The message box is often where people stop. You know exactly who you’re lighting the candle for, but the words won’t come. Everything feels too small, or not quite right.
A memorial message doesn’t need to sum up a whole life. It just needs to say something true. A few honest words, a phrase they always used or a simple “love you always” is enough.
Tips for writing your message
- Write what you’d say to them if you could. Many people find it easiest to talk to the person directly, as if they could read it.
- Use their words. A saying they had, a nickname, the way they signed off a text. These often mean more than anything polished.
- Small and specific beats big and general. “Still can’t find the remote without you” can say more than a longer tribute.
- It’s fine to be funny. If they made everyone laugh, a light-hearted message can be the most fitting one.
- Keep it short. Messages on The Bridge of Lights can be up to 70 characters, which is about one sentence. Reading it out loud helps you spot what to trim.
- Remember it’s public. Anyone can read candle messages, including search engines. Please don’t include contact details or the names of living people, so sign off as “your loving daughter” or “all your grandchildren” rather than using names.
- If you’re stuck, keep it simple. “Love you always” or “Forever missed” is enough.
Simple messages for anyone
- Forever loved, forever missed.
- Always in our hearts.
- Gone from sight, never from our hearts.
- Loved beyond words. Missed beyond measure.
- Still here in everything we do.
- Thank you for everything.
- Not a day goes by.
For a mum
- Thank you for every cuppa, every hug and every bit of advice, Mum.
- Your kitchen still smells like Sunday dinner. Love you, Mum.
- Still reaching for the phone to ring you. Love you always, Mum.
- The best of me came from you. Rest easy, Mum.
- Mum, you made everywhere feel like home.
For a dad
- Still hear you telling me to check the tyres. Miss you, Dad.
- Dad, you taught me everything that mattered. Thank you.
- Your terrible jokes live on. Love you, Dad.
- Our rock, our hero, our dad. Forever missed.
- Your laugh still fills every room. Love you always, Dad.
For a grandparent
- The best nan in the world. We miss your hugs every day.
- Grandad, thank you for the stories, the sweets and the time.
- Nan, the biscuit tin is still full. Love you always.
- Forever our favourite person to visit. Love you, Grandma.
- Your garden still grows, Grandad. So does our love for you.
For a husband, wife or partner
- Thank you for choosing me. I’d choose you again every time.
- My best friend, my whole heart. Love you always.
- 32 years wasn’t long enough. I’ll love you for ever.
- I still save you the last clue in the crossword. x
For a brother or sister
- Little brother, big heart. Miss you every single day.
- My sister, my first friend, my forever friend.
- Nobody else got my jokes like you did, sis.
- The family will never be the same without you, bro.
For a friend
- Best friend, partner in crime. The laughs aren’t the same.
- Thank you for every late-night chat and every laugh, mate.
- Friends for 40 years, and I’d do every one of them again.
- Raising a glass to you tonight. Miss you, pal.
For a son or daughter
- Our beautiful boy. Loved every day, missed every moment.
- Our girl, our sunshine. We carry you with us always.
- You were, and always will be, our greatest joy.
For a baby
- Our little one. Held for a moment, loved for a lifetime.
- Forever our baby. Always in our hearts.
- Too small for this world, too loved to ever forget.
- So small, so loved, so missed.
Light-hearted messages
- Finally got the last word, didn’t you?
- Hope the bar’s open wherever you are. Cheers!
- Still can’t find the remote without you.
- You’d hate all this fuss. Tough. Love you.
For a birthday or anniversary
- Happy birthday, Mum. Still celebrating you.
- Ten years today, and we’ve missed you through every one.
- First Christmas without you. Your seat is still saved.
- Thinking of you on your birthday, as we do every day.
Messages of faith
- Safe in God’s arms. Until we meet again.
- Rest in peace. Until we meet again.
- May your memory be a blessing.
- Forever in God’s care. Love you always.
Make it yours
Feel free to use any of these as they are, or change a word or two so they sound more like you and them. The best message is usually the one that makes you think, “yes, that’s them”.
When you’re ready, you can light a candle on The Bridge of Lights for £1, with their name, their years and your message. It stays on the bridge permanently, and you can come back to it whenever you need to.
