What to Say on a Death Anniversary – Quotes and Poems

A death anniversary, also known as a remembrance day, marks the anniversary of a loved one’s death. It’s a time to reflect on the memories that you both shared and to reminisce on their life. Death anniversaries can, of course, be difficult and upsetting, no matter how many years it has been. 

Quotes and poems can be a touching way to honour your family member or friend, beyond a personalised memorial. We’ve put together a selection of popular death anniversary quotes and poems to commemorate a loved one on the anniversary of their passing.

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How to acknowledge a death anniversary

There’s no right or wrong way to acknowledge a death anniversary. Some people prefer to let the day pass by while others choose to mark the day, either by visiting their loved one’s grave, holding a small memorial gathering, or taking part in activities that the person who passed once enjoyed. Getting together with close family and friends on a death anniversary allows everyone to remember their loved one, with many choosing to read a meaningful poem, share a quote that resonates with them or give a short speech. Finding the right words to say or death anniversary message to share can be difficult, especially during such an emotional time, which is why many people choose to use the curated words of famous poems or quotes to articulate their feelings.

Why is acknowledging a death anniversary important?

If you’ve experienced a bereavement, acknowledging the anniversary of your loved one’s passing can help you to continue to heal. You may choose to keep their memory alive by connecting with other people who knew them, either in an informal setting or as part of a memorial gathering. By doing this, you’ll have the opportunity to share memories and stories, read poems or make a short speech about the deceased on the anniversary of their death, showing the impact that they continue to have in your life. 

If you know someone who is approaching the anniversary of a loved one’s death,  it is important to acknowledge the anniversary. Even though it’s scary to do, it shows how much you care for your family member or friend. Not only will it show that you’re there for them on a difficult day, but you’ll also give them the chance to open up and talk about how they’re feeling. Death anniversaries can conjure up a complicated mix of emotions, with not everyone approaching them in the same way. Recognising and acknowledging their feelings on the anniversary of a loved one’s death will give them a chance to process their emotions, helping them to move through the day in a way that’s right for them. 

Poems for a death anniversary

There are many touching poems that could be read out on a death anniversary, or you might choose to write your own! You could choose a comforting poem, one that captures the feelings of grief or even one with a touch of humour – whatever feels right to you. 

Below are a number of popular death anniversary poems:

• I Felt An Angel – Author Unknown
• His Journey’s Just Begun – Ellen Brenneman
• Loving Memories (Your Gentle Face) – Author Unknown
• On the Death of the Beloved – John O’Donohue
• Condolence – Dorothy Parker
• Death is nothing at all – Henry Scott Holland
• She is Gone (He is gone) – David Harkins

Death anniversary quotes for a family member 

Death anniversary quotes are a popular way to honour the life of a loved one. These quotes can be used to help find the words to express the way you feel and to reflect on how special your loved one was. There are so many different heartfelt quotes to choose from, each with unique themes.

Take the time to read through a number of different examples to see which ones you feel a connection to. 

Death anniversary quotes for a father

Below are a number of popular death anniversary quotes to honour a father. Whether they provide a sense of comfort or help you to reminisce on the positive times, these quotes could be read out or written down.

• My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever give another person. He believed in me.” – Jim Valvano
• “No matter where I am, your spirit will be beside me. For I know that no matter what, you will always be with me.” – Tram-Tiara T. Von Reichenbach
• “A father’s love is forever imprinted on his child’s heart.” – Jennifer Williamson
• The loss of my father will always sting. But now, everything that I do is in honour of him and celebrates his life.” – Adrienne C. Moore
• “You will always be in my heart… because in there you’re still alive.” – Jamie Cirello
• “Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever.” – Unknown
• “Although our lives’ journeys have bid us to be apart, I am with you, you are with me, always in our hearts.” – Carolyn Ferreira
• “He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it.” –  Clarence Budington Kelland

Death anniversary quotes for a mother

Mothers are such special figures in our lives, which makes finding the words to commemorate them so difficult. Whether she was caring, funny, kind or knowledgeable, quotes are a touching way to honour your mother.

Below are a number of popular death anniversary quotes for a special mother.

• “To my mother in heaven, thank you for always loving me and guiding me. Even though you are no longer here with me I can still feel your love guiding me.” 
• “Love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark. To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever.” –J.K. Rowling
• “Mothers hold their children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.” – Unknown
• “You are gone, but thank you for all these soft, sweet things you left behind. In my home, in my head, and in my heart.” – Nikita Gill
• “My mother is a never-ending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may, sometimes, forget the words, but I always remember the tune.” – Graycie Harmon
• “There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.” – Mahatma Gandhi
• “A true mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.” – Unknown
• “What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us.” – Helen Keller

Death anniversary quotes for a brother

There’s no denying that siblings have a particularly special bond. Losing a brother can be extremely difficult and the anniversary of his passing can be particularly emotional. If you’d like to use words to honour your brother and express your emotions, below are some popular quotes to choose from:

• “When you lose a brother, you lose a part of yourself. But the memories you shared will live on forever.”  —  Unknown
• The loss of a brother is a wound that never fully heals, but love and memories help us find strength in the pain.”  —  Unknown
• “Brothers may be separated by distance and time, but their bond remains unbreakable.”  —  Unknown
• “Your memory feels like home to me. So whenever my mind wanders, it always finds its way back to you.” – Unknown
• “Your presence is still strong in my heart, even though you are no longer physically present. Even when I’m grieving, your love keeps me going.” – Unknown
• “The loss of a brother is the loss of someone who shared your dreams and childhood memories.” – Unknown
• “A brother is a friend who knows all about you and loves you just the same.” – Elbert Hubbard
• “Having a brother is like having a best friend who annoys you, irritates you, and loves you endlessly. They might not always get along, but they can never truly be apart.” – Unknown

Death anniversary quotes for a sister

If you’d like to commemorate your sister through words, why not choose a special quote to read out or write down? Below we’ve listed a number of popular and famous quotes about losing a cherished sister.

• “Losing a sister is like losing a treasure trove of shared memories, a companion in mischief, and a bond that time cannot erase.” – Unknown
• “Memories fade over time, but my sister isn’t a memory. She’s a part of me.” – Michele Meleen.
• “Losing a sister is like losing your keys ― you always find them in unexpected places if you look hard enough.” – Michele Meleen.
• “Even death can’t weaken the bond we share, sister. I’ll always carry your memories in my heart.” – Unknown
• “Sisters are the ones who lift you up when the world tries to bring you down. They’re your partners in crime, your confidantes, your forever allies.” – Unknown
• “A sister is a treasure chest full of memories, laughter, and secrets. She’s someone who knows you better than you know yourself.” – Unknown
• The years I had with my sister will always be more memorable than the years she’s been gone.” – Michele Meleen
• “Death may have taken you from us, but it can never take away the love and bond we shared. I miss you deeply.”  – Unknown

Death anniversary quotes for a friend

The bonds we have with our friends can be just as strong as those we have with our family. For this reason, losing a friend can be incredibly painful, especially when the anniversary of their passing comes back around. Quotes can be a thoughtful way to reminisce on the good times spent with your friend, along with providing an outlet to voice your feelings.

Below we’ve shared some popular quotes to choose from:

• “The comfort of having a friend may be taken away, but not that of having had one” – Seneca
• “You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can’t forget. Those are your friends.” – Mark Twain
• “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” – Flavia Weedn
• “We all lose friends. We lose them in death, to distance, and over time. But even though they may be lost, hope is not. The key is to keep them in your heart, and when the time is right, you can pick up the friendship right where you left off.” – Unknown
• “Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.” – Richard Bach
• “When you part from your friend, you grieve not; for that which you love most in them may be clearer in their absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.” – Kahlil Gibran
• “Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation.” – Rumi

Knowing what to say on the anniversary of losing a loved one is never easy, and we hope the above examples will provide you with some inspiration. Remember, whatever you choose to say, the most important factor is that it comes from your heart.

For more ideas, take a look at our blog post on short memorial quotes for loved ones.