Timeless Memorial Plaque Phrases for Remembrance

Losing someone we love is never easy, and we often seek ways to honor their memory. One meaningful way to do this is by creating a memorial plaque with an inscription that captures their essence and significance.

Deciding on an idea for a memorial plaque can feel overwhelming. The message you choose will serve as a lasting tribute, whether displayed in a public space or a private corner of reflection.

When deciding on the message, reach out to family, friends, or colleagues to gather their input and ensure that everyone feels comfortable with the chosen words and design.

If you’re struggling to find the right words, know that you’re not alone. This article offers guidance and ideas for memorial plaques. Together, we’ll explore the key elements to include.

What should a memorial plaque say?

When creating a memorial plaque, consider its purpose. Are you honoring someone’s life and achievements? Remembering a family member or close friend? Showcasing an individual’s contributions? The answers to these questions will shape the content of your inscription.

Most memorial plaques include: 

• An opening phrase, such as “In Loving Memory of“ or “Dedicated to“.
• Full names, including any nicknames (often placed in quotation marks, e.g., William “Bill” Brown).
• Dates of birth and death, which can be presented in different formats depending on preference, tone, and available space:

• • Numeric e.g., 12.05.25 – 27.10.04, ideal when space is limited.
  • Formal, with letters and numbers e.g., 12th May 1925 – 27th October 2004.
  • Years only e.g., 1925 – 2004.
  • Date of death only e.g., 27th October 2004.
  • Date of death and age e.g., 27th October 2004, aged 79 years.
  • Date of death with a message e.g., “Joined the angels on 27th October 2020”.
• Personal message or dedication, which could be a quote, short poem, or a sentence.
• A closing statement, such as “Forever in Our Hearts“ or “Always Remembered“.

Ideas for personalized memorial plaque phrases

The essence of a memorial plaque lies in its personal message or dedication. Consider the plaque’s size as you craft your message, ensuring it fits comfortably. If necessary, consult a professional, like Impact Signs, for guidance on the appropriate number of words.

When it comes to the inscription, you can write a unique message or use well-known quotes. Sometimes, this task can feel daunting, but using AI tools like ChatGPT can help. By providing a prompt and word count, AI will give you a personalized draft. This is particularly beneficial for corporate memorials or commemorations.

Memorial phrases for a professional setting

While lots of memorial plaques are created to honor family members and close friends, many are also designed to commemorate individuals in their professional capacities, such as founders, professors, donors, or presidents. In these cases, the words should reflect the person’s contributions and achievements within their field of work. 

Here are some examples of suitable phrases:

• “In recognition of her outstanding efforts.”

• “A teacher whose love of learning inspired generations.”

• “For his heroic commitment and dedicated service to his country.”

• “In grateful recognition of her tireless efforts in the community.”

• “To honor his 25 years of service as Chairman of the Board.”

• “To honor her outstanding achievements, continuous contributions, relentless effort, and steadfast devotion.”

When creating a memorial plaque for a professional, it’s important to capture their impact on colleagues, students, or the organization they served. By focusing on their accomplishments and values, the plaque becomes a lasting tribute to their legacy.

Ideas from classic memorial plaque messages

Choosing a message for the memorial plaque of a loved one can be difficult due to it being such an emotional time. Opting for a classic phrase can help narrow down the options:

• “Not a day goes by when you are not loved and missed.”

• “Death is only a shadow across the path to heaven.”

• “What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us.”

• “Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.”

• “Loving and devoted husband and father.”

• “Those who touch our lives stay in our hearts forever.”

• “Forever in our hearts.”

• “Gone but never forgotten.”

• “Cherished memories live on.”

• “Your legacy lives through us.”

• “In loving honor of a life well-lived.”

• “Your love continues to guide us every day.”

• “In the garden of memory, we meet again.”

Comforting quotes for lasting memories

In times of loss, finding comfort in the words of others can offer a sense of peace. Here are some quotes that might help:

• “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched; they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller.
• “There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
• “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – A. A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh).
• “Those we have held in our arms for a little while, we will hold in our hearts forever.” – Khalil Gibran.
• “We do not remember days, we remember moments.” – Cesare Pavese. 
• “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” – Irving Berlin.

Embracing faith with biblical epitaphs

Adding biblical verses into a memorial plaque can offer a sense of comfort and spiritual connection. Some meaningful lines from the Bible are:

• “Amen I say to you. Today you will be in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

• “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:15)

• “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

• “Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

Choosing the perfect opening and closing lines for your memorial plaque

The opening and closing lines of a memorial plaque are important. Here are some suggestions:

Opening lines

• “In Loving Memory of”
• “In Remembrance of” 
• “In Honor of”
• “Dedicated to the Memory of”
• “In Fondest Memory of”

Closing lines

• “Gone but not Forgotten”
• “Forever in our Hearts”
• “Fly high, little one.” 
• “Our Beloved Mother/Father”
• “In God’s Care”
• “Rest in Peace”

Choosing the perfect opening and closing lines for a memorial plaque is a personal decision and should fit the person being honored.

Decorative elements and photos for memorial plaques

Many people will want to add a decorative touch or photo to the plaque. Even a simple decoration can add a more personal touch. For example, if the person liked nature having a leaf or flower etched into the plaque is a lovely tribute to that.

Adding a photograph to a memorial plaque can change a simple tribute into a more personal tribute. To tailor this personal touch, several photorealistic options are available.

Your choice between a portrait or a landscape image can also tell a story. A formal portrait can be more appropriate for a prominent public figure, while a scenic backdrop might be used to illustrate the person’s connection to a special place.

Some photo options include:

• Bas relief portraits
• Photo relief portraits
• Etched photos
• UV-printed full-color photos

Engraving your memories: Our custom memorial plaque service

As you design your memorial plaque, our team at Impact Signs is here to guide you every step of the way. 

Our nationwide shipping allows you to commemorate your loved one from anywhere. Our dedicated team will work closely with you, offering support and understanding.

Please note that while we assist with the design of the memorial plaque, we do not help write the message. The inscription should come from your heart and reflect your bond and memories.

We ensure every detail of your memorial plaque is perfect. Before casting, we provide proofs for your approval, allowing you to review and verify the spelling and design.

Reach out to Impact Signs to discover more about our custom memorial plaque service.