Advice on choosing an epitaph for a Churchyard burial ground.

1) “Less is more” - epitaphs are usually short and concise.  Even if you use the whole reverse
of a headstone, you will be limited to a few lines. Epitaphs are a chance to sum up, or to
record something about a person in just a few words and to express real emotion on behalf
of the bereaved.
2)
2)  Epitaphs often convey a strong feeling. However, the best epitaphs are timeless and must not be
overtly sentimental. For this reason, waiting for at least a year before choosing will allow emotions
time to settle and a choice can be made based on real reflections.

There is a clear difference between expressing a sentiment in a newspaper notice/obituary and on a

memorial stone. A Newspaper announcement is immediate and short-lived. The most important
thing to bear in mind is that the memorial stone inscription may well be there for a hundred or more
years. Do not be hurried into choosing an epitaph straight away.

3) The epitaph must not be addressed to the deceased, and should not be too personal to the
relatives. It may however be addressed to a passerby. Whatever the sentiment, the epitaph must
speak to all who read the stone.

Examples;
“Love you and miss you” is not suitable. It seeks to address the deceased. “Much love and much
missed” is far better. When the family which voices the first sentiment, have themselves passed-on,
the sentiment will cease to have meaning. The acceptable alternate means they were loved and
missed, and that is valid for all time.

“Always in our hearts” – again when the family members who erected the stone are no longer alive,
the “our” has no meaning. “Adored/Loved/Remembered by family and friends” is valid for all time.

Purpose of a headstone epitaph 

The headstone epitaph often includes a person’s name and dates together with a headstone
inscription.  This may take the form of a piece of prose or a reference from the Bible.  The aim is
often to praise the humble virtues of the person who has died or to remind us of the bond between
the living and the dead.  It may be a symbol or reminder of our mortality or indeed immortality.
This is a very personal choice, one that should not be influenced by others, or simply pulled of a list
because it sounds nice.

If a poet or author is quoted the quotation must be of merit and fit in within a Christian framework.
A line or a verse from a hymn may provide inspiration.

Below is a list of headstone inscriptions and memorial quotes, which are within most Church
regulations.

In many cases the simplest headstone epitaphs or inscriptions can be the most profound.

Beloved.

Dearly beloved.

Much loved and much missed.

Fondly remembered.

Dearly loved.
Loved by family and friends.

Adored by family and friends.

Remembered by family and friends.

Remembered with love.

Peace perfect peace.

Generous of heart, constant of faith.

Always loving, always loved.

Asleep in Jesus.

“God be with you till we meet again.”

Rest in Peace.

Adored.

Loved and remembered.

In God’s care.

In God’s keeping.

An inspiration to all.

Once met, never forgotten.

A long life well lived.

Remembered with love.

“Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

“The day thou gavest Lord has ended.”

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Time passes, love remains.

Modest and gentle of heart.

“I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are.”

“Death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.”

“I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

In His will is our peace.