When my mom passed away, I found myself staring at a blinking cursor.
Not because I didn't have anything to say...
But because I had too much.
How do you summarize a lifetime of love?
How do you explain the woman who taught you everything?
How do you write something worthy of someone you'll never stop missing?
The hardest part wasn't choosing a funeral program.
It wasn't picking photos.
It wasn't even planning the service.
It was finding the words.
If you're here, chances are you're feeling something similar.
Please know this...
You don't have to write like a poet.
You don't have to find the perfect words.
You simply have to write from your heart.
At Was It Sad?, we help families create beautiful funeral programs filled with meaningful stories and heartfelt tributes. We'd be honored to help tell your loved one's story.
But if hiring us isn't in your budget right now, I hope these examples help you say what your heart has been trying to.
Because every family deserves words they'll be proud to read years from now.
A funeral program isn't just a schedule.
It's often the last gift you'll give someone you love.
Years from now...
Someone may pull it from a keepsake box.
A grandchild may read it for the first time.
A friend may smile through tears remembering a story.
The words you choose become part of your loved one's legacy.
Don't worry about sounding perfect.
Worry about sounding like them.
Today we gather to celebrate the remarkable life of someone who touched countless hearts with kindness, love, and unwavering faith.
Some people leave footprints wherever they go. Others leave pieces of themselves in every life they touch. Today we celebrate someone who did both.
Though our hearts are heavy today, we find comfort knowing that this is not goodbye forever, but until we meet again.
A beautiful life deserves a beautiful remembrance.
She was the heart of our family, the voice of wisdom, and the first person we called when life felt uncertain.
His quiet strength, steady love, and unwavering support shaped generations.
She loved deeply, laughed often, and somehow made every gathering feel like home.
His stories, wisdom, and gentle spirit will continue to guide our family for years to come.
The family sincerely thanks everyone for your prayers, flowers, visits, phone calls, meals, and every act of kindness shown during this difficult time.
During one of the hardest seasons of our lives, your love reminded us we weren't walking alone. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Forever Loved.
Until We Meet Again.
Your Story Lives On Through Us.
Gone From Our Sight, Forever In Our Hearts.
Love Never Ends.
Instead of simply listing scripture...
Introduce it.
Example:
The following scripture brought comfort to our loved one throughout their life and continues to remind our family of God's promises.
"Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us every day."
"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die."
"What we once enjoyed deeply, we can never lose."
"A life beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered."
This is something I wish someone had told me.
The people reading your funeral program aren't grading your writing.
They're remembering someone they loved.
They're looking for honesty.
Not perfection.
Write what feels true.
If your mom made the world's best sweet potato pie...
Say that.
If your dad never missed one of your games...
Say that.
If your grandmother hugged everyone before they left the house...
Say that.
Those are the details people remember forever.
When I finished writing my mom's funeral program, I kept wondering if I'd done enough.
Looking back...
I realize something.
People didn't remember the fancy wording.
They remembered her.
The words simply helped everyone see her one more time.
That's what memorial wording should do.
Help people remember.
If writing feels overwhelming, please know you don't have to do it alone.
At Was It Sad?, we create personalized funeral programs that celebrate every unique life through meaningful stories, elegant design, and heartfelt words.
We'll help you organize your memories, choose the right wording, and create a keepsake your family will treasure for generations.
But if you're writing it yourself because that's what your family needs right now...
I hope these examples gave you a place to begin.
Because every homegoing deserves a back story.
And every story deserves words worthy of the life it celebrates.
Include a heartfelt introduction, an obituary, the order of service, acknowledgements, meaningful quotes or scriptures, family tributes, and a closing message that reflects your loved one's life.
There isn't a required length. A few sincere sentences often mean more than an entire page of formal writing.
Yes. Many families include poems, favorite sayings, hymns, or brief lyric excerpts that were meaningful to their loved one. Be mindful of copyright if using modern song lyrics.
Either is appropriate. First person can feel deeply personal, while third person offers a more traditional style.