Wording Guides
Memorial Card Wording
What actually goes on a memorial card, in what order, and guides for the situation your family is in.
The basics
Front, inside and back
Every memorial card follows roughly the same layout — it's the wording within it that changes.
The front
A photograph, the person's full name as the family wants it remembered, and their dates — either as 'died' and a date, or 'In loving memory of' above the name.
The inside
A verse or prayer, the dates given in full, and usually a line naming who they are sadly missed by — a spouse, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends.
The back
Often left blank, or used for a small closing line, a second short verse, or an acknowledgement of thanks if the card is doubling as a thank-you.
There is no fixed rule for the order things appear — a photograph and name always lead, and a verse usually follows the dates — but families are free to leave things out, shorten the family line, or ask us to arrange it differently. Our verse collection has hundreds of traditional and non-religious verses free to copy for the inside panel.
Choose your situation
Wording guides
Each guide has worked examples, common pitfalls and answers to the questions families ask most.
For a Mother
There is no set form of words for a mother's card, but most families follow the same shape: her name and photo…
Read the guide →For a Father
A card for a father usually follows the same structure as any memorial card — photograph and name on the front…
Read the guide →For a Child
There is no experience harder than this, and no correct set of words. Families often want something simple and…
Read the guide →For a Husband or Wife
A card for a husband or wife often carries the most personal wording of all, and the surviving spouse is usual…
Read the guide →For a Grandparent
A card for a grandparent is often written by adult children but reflects the whole extended family, so wording…
Read the guide →For a Young Person
A card for a teenager or young adult often sits between two traditions — some families want a plain, tradition…
Read the guide →After a Sudden Death
When a death is sudden, there is usually far less time to think about wording than a family would like, and th…
Read the guide →Non-Religious Wording
A memorial card does not have to carry any religious wording at all. Many families choose a card with a photog…
Read the guide →For a Month's Mind
A Month's Mind Mass is offered roughly a month after a death, and in most Irish parishes it is announced rathe…
Read the guide →For a First Anniversary
A first anniversary card almost always opens with the years since — 'First anniversary' or 'In loving memory o…
Read the guide →
Not sure where to start?
Choose the guide closest to your situation above, or browse our full memorial verse collection by theme. If you would rather talk it through, call us and our design team will help you put the wording together.
Need Help With the Wording?
Our design team will guide you through photographs, wording and layout. Call us or send an email and we will look after the rest — anywhere in Ireland.
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