memorial plaque ideas & inspiration
Sayings for Memorial Cards: Short Lines That Last
Sayings for memorial cards , short, sincere lines for the front, inside, and back of a remembrance card or funeral prayer card, with placement tips and examples. prayer card, with placement tips and examples.
What a Memorial card is for
A memorial card is a small printed card that the family hands out at a funeral, a celebration of life, or a graveside service. The card carries the person’s name, dates, a short message, and often a prayer, a verse, or a brief remembrance. Guests take the card home, often fold it into a purse or a coat pocket, and pull it out again on quiet days in the months and years that follow.
The sayings on a memorial card do most of the work. The name and dates identify the person; the saying carries the tone. The saying that works is one that rewards rereading, short, sincere, and durable enough to land the same way a year later as on the day it was printed.
Where the Saying Goes on the Card
A typical memorial card has three places for a saying.
The front of the card usually carries one short line, set in larger type. This is the line that most readers will see and remember. Common front-of-card lines include “In Loving Memory,” “In Memory of a Life Well Lived,” or a single verse that captures the person.
The inside of the card carries the longer content: the person’s name, dates, the service details, and one or two lines of remembrance. The sayings that work inside are slightly longer than the front line and can include a verse, a prayer, or a short eulogy excerpt.
The back of the card carries the closing line, usually a short sentiment like “Forever in our hearts,” “Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts,” or “Until we meet again.” The back line is the last thing the reader sees; it should be one that closes the tribute cleanly.
Short Sayings for the Front of the Card
A few working examples that work on the front of a memorial card:
- “In Loving Memory”
- “In Memory of a Beautiful Soul”
- “A Life Well Lived”
- “Beloved and Remembered”
- “Forever in Our Hearts”
- “Gone From Our Sight, Never From Our Hearts”
These lines are short enough to set in large type, sincere enough to read at a glance, and durable enough to last for years.
Slightly Longer Sayings for the Inside
The inside of the card can carry a verse, a prayer, or a short excerpt. A few examples:
- “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.”
- “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.”
- “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
- “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
- “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.”
- “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
The choice depends on the family and the person. A religious family often chooses a verse from scripture; a secular family often chooses a line about memory and love. Both work; the line that works best is one the family can stand behind.
Closing Sayings for the Back
The back of the card usually carries a single short line, a closing sentiment that brings the card to a close. A few examples:
- “Always With Us”
- “At Peace”
- “Until We Meet Again”
- “Rest in Peace”
- “In God’s Care”
These lines are short enough to set in small type at the bottom of the back of the card, sincere enough to read at a glance, and durable enough to last for years.
Pairing the Sayings with the Person’s Story
The most personal memorial card pairs the standard sayings with a line or two specific to the person. The standard sayings provide the frame; the specific lines provide the detail. A pattern that works: standard front, specific inside, standard back. The standard sayings give the card its familiar shape; the specific lines make it this person rather than any person.
A few specific lines that work on the inside of a memorial card:
- “She loved her garden and Sunday morning coffee.”
- “He was a teacher, a coach, and a friend to everyone who knew him.”
- “She made every room lighter just by walking in.”
- “His laugh was the best sound in any room.”
These specific lines are the ones that the family will point to years later and say, “That’s her.”
What is the most popular saying for a memorial card?"Forever in our hearts" and "Gone from our sight, never from our hearts" are two of the most popular closing lines for memorial cards. "In Loving Memory" is the most common front-of-card line.
How many sayings should a memorial card have?Most memorial cards include two or three sayings: one short line on the front, one slightly longer line or verse on the inside, and a closing line on the back. More than three sayings can make the card feel cluttered.
Can I include a prayer on a memorial card?Yes. Prayers are a common and accepted choice for memorial cards, particularly for religious families. Short prayers like "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord" fit well on the inside of the card.
What is the difference between a memorial card and a funeral card?The two are often used interchangeably. A memorial card is typically distributed at a funeral, celebration of life, or memorial service, while a funeral card is sometimes used specifically for the funeral mass or service itself. The format and content are similar.
How long should a memorial card verse be?A front-of-card verse is usually one line of five to ten words. An inside verse can be one to three lines. The verse should reward rereading, not fill the card.
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://ca.pinterest.com/loveliveson0738/funeral-quotes-goodbye/
- 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
- https://12oaks.net/celebration-of-life-quotes/
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Characters per linear inch by letter size
| Letter size | Chars/inch | Line height |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 12 | 0.75" |
| 3/4" | 8 | 1.125" |
| 1" | 6 | 1.5" |
| 1.5" | 4 | 2.25" |
| 2" | 3 | 3" |
Questions, answered
What is the most popular saying for a memorial card?
How many sayings should a memorial card have?
Can I include a prayer on a memorial card?
What is the difference between a memorial card and a funeral card?
How long should a memorial card verse be?
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