How to Choose a Headstone Inscription
Finding the right words can be the most difficult part of choosing a memorial.
It is your personal tribute which tells future generations about the person you are lovingly commemorating.
This page is intended only as a starting point, please remember we are always on hand with expert advice to help you.
It is worth taking time over your choices – If possible, visit the cemetery or churchyard and look at some existing inscriptions: it might help to clarify your likes and dislikes.
Although it is helpful to have a good initial idea of the wording you would like, we will invite you to check the inscription laid out on paper before cutting, so you can change your mind about the wording or the layout if you wish.
If you need help or have any questions please use our Contact Form
A headstone inscription usually consists of a number of elements.
The headline
The name
The relationship
Dates
Epitaph or verse
There is no firm rule to which order you want these to appear in. We understand that choosing the right Headstone inscription for your loved one is a difficult task. We have included some example inscriptions to help you choose.
Headstone Example Inscription 1
TREASURED MEMORIES OF (Headline)
MY DEAR HUSBAND (Relationship)
NORMAN SMITH (Full Name)
A MUCH LOVED FATHER AND GRANDAD (Relationship)
CALLED TO REST 23RD NOV. 1993 (Dates)
AGED 79 YEARS (Dates)
GONE FROM OUR HOME (Epitaph)
BUT NOT FROM OUR HEARTS (Epitaph)
Headstone Example Inscription 2
Our Lady of Lourdes Pray for the Soul of (Prayers)
MARY SMITH (Full Name)
A BELOVED WIFE AND GRANDMOTHER (Relationship)
WHO FELL ASLEEP 12TH JUNE 2011 AGED 83 YEARS (Dates)
A SMILE FOR ALL A HEART OF GOLD (VERSES)
THE VERY BEST THIS WORLD COULD HOLD (VERSES)
NEVER SELFISH ALWAYS KIND (VERSES)
THIS IS THE MEMORY YOU LEFT BEHIND (VERSES)
- Headstone Example Headlines
- Headstone Example Text Relationships
- Headstone Example Text Dates
- Headstone Example Text Epitaphs
- Headstone Example Text Verses
- Headstone Example Text Prayers
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
—
TREASURED MEMORIES OF
—
PRECIOUS MEMORIES OF
—
CHERISHED MEMORIES OF
—
WITH LOVE WE REMEMBER
—
IN MEMORY OF
—
IN EVER LOVING MEMORY OF
—
IN EVERLASTING MEMORY OF
—
IN REMEMBRANCE OF
—
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
—
FOND MEMORIES OF
—
AT REST
—
REMEMBERING
—
TO THE MEMORY OF
—
LOVING MEMORIES OF
—
IN GOD’S KEEPING
—
FONDEST MEMORIES OF
—
FONDEST MEMORIES OF
—
IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF
—
REMEMBERED WITH LOVE
—
PRECIOUS ARE THE MEMORIES OF
—
A TRIBUTE OF LOVE TO
—
IN GOD’S CARE
—
REMEMBERED ALWAYS
———
A BELOVED HUSBAND, DAD AND GRANDAD
—
A LOVING WIFE, MUM AND GRANDMA
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A DEVOTED AND DEARLY LOVED HUSBAND, FATHER AND GRANDFATHER
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MY DEAR HUSBAND AND A MUCH LOVED FATHER
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THE DEARLY LOVED WIFE OF ………..
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OUR DEVOTED SON
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OUR DARLING DAUGHTER
—
OUR DEAR PARENTS
—
A DEARLY LOVED DAUGHTER AND SISTER
—
THE DARLING DAUGHTER OF MARY AND JOHN
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A LOVING AND DEVOTED WIFE, MUM AND NANA
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A MUCH LOVED AND SADLY MISSED HUSBAND,
DAD, GRANDAD AND GREAT-GRANDAD
—
MY DEAREST WIFE AND A DEVOTED MOTHER
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A DEVOTED HUSBAND AND FATHER LOVED BY ALL HE KNEW
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A DEAR MOTHER WITH A HEART OF GOLD
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A LOVING FATHER, MOST SINCERE
———
WHO DIED 25th NOVEMBER 1993, AGED 79 YEARS
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DIED 23rd NOVEMBER 1993, AGED 79 YEARS
—
DIED 23rd NOV. 1993, AGED 79 YEARS
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WHO PASSED AWAY 23rd NOV. 1993 AGED 79 YEARS
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DIED 23rd NOV. 1993, AGED 79
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WHO FELL ASLEEP 23rd NOVEMBER 1993 IN HER 80th YEAR
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BORN 22nd MARCH 1914, DIED 23rd NOV. 1993
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CALLED TO REST 23rd NOV. 1993, AGED 79
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DIED TRAGICALLY 23.11.1993, AGED 79 YEARS
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WHO ENTERED INTO REST 23.12.1993 IN HER 80th YEAR
—
DEPARTED THIS LIFE 23rd NOVEMBER 1993, AGED 79 YEARS
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AT REST 23.12.1993, AGED 79 YEARS
—
DIED 23.11.1993, AGED 79
—
22.3.1912 – 23.11.1993
—
1912 – 1993
———
TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WE LOVE IS NOT TO DIE
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LOVING YOU ALWAYS FORGETTING YOU NEVER
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GONE FROM OUR HOME BUT NOT FROM OUR HEARTS
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IN GOD’S CARE
—
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
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ONLY GOOD NIGHT BELOVED NOT FAREWELL
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LOVES LAST GIFT REMEMBRANCE
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GRANT HIM THY ETERNAL REST
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REMEMBERED ALWAYS
—
REST IN PEACE
—
LOVE LIKE OURS CAN NEVER DIE
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GREATLY LOVED AND SADLY MISSED
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THOSE WE LOVE DON’T GO AWAY THEY WALK BESIDE US EVERY DAY
—
GOD’S FINGER TOUCHED HIM AND HE SLEPT
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WHERE MEMORIES ARE FAITHFUL NO DISTANCE CAN DIVIDE
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IN HEAVENLY LOVE ABIDING
—
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
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PEACE PERFECT PEACE
—
HIS LIFE A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY HIS ABSENCE A SILENT GRIEF
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FATHER IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING
LEAVE WE NOW OUR LOVED ONES SLEEPING
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THY WILL BE DONE
—
TILL WE MEET AGAIN
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REQUIESCANT IN PACE
—
ALWAYS IN OUR THOUGHTS
—
SWEET ARE THE MEMORIES THAT NEVER FADE
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FOREVER WITH THE LORD
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HIS LIFE A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY HIS ABSENCE A SILENT GRIEF
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DEEP IN OUR HEARTS YOU WILL ALWAYS STAY
NEVER MORE THAN A THOUGHT AWAY
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DEATH IS ONLY A SHADOW ACROSS THE PATH TO HEAVEN
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HE WHO DWELLETH IN LOVE DWELLETH IN GOD
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GOD’S FINGER TOUCHED HER AND SHE SLEPT
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SWEET ARE THE MEMORIES THAT NEVER FADE
—
THE SAVIOUR HAS MY TREASURE
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RESTING WHERE NO SHADOWS FALL
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WITH LOVE ALWAYS AND FOREVER
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FOREVER IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
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LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDID THING
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WE HAVE LOST THEM IN LIFE LET US NOT FORGET THEM IN DEATH
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THIS WORLD WAS NEVER MEANT FOR ONE AS BEAUTIFUL AS YOU
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UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
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WILL BE DEARLY MISSED, GOD BLESS
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DEAR LORD LOVE HER AS WE ALL LOVED HER WHEN SHE WAS AT HOME
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A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY LEFT BEHIND SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE
—
FLIGHTS OF ANGELS SING THEE TO THY REST
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OUR LOVE IS NOW AND FOREVER
—
LORD IN YOUR MERCY HEAR OUR PRAYER
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A VERY SPECIAL PERSON TO KNOW HER WAS TO LOVE HER
—
YOUR MEMORY WILL ALWAYS BE TREASURED
BY YOUR HEARTBROKEN CHILDREN
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NOT GOOD-BYE, JUST GOOD NIGHT
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MAY THEY REST IN THE PEACE OF CHRIST
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REST AFTER WEARINESS, PEACE AFTER PAIN
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ANOTHER FLOWER FOR GOD’S GARDEN
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IN OUR HEARTS HE WILL LIVE FOREVER
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PRECIOUS MEMORIES LEFT BEHIND
—
SO DEARLY LOVED – SO SADLY MISSED
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FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
—
FOREVER IN OUR THOUGHTS
—
RE-UNITED
—
MAY PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM
—
WHAT WE KEEP IN MEMORY IS OURS UNCHANGED FOREVER
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NOT LOST TO MEMORY, NOT LOST TO LOVE
—
WE MADE A PROMISE TILL DEATH DO US PART
BUT WHEN THE TIME CAME IT BROKE MY HEART
—
THE HOURS PART US BUT THEY BRING US TOGETHER AGAIN
—
JESUS CALLED A LITTLE CHILD UNTO HIM
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SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS
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NIGHT, NIGHT, GOD BLESS
———
WE LOST A MOTHER WITH A HEART OF GOLD
HOW MUCH WE MISS HER CAN NEVER BE TOLD
SHE SHARED OUR TROUBLES AND HELPED US ALL ALONG
IF WE FOLLOW HER FOOTSTEPS WE WILL NEVER GO WRONG
—
WE HOLD YOU CLOSE WITHIN OUR HEARTS
AND THERE YOU SHALL REMAIN
TO WALK WITH US THROUGH OUT OUR LIVES
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
—
SHE WAS A MOTHER SO VERY RARE
CONTENT IN HER HOME AND ALWAYS THERE
ON EARTH SHE TOILED IN THE HEAVEN SHE RESTS
GOD BLESS YOU MOTHER YOU ONE OF THE BEST
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WE GIVE OUR LOVE ONES BACK TO GOD
AND JUST AS HE FIRST GAVE THEM TO US
AND DID NOT LOOSE THEM IN THE GIVING
SO WE HAVE NOT LOST THEM IN RETURNING THEM TO HIM
—
OUR FAMILY CHAIN IS BROKEN
NOTHING SEEMS THE SAME
BUT AS GOD CALLS US ONE BY ONE
THE LINKS SHALL JOIN AGAIN
—
HE GAZED AMID THE LITTLE ONES
AND STOPPED TO PICK THE BEST
DEAR…….. WAS THE CHOSEN ONE
WITH JESUS NOW SHE RESTS
—
TO BE A PRECIOUS MOTHER
THERE WAS ONLY EVER ONE OF YOU
WE LOVE AND MISS YOU
GOD BLESS
—
DEATH IS NOT EXTINGUISHING THE LIGHT
BUT PUTTING THE LAMP OUT
BECAUSE THE DAWN AS COME
LIFE’S JOURNEY ON THIS EARTH IS
COMPLETED NOW THEY REST TOGETHER
IN THE LOVING CARE OF ALMIGHTY GOD
—
A BOUQUET OF BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
SPRAYED WITH A MILLION TEARS
—
WE WISH THAT GOD COULD HAVE SPARED
YOU IF JUST FOR A FEW MORE YEARS
—
ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO THEM O LORD
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM
—
MAY THE REST IN PEACE
—
GOD SAW YOU WERE GETTING WEARY
HE DID WHAT HE THOUGHT BEST
HE PUT HIS ARMS AROUND YOU
AND TOOK YOU HOME TO REST
—
A SMILE FOR ALL A HEART OF GOLD
THE VERY BEST THIS WORLD COULD HOLD
NEVER SELFISH ALWAYS KIND
THIS IS THE MEMORY YOU LEFT BEHIND
—
WE HOLD YOU CLOSE IN OUR HEARTS
AND THERE YOU WILL REMAIN
TO WALK WITH US THROUGH OUT OUR LIVES
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
—
A LIGHT FROM OUR HOUSEHOLD HAS GONE
A VOICE WE LOVED IS STILLED
A PLACE IS VACANT IN OUR HOME
WHICH NEVER CAN BE FILLED
—
NEVER ANYONE SO LOVED
NEVER ANYONE SO MISSED
HE WILL LIVE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN
—
DEEP IN OUR HEARTS YOU WILL ALWAYS STAY
NEVER MORE THAN A THOUGHT AWAY
—
IF TEARS COULD BUILD A STAIRWAY AND
MEMORIES BUILD A LANE THEN WE COULD
CLIMB TO HEAVEN & BRING YOU HOME AGAIN
—
OUR THOUGHTS ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU
MEMORIES NEVER FADE
—
WE TREASURE ALL THE THINGS YOU DID
ALL THE LOVE YOU GAVE
—
TWO TIRED EYES ARE SLEEPING
TWO WILLING HANDS ARE STILL
THE ONE WHO WORKED SO HARD FOR US
IS RESTING AT GODS WILL
—
KEEP YOUR ARMS AROUND HIM LORD
GIVE HIM SPECIAL CARE
MAKE UP FOR ALL HE WENT THROUGH
AND ALL THAT SEEMED UNFAIR
—
NO FAREWELLS WERE SPOKEN
NO TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
YOU WERE GONE BEFORE WE KNEW IT
AND ONLY GOD KNOWS WHY
—
SAD ARE THE HEARTS THAT LOVED YOU
SILENT THE TEARS THAT FALL
LIVING OUR LIVES WITHOUT YOU
IS THE SADDEST PART OF ALL
—
ALONG THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY
THAT LEADS ME STRAIGHT TO YOU
ARE MEMORIES OF HAPPY DAYS
TOGETHER WE ONCE KNEW
—
A LOVING SMILE AND KINDLY FACE
NO ONE ON EARTH CAN EVER REPLACE OUR MOTHER
—
I REMEMBER THE DAY I MET YOU
THE DAY GOD MADE YOU MINE
I REMEMBER THE DAY I LOST YOU
AND WILL TO THE END OF TIME
—
THROUGH ALL MY TEARS AND HEARTACHE
THERE’S ONE THING FOR WHICH I’M GLAD
THAT YOU CHOSE ME TO SHARE WITH YOU
THOSE PRECIOUS YEARS WE HAD
—
UNSELFISH WITH A HEART OF GOLD
NO TRUER FATHER THIS WORLD COULD HOLD
—
NO LONGER IN OUR LIVES TO SHARE
BUT IN OUR HEARTS YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE
—
WE THOUGHT OF YOU TODAY DAD
BUT THEN WE ALWAYS DO
FOR WHAT WOULD ANY OF US BE
IF IT WAS NOT FOR YOU
—
YOU GAVE US LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING
AND ENCOURAGED US WITH PRIDE
SO NOW WHENEVER WE NEED A FRIEND
WE KNOW YOU ARE BY OUR SIDE
—
WITHOUT FAREWELL YOU FELL ASLEEP
WITH ONLY MEMORIES LEFT TO KEEP
—
BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES DEARER THAN GOLD
OF OUR LOVED ONE WHOSE WORTH
CAN NEVER BE TOLD
—
HAPPY AND SMILING ALWAYS CONTENT
LOVED AND RESPECTED WHEREVER HE WENT
DEEP IN OUR HEARTS YOUR MEMORY IS KEPT
AS LONG AS WE LIVE WE SHALL NEVER FORGET
—
YOU HAD A SMILE FOR EVERYONE
YOU HAD A HEART OF GOLD
YOU LEFT THE DEAREST MEMORIES
THE WORLD COULD EVER HOLD
—
SHE WOULD NOT WISH FOR SADNESS
SHE WOULD NOT WISH FOR TEARS
JUST TO BE REMEMBERED
THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEARS
—
THE HAPPY HOURS WE ONCE ENJOYED
HOW SWEET THEIR MEMORY STILL
YOUR DEATH HAS LEFT A VACANT PLACE
THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN FILL
—
A BOUQUET OF BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
SPRAYED WITH A MILLION TEARS
WE WISH THAT GOD COULD HAVE SPARED YOU
IF JUST FOR A FEW MORE YEARS
—
WE CANNOT BRING THE OLD DAYS BACK
WHEN WE WERE ALL TOGETHER
THE FAMILY CHAIN IS BROKEN NOW
BUT MEMORIES LIVE FOR EVER
—
WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE
THE REASON WHY NOW WE KNOW
GOD KNEW WE LOVED YOU FAR TO MUCH
TO EVER LET YOU GO
—
ALTHOUGH WE CANNOT SEE YOU
YOU ARE WITH US ALL EACH DAY
THE LOVE YOU GAVE US ALL IN LIFE
DEATH CANNOT TAKE AWAY
—
LOOKING BACK WITH MEMORIES
UPON THE PATH YOU TROD
I BLESS THE HOURS I HAD WITH YOU
AND LEAVE THE REST TO GOD
—
GOD WALKED AROUND HIS GARDEN
AND SAW AN EMPTY SPACE
HE THEN LOOKED DOWN FROM HEAVEN
AND SAW YOUR TIRED FACE
HE PUT HIS ARMS AROUND YOU
AND WHISPERED ‘COME AND REST’
HIS GARDEN MUST BE BEAUTIFUL
FOR HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST
—
NOTHING IS MORE PRECIOUS
THAN THE THOUGHTS WE HAVE OF YOU
TO US YOU WERE SO SPECIAL
GOD MUST HAVE THOUGHT SO TOO
—
FROM OUR HEARTS, ALL OUR LOVE
IN OUR MINDS TREASURED MEMORIES
IN OUR QUIET HOURS, REMEMBRANCE
—
A GOLDEN HEART STOPPED BEATING
HARD WORKING HANDS LAID TO REST
GOD BROKE OUR HEARTS TO PROVE TO US
HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST
—
‘TIS SWEET TO KNOW THAT WE SHALL MEET
WHERE PARTINGS ARE NO MORE
AND THAT THE ONE I LOVED SO MUCH
HAS ONLY GONE BEFORE
—
WE SAT AT HER BEDSIDE
WE HEARD HER LAST FAREWELL
GOD CALLED HER TO HIS GARDEN
THE PLACE SHE LOVED SO WELL
—
A SPECIAL SMILE, A SPECIAL FACE
A SPECIAL DAD WE CAN’T REPLACE
YOU GAVE YOUR LOVE, YOUR WHOLE LIFE THROUGH
GOD BLESS YOU DAD, WE LOVE YOU TOO
———
OUR LADY OF LOURDES
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
MOST MERCIFUL MOTHER OF JESUS
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
INTERCEDE FOR THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY OF KNOCK
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
MERCIFUL MOTHER GUIDE
AND PROTECT THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY QUEEN OF HEAVEN
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY OF FATIMA
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
SWEET JESUS TAKE TO THY LOVING CARE
—
ETERNAL REST GRANT O LORD UNTO THE SOUL OF
—
MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS
HAVE MERCY ON THE SOUL OF
—
O SACRED HEART OF JESUS
HAVE MERCY ON THE SOUL OF
—
SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY ON THE SOUL OF
—
OF YOUR CHARITY PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
PRAY FOR
—
PLEASE PRAY FOR
—
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. ANTHONY PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. FRANCIS PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. THERESA PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. MARTIN DE PORRES PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. JUDE PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. PATRICK PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY OF LOURDES
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
MOST MERCIFUL MOTHER OF JESUS
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
INTERCEDE FOR THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY OF KNOCK
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
MERCIFUL MOTHER GUIDE
AND PROTECT THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY QUEEN OF HEAVEN
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
OUR LADY OF FATIMA
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
SWEET JESUS TAKE TO THY LOVING CARE
—
ETERNAL REST GRANT O LORD UNTO THE SOUL OF
—
MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS
HAVE MERCY ON THE SOUL OF
—
O SACRED HEART OF JESUS
HAVE MERCY ON THE SOUL OF
—
SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY ON THE SOUL OF
—
OF YOUR CHARITY PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
PRAY FOR
—
PLEASE PRAY FOR
—
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. ANTHONY PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. FRANCIS PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. THERESA PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. MARTIN DE PORRES PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. JUDE PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
—
ST. PATRICK PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
———