A one year remembrance message is a few lines written to mark the first anniversary of a death. Families share it on a card, as a WhatsApp status, in a newspaper notice or at a church service. This guide gives you sample remembrance messages for a late mother, father, husband, wife, brother, sister, grandparent and friend, with wording for a card and a simple order for the day.
What a one year remembrance message says
It is short. Most have four parts.
- The time that has passed. "One year ago today", "It has been five years".
- Who the person was to you. Father, mother, husband, wife, sister, friend.
- What you miss or carry with you.
- A closing line. A prayer, a promise or a simple "rest on".
Write it in the words your family uses. A plain line from the heart is better than a borrowed verse.
Opening lines you can use
- One year ago today, you left us.
- It is one year today, and it still feels like yesterday.
- A year has passed, but your place in this family has not been filled.
- Twelve months without you, and not one day without thinking of you.
- Today we remember the day you went home.
Closing lines you can use
- Continue to rest in peace.
- Rest on, till we meet again.
- Gone from our sight, never from our hearts.
- Your memory is a blessing to us.
- We love you, and we will not forget.
One year remembrance message for a late father
Replace the words in brackets with your own details.
1 year death anniversary message for a father
One year ago today, you left us, Daddy. The house is quieter, but your words are still loud in our hearts. We miss your advice, your prayers and your laugh. Continue to rest in the Lord, (name). Your children remember you with love.
From a son or daughter
Daddy, it is one year today. I still hear your voice when I have a hard choice to make, and I still ask myself what you would do. Thank you for the name you gave me and the example you set. I am trying to live in a way that would make you proud. Rest well, (name).
Short remembrance messages for a late father
- One year gone, never forgotten. Rest on, Daddy. We are holding on to all you taught us.
- A year without your voice, Papa, but your lessons speak every day. Rest in peace.
- Dad, we kept our promise. The family is still together. Sleep well.
- One year on, your chair is empty but your place is not. We miss you, Daddy.
- You worked so that we could stand. We are standing, Baba. Rest on.
One year remembrance message for a late mother
1 year death anniversary message for a mother
Mummy, it is one year today. We still reach for the phone to call you. Thank you for the love that raised us, and the prayers that still cover us. We miss you every day. Rest in perfect peace, (name).
From a son or daughter
Mama, a whole year has passed. I cooked your (dish) last week and it did not taste like yours, but the children ate it and asked for your stories. I told them. You are still teaching us, even now. Thank you for everything you gave up for us. Sleep on, (name), till we meet again.
Short remembrance messages for a late mother
- A year without you, Mama, and not a day without thinking of you. Sleep on.
- Mummy, one year today. Your prayers are still working. Thank you. Rest in peace.
- We miss your voice, your food and your hands. One year on, we love you still, Mum.
- The home you made is still warm, Mama. Continue to rest in the Lord.
- One year gone. A mother like you is never replaced, only remembered. Rest on.
For a late husband or wife
One year remembrance of a late husband
My dear husband, one year has passed, and I still set your place in my heart. Thank you for (number) years of love and partnership. The children are well, and they speak of you often. Rest well, my love, till we meet again.
One year remembrance of a late wife
My darling wife, a year has gone by since you left. The home you built still stands on your love. I miss your voice, your care and your company. Sleep on, my dear. You are remembered every day.
Short messages for a husband or wife
- One year without you, my love. I am keeping the home as you would want it. Rest well.
- A year on, I still turn to tell you things. Thank you for every year we had. Sleep on, my dear.
- You were my friend before anything else. I miss my friend. Rest in peace, (name).
- The children have your smile, and I see you every day. One year gone, always loved.
For a brother, sister, grandparent or child
One year remembrance of a late brother or sister
One year already. We grew up side by side, and I still look for you in every family gathering. Thank you for being my (brother, sister) and my friend. Rest in peace, (name).
One year remembrance of a grandmother or grandfather
(Grandma, Grandpa), it is one year today. We still tell your stories and use your sayings, and the little ones know your name. Thank you for your love and your prayers over this family. Rest on, (name).
One year remembrance of a son or daughter
Our dear (name), one year has passed since you left us. You were with us for too short a time, and we loved every day of it. We speak your name and we keep your memory close. Rest in peace, our child.
Short messages
- One year on, my brother. I still save jokes to tell you. Rest well.
- My sister, my first friend. A year has passed and I miss you the same. Sleep on.
- Grandma, your prayers still cover this family. One year gone, never forgotten.
- Grandpa, we are keeping the name you gave us with care. Rest in peace.
For a friend or colleague
One year remembrance of a friend
A year on, we still speak your name with a smile. You were a good friend and a good person. Rest well, (name).
Short messages for a friend or colleague
- One year today, my friend. The group is not the same without you. Rest in peace.
- A year has passed, and your desk, your jokes and your help are still missed by all of us at (workplace). Rest on, (name).
- Good friends are hard to find and harder to lose. Remembering you today, (name).
In loving memory messages for a card, status or post
Use one of these under a photo or on a WhatsApp status.
- In loving memory of (name). One year gone, forever in our hearts.
- Gone but not forgotten. (Name), (year of birth) to (year of death).
- One year in the arms of the Lord. Rest on, (name).
- A year has passed. The love has not.
- Remembered today and every day.
- Your life was a gift, and your memory is a treasure.
- Still loved, still missed, still ours.
- One year on, we thank God for your life.
Christian remembrance messages and Bible verses
A Christian one year remembrance message
One year ago, the Lord called (name) home. We miss (him, her), but we do not mourn as those who have no hope. We thank God for a life well lived and for the promise that we shall meet again. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord.
Many families add a verse to the card. The wording here is from the King James Version, which is free to print.
- Psalm 112, verse 6. "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance."
- Proverbs 10, verse 7. "The memory of the just is blessed."
- Philippians 1, verse 3. "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."
- Psalm 116, verse 15. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
- Matthew 5, verse 4. "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
For more, see Bible verses for funerals.
Remembrance messages for later years
The same pattern works for any year. Change the number and say what has happened since.
- Five years today, Daddy. The grandchildren you did not meet know your name. Rest on.
- Ten years have passed, Mama, and we still do things the way you showed us. Thank you.
- Another year without you, and another year of living by what you taught us. Rest in peace, (name).
- Time has passed, but the love has stayed. Remembering you today, as always.
What to say to someone on the anniversary
If a friend or relative lost someone a year ago, send a short message on the day. Name the person who died.
- I am thinking of you today, and remembering (name) with you.
- One year today. I have not forgotten (him, her), or you.
- (Name) was a good (man, woman), and is still missed. I am praying for you and the family today.
- I know today is hard. I am here if you would like company or a call.
Wording for a remembrance card or newspaper notice
A card or notice usually carries a heading, a photo, the name, the dates, a short message, and who it is from.
Headings in common use are "Remembrance", "In loving memory", "In memoriam", "First anniversary remembrance" and "Gone but not forgotten".
A one year remembrance card
In loving memory of our dear (father, mother), (title and full name), who slept in the Lord on (date). One year has passed, but your memory lives on in all of us. Continue to rest in peace.
Fondly remembered by your (wife, husband), children, grandchildren and the entire (surname) family.
A card with an invitation to the service
First anniversary remembrance
(TITLE AND FULL NAME)
(year of birth) to (year of death)It is one year since our beloved (mother, father) went to rest. We thank God for (her, his) life.
A remembrance service will hold on (day, date) at (time), at (place).
The (surname) family
The free poster maker sets out a card like this with a photo. For the wording of other notices, see funeral announcement wording.
A short word to say at the remembrance service
If you are asked to speak, one minute is enough.
Good (morning, afternoon). On behalf of the (surname) family, thank you for joining us today.
It is one year since (name) left us. In that year we have missed (his, her) (voice, advice, laughter) at every family gathering. We have also seen how much (he, she) left behind: a united family, a good name and many friends, some of whom are here.
Thank you for standing with us at the burial, and for remembering with us today. May God bless you.
A simple programme for a remembrance service
Ask your minister first. Many churches include the remembrance in a Sunday service, and some have a set form. For a separate service or a gathering at home, this order is a starting point.
- Opening hymn
- Opening prayer
- Bible reading
- Hymn
- A short word about the person, by a family member
- Exhortation
- Prayers for the family
- Thanksgiving offering, where the church takes one
- Closing hymn
- Benediction
- Visit to the graveside or laying of a wreath, if the family wishes
- Refreshments
Some families use the first anniversary to unveil the tombstone. If so, add the unveiling and a prayer at the graveside. For hymns to choose from, see funeral hymns.
Customs differ
The first anniversary is marked widely, but not in the same way everywhere. Some families and churches also mark the fortieth day. Some keep a memorial Mass each year. Muslim families may hold a prayer and give alms. In some places, mourning clothes are put aside at the end of the first year. Follow what your family and place of worship do.
Tips
- Send the card in the morning of the day, to family and church groups.
- Use a photo that shows the person well, not one from their illness.
- Check the date of death against the funeral programme.
- Keep it short. Three or four sentences are enough.
- Include the others who grieve. Sign it from "the family" if you are not sure whom to list.
For thanking those who come, see appreciation message after a burial. For a longer piece about a parent, see tribute to my late mother and tribute to my late father.
Questions people ask
What do you write for a one year remembrance?
Say how long it has been, who the person was to you, what you miss or carry with you, and end with a prayer or a simple "rest on". Three or four sentences are enough. For example: "Mummy, it is one year today. We miss you every day. Rest in perfect peace."
What is a short remembrance message for a late mother or father?
"One year gone, never forgotten. Rest on, Daddy." or "A year without you, Mama, and not a day without thinking of you. Sleep on." A single true line under a good photo is enough for a card or a status.
What do you say to someone on the first anniversary of a death?
Tell them you remember, and use the name of the person who died. "I am thinking of you today, and remembering (name) with you" is enough. You do not need to give advice.
How do families mark the one year anniversary of a death?
Customs differ. Some hold a church service or a prayer at the graveside, some share a remembrance card or place a newspaper notice, and some unveil the tombstone. Follow what your family and place of worship do.
What heading goes on a remembrance card?
Headings in common use are "Remembrance", "In loving memory", "In memoriam", "First anniversary remembrance" and "Gone but not forgotten". Put the name, the dates and a clear photo below it.
Make a remembrance booklet with Homegoing
Homegoing can make a short booklet for a memorial or anniversary service: the cover, the order of service, the hymn words and a page of memories. Choose "Memorial Service" or "First Anniversary" in the arrangements. Start a programme