50 Timeless Quotes to Include in Your Obituary or Eulogy

When writing an obituary or eulogy, capturing the essence of a loved one’s life is paramount. Including poignant quotes can add depth and resonance, reflecting the values and spirit of the departed. Here are some great quotes to consider, each bringing a unique perspective on life, love, and legacy.

1. "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." - Thomas Campbell

Thomas Campbell’s words remind us that those we cherish never truly leave us. Their memory lives on in the hearts of those who loved them. This quote is a beautiful way to express the enduring impact of a loved one’s life.

2. "What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." - Helen Keller

Helen Keller’s profound insight speaks to the lasting influence of love and joy. This quote acknowledges that the connections and experiences we treasure remain with us, shaping who we are.

3. "The song is ended, but the melody lingers on." - Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin’s lyric offers a poetic way to convey the lasting impression someone leaves behind. It suggests that while their physical presence is gone, their essence continues to resonate.

4. "Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Longfellow’s words encourage us to live meaningfully and leave a positive legacy. This quote is fitting for someone whose life was marked by significant contributions and inspiration.

5. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

This quote from Dr. Seuss offers a comforting perspective, urging us to focus on the joy and memories shared rather than the sorrow of loss. It’s a hopeful reminder to cherish the moments we had.

6. "The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living." - Marcus Tullius Cicero

Cicero’s reflection on memory underscores the importance of remembering and honoring those who have passed. It speaks to the role of memory in keeping loved ones alive in our hearts.

7. "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh)

A.A. Milne’s tender words from Winnie the Pooh capture the bittersweet nature of loss. They express gratitude for the meaningful relationships that make farewells so poignant.

8. "Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that death cannot touch." - Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child)

Jack Thorne’s quote from the Harry Potter series reminds us of the enduring presence of loved ones in our lives. It speaks to the lasting influence of their love and memory.

9. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal." - Irish Proverb

This Irish proverb beautifully encapsulates the dual nature of loss and love. It acknowledges the pain of parting while celebrating the indelible mark of love.

10. "For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one." - Kahlil Gibran

Kahlil Gibran’s philosophical perspective highlights the interconnectedness of life and death. This quote offers a serene and accepting view of the cycle of existence.

11. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s words encourage us to value the extraordinary moments in life. This quote is perfect for honoring someone who lived fully and embraced life’s wonders.

12. "Goodbyes are not forever, are not the end; it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again." - Unknown

This comforting sentiment speaks to the hope of reunion and the enduring connection we feel with those we have lost. It’s a gentle reminder that goodbyes are not final.

13. "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller

Another quote from Helen Keller, this one emphasizes the intangible and heartfelt aspects of life. It’s a touching way to honor someone whose presence was deeply felt.

14. "Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure." - Unknown

This quote encapsulates the profound impact of a loved one’s life and the deep sense of loss felt in their absence. It’s a heartfelt tribute to their enduring legacy.

15. "Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another." - Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway’s reflection on life and death underscores the importance of individuality and the unique mark each person leaves. It’s a fitting tribute to a life well-lived.

16. "Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories." - Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan’s words honor the lasting impact of a beautiful soul. This quote is a lovely way to acknowledge the positive influence and cherished memories left behind.

17. "A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again." - Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s tribute to great souls highlights their enduring influence and the way they continue to unite us. It’s a powerful acknowledgment of a life that touched many.

18. "There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart." - Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi’s words offer a comforting reminder that loved ones remain with us in spirit. This quote is a heartfelt way to express ongoing connection.

19. "And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance." - Kahlil Gibran

Kahlil Gibran’s poetic imagery offers a serene view of death as a continuation of life’s journey. It’s a beautiful way to express acceptance and peace.

20. "The greatest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude." - Thornton Wilder

Thornton Wilder’s quote encourages us to focus on gratitude for the time shared with loved ones. It’s a meaningful way to honor their memory and celebrate their life.

21. "Only a moment you stayed, but what an imprint your footprints have left on our hearts." - Dorothy Ferguson

Dorothy Ferguson’s words beautifully capture the lasting impact even a brief presence can have on our lives. This quote is perfect for someone who made a significant impression in a short time.

22. "They whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now wherever we are." - St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom’s quote offers a comforting reminder that our loved ones remain with us in spirit, always present in our hearts and memories.

23. "Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." - Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore’s poetic words provide a serene view of death as a transition to a new beginning, rather than an end.

24. "As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well used brings happy death." - Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci’s quote emphasizes the fulfillment that comes from a life well-lived. It’s a fitting tribute to someone who lived fully and meaningfully.

25. "When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." - Unknown

This quote beautifully encapsulates the idea that memories of loved ones become cherished treasures that we hold dear.

26. "There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains." - Unknown

This quote honors those whose presence and influence continue to shine brightly even after they have passed.

27. "To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." - David Viscott

David Viscott’s quote celebrates the warmth and joy that comes from experiencing love. It’s a touching way to honor a loved one’s impact on your life.

28. "Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy." - Inuit Proverb

This beautiful Inuit proverb offers a comforting and hopeful view of the afterlife, suggesting that our loved ones are watching over us.

29. "While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil." - John Taylor

John Taylor’s words provide comfort by suggesting that our loved ones are being welcomed by others in the afterlife, creating a sense of reunion and continuity.

30. "In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln’s quote reminds us that the quality and richness of our experiences matter more than the length of our lives. It’s a fitting tribute to someone who lived vibrantly.

31. "Death ends a life, not a relationship." - Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom’s poignant words emphasize that the bonds we share with our loved ones continue even after they are gone.

32. "Every life is noted and is cherished, and nothing loved is ever lost or perished." - Madeleine L’Engle

Madeleine L’Engle’s quote reassures us that every life has value and that the love we feel never truly fades away.

33. "The pain passes, but the beauty remains." - Pierre Auguste Renoir

Pierre Auguste Renoir’s quote offers a hopeful perspective, suggesting that while grief may diminish over time, the beauty of a loved one’s life endures.

34. "Those we have held in our arms for a short while we hold in our hearts forever." - Unknown

This quote speaks to the lasting impact of those we’ve loved, even if they were with us for only a short time.

35. "The remembrance of the good done those we have loved is the only consolation when we have lost them." - Demoustier

Demoustier’s words highlight the comfort that comes from remembering the positive impact our loved ones had on our lives.

36. "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." - Thomas Campbell

Thomas Campbell’s quote reaffirms the idea that our loved ones continue to live on in our hearts and memories.

37. "What is lovely never dies, but passes into other loveliness." - Thomas Bailey Aldrich

Thomas Bailey Aldrich’s poetic words suggest that the beauty of a loved one’s life transcends death, continuing in other forms.

38. "The loss is immeasurable, but so is the love left behind." - Unknown

This quote acknowledges the profound grief of loss while also celebrating the enduring love that remains.

39. "The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone." - Harriet Beecher Stowe

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s words remind us of the importance of expressing our love and gratitude to those around us while we still can.

40. "To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." - J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)

J.K. Rowling’s quote from Harry Potter offers a hopeful and adventurous view of death, suggesting that it is a continuation of life’s journey.

41. "Grief is the price we pay for love." - Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II’s poignant words encapsulate the idea that the depth of our grief reflects the depth of our love for those we have lost.

42. "When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." - Kahlil Gibran

Kahlil Gibran’s quote offers a comforting perspective on grief, suggesting that our sorrow is intertwined with the joy and love we experienced.

43. "It is not length of life, but depth of life." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words emphasize the importance of living deeply and meaningfully, rather than focusing solely on the length of our lives.

44. "In the gardens of memory, in the palace of dreams... that is where you and I shall meet." - Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll’s poetic words from Alice in Wonderland evoke a sense of reunion and continuity in the realms of memory and dreams.

45. "The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love." - William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth’s quote celebrates the quiet, everyday acts of kindness that define a good life and leave a lasting impact.

46. "Where there is deep grief, there was great love." - Unknown

This simple yet profound quote acknowledges that intense grief is a testament to the depth of the love we felt for those we have lost.

47. "They may leave the earth, but they never leave our hearts." - Unknown

This quote reassures us that our loved ones remain with us in spirit, continuing to influence our lives and memories.

48. "When words are most empty, tears are most apt." - Max Lucado

Max Lucado’s quote speaks to the profound and often indescribable nature of grief, suggesting that tears can express what words cannot.

49. "Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day... unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear." - Unknown

This comforting quote reminds us of the enduring presence of our loved ones, even if we can no longer see or hear them. Check out many different customizable urns, signs, shadow boxes, and picture frames that display this prominent quote here. For example, check out this cute butterfly cross with the saying below. 

50. "Life has to end. Love doesn't." - Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom’s succinct and powerful words encapsulate the idea that while life may end, the love we shared continues to endure.

Conclusion

Incorporating quotes into an obituary or eulogy adds a personal and reflective touch, helping to capture the essence of a loved one’s life and the impact they had on those around them. These quotes offer a range of perspectives on life, love, and loss, providing comfort and insight for those who are mourning. Whether you choose to highlight the enduring nature of love, the importance of memories, or the philosophical views on life and death, each quote serves as a meaningful tribute to a cherished life.