to capture the person’s voice.

Traditional closing quotes

These work for formal obituaries:

• “Rest in peace”
• “Gone but never forgotten”
• “Forever in our hearts”
• “May [Name]‘s memory be a blessing”
• “Until we meet again”

Religious closing quotes

For families of faith:

• “Well done, good and faithful servant”
• “The Lord is my shepherd”
• “May perpetual light shine upon [Name]”
• “Safe in the arms of Jesus”
• “Heaven gained an angel on [date]“

Personal closing quotes

For obituaries that lean personal:

• “What a life. What a person. We will carry both forward.”
• “[Name] would have hated this obituary. That’s why we wrote it.”
• “Don’t be sad it’s over. Be glad it happened.”
• “We love you. We miss you. We will see you again.”

Personal closings work when the obituary is meant to feel like the person wrote it (or approved it).

Humorous closing quotes (When appropriate)

For a person known for humor:

• “[Name] always said they wanted a simple obituary. Sorry.”
• “Rest in peace, and please, no more bad jokes from beyond the grave.”
• “Tell everyone up there we said hello.”

Humor in obituaries works when it fits the person. The family and friends should recognize the voice.

Choosing the Right Quote

Pick one opening and one closing quote. The opening sets the tone; the closing carries the weight. Both should match the tone of the obituary and the personality of the deceased.

When in doubt, keep it simple. A short, sincere quote often lands harder than a long, literary one. The obituary is about the person, not the writing.

FAQ

What is a good opening quote for an obituary?”In Loving Memory of [Name],” “[Name], [age], of [city], passed away on [date],” and “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of [Name]” are three of the most widely used opening lines. Match the tone to the person.

What is a good closing quote for an obituary?”Rest in peace,” “Gone but never forgotten,” “Forever in our hearts,” and “May [Name]‘s memory be a blessing” are common closing lines. For religious obituaries, “Well done, good and faithful servant” is widely used.

How many quotes should an obituary include?Most obituaries include two quotes, one opening and one closing. Some include only one (usually the closing). Long obituaries occasionally include a third inline quote.

Can I use humor in an obituary?Yes, when it fits the person. Many obituaries honor a deceased loved one known for humor with funny one-liners and self-aware observations. The humor should feel affectionate, not jarring.

What is the difference between an obituary quote and an epitaph?An obituary quote appears in the printed or online obituary. An epitaph is the inscription on a headstone or marker. Obituary quotes tend to be longer; epitaphs are typically short.

Where can I find more obituary quote examples?Funeral homes, obituary-writing services, and memorial websites maintain extensive libraries of obituary quotes. Newspaper archives and online obituary aggregators also provide examples that match different tones and traditions.

References

• https://www.dignitymemorial.com/memorial-services/planning-a-celebration-of-life/quotes
• https://www.after.com/articles/celebration-life-quotes
• https://www.gardeniafunerals.com.au/blog/100-celebration-of-life-quotes/
• https://www.milanomonuments.com/blog/97-memorial-quotes-to-use-for-inspiration
• https://titancasket.com/blogs/funeral-guides-and-more/best-memorial-quotes
• https://www.utterlyprintable.com/blog/funerals-memorials/20-charming-quotes-to-put-on-your-funeral-announcement-card/
• https://rfhr.com/celebration-of-life-quotes-that-stir-the-soul/
• https://www.thelivingurn.com/blogs/news/50-popular-quotes-for-funerals-and-memorial-services