In the past I’ve been asked to come up with keepsake cards to be handed out at a funeral service. You’ve probably held one yourself – a small card, usually with a photo on the front and a few lines on the back.
It was much more difficult than I had first thought it would be. I ended up with a shoebox of old pictures of the deceased (my aunt) trying to come up with something that reflected her.
So if you’re going through a similar situation – choosing a prayer for a funeral card – I want to make it a little easier. Below you’ll find short prayers, traditional prayers, Catholic prayers, Bible verses and non religious options – all chosen because they fit on a small card and come across well when someone reads them to themselves.
A quick note before we start. This will all be about the words you print on a keepsake or memorial card or write inside a sympathy card you’re sending. If you’re looking got prayers to read aloud during the service itself try our collection of funeral prayers instead. And if you’d prefer verses that aren’t prayers our short funeral verses for cards has plenty.
What Is a Funeral Prayer Card?
A funeral prayer card, also called a memorial card or remembrance card, is a small printed keepsake given to people who attend a funeral, wake or celebration of life.
Usually one side has a photo of the person who died along with their name and the dates of their birth and death. The other side has a prayer, a short poem, a Bible verse or a few lines of remembrance. People put them in their wallet, inside a Bible or keep them on the fridge – a way to hold on to someone.
They started out as a mostly Catholic tradition often featuring a saint or a holy image but these days families of every faith and none use them. The prayer you choose should really reflect two things: the beliefs of the person who died and the tone of the service.
A devout grandmother might have a scripture verse she loved. A quieter, less religious send off might work better with poem instead of a formal prayer.
Short Prayers for Funeral Cards
Space is tight on a card so something short will work best. These are brief enough to fit beneath a photo and still say something that matters. Some are original to us and some are traditional.
A Quiet Prayer
Lord, keep them safe within your care,
Beyond all pain, all grief, all fear.
Hold them close where sorrows cease,
And grant them your eternal peace.
Amen.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
********************************
Until We Meet Again
We give thanks for the years we shared,
For laughter, love and time to care.
Watch over them till that bright day
When we’re together, come what may.
Amen.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
********************************
Rest Now
God, we place them in your hands,
The one we loved, the one who’s gone.
Grant them rest and grant us peace,
And hold us gently, carry us on.
Amen.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
********************************
A Prayer of Thanks
For every memory, every smile,
For every mile we walked together,
We thank you, Lord. Now take their hand
And keep them safe with you forever.
Amen.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
********************************
Eternal Rest
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
Traditional
********************************
Go in Peace
May God hold you in the palm of his hand,
May the light of heaven be your guide,
And when we speak your name with love,
Know that you are always by our side.
Amen.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
Traditional Prayers for Funeral Cards
If the family had strong faith these are the prayers people look to over and over. They’re familiar and comforting and most people can read them without stumbling. All of these are traditional and free to use.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Traditional
********************************
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Amen.
Psalm 23, King James Version
SEE MORE: Comforting Bible Verses for Times of Loss
********************************
The Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen.
Traditional
********************************
An Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Traditional Irish Blessing
********************************
A Gaelic Blessing
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.
Traditional Gaelic Blessing
Catholic Prayers for Funeral Cards
Prayer cards have their roots in the Catholic tradition so if you’re planning a Catholic funeral you’ll have a lot to draw from. Many families choose a prayer to a favorite saint on a picture card, or a line of scripture paired with a holy image.
These are the ones most often requested. You’ll find even more in our Catholic funeral readings and our guide to prayers for the dead.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Traditional, attributed to St. Francis of Assisi
********************************
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone
who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thy intercession
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Traditional Catholic Prayer
********************************
Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto thee,
that with thy saints I may praise thee
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Traditional Catholic Prayer
********************************
Prayer to St. Anthony
St. Anthony, gentle and loving,
your care for the lost and the grieving
is known throughout the world.
Watch over the soul of our loved one,
and comfort all of us who remain.
Pray for us, that we may be reunited
one day in the peace of God.
Amen.
By Sympathy Message Ideas, in the tradition of prayers to St. Anthony
A few other Catholic prayers families often print on cards include the Hail Mary, the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, the prayer to St. Jude and short devotions to St. Joseph or St. Theresa. Any of these work beautifully on a picture prayer card featuring the matching saint.
Bible Verses for Funeral Prayer Cards
Sometimes a single line of scripture says everything. A verse fits neatly on even the smallest card and can even comfort believers deeply. These are among the most loved passages for remembrance. For a fuller collection see our Bible verses about loss.
- “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” – John 11:25
- “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying.” – Revelation 21:4
- “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
- “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.” – Psalm 34:18
- “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions.” – John 14:1-2
- “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” – Isaiah 40:31
- “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7
- “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
All verses shown in the King James Version
Non Religious Verses for Funeral Cards
Not every family wants a prayer. Lots of people mark a life with something heartfelt instead – a few lines about love, memory or simply saying goodbye. These originals are ours and they’re written to work on a keepsake card. You’ll find many more over on our funeral poems page.
Always Near
Though we cannot see you now,
you are never truly far.
You live in every memory,
in laughter, and each star.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
********************************
A Life Well Loved
Your life was love, your heart was kind,
a gentle soul we’ll always find
in quiet moments, day by day –
loved beyond all words to say.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
********************************
Remember Me
Remember me with smiles, not tears,
for all the laughter through the years.
And when you speak my name again,
know love like ours will never end.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
********************************
Softly Gone
No goodbyes, no last goodnight,
just a soul that slipped from sight.
Held in love and held in grace,
gone to a warmer, kinder place.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
One of the most requested non religious readings for keepsake cards is “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” by Mary Elizabeth Frye. It’s lovely, though it can run a little long for a small card so many families print just the opening lines or pair it with a photo across a folded card.
Prayers to Write in a Sympathy Card
There’s a second kind of card this comes up for – the sympathy card you send to the family. If you know they’re people of faith then offering a short prayer alongside your condolences can mean a great deal.
Keep it warm and personal rather than preachy. The below are a few you can copy straight in and for more wording see our sympathy prayers and what to write in a sympathy card.
- May God wrap his arms around you and your family and carry you gently through the days ahead. You’re in my prayers.
- Praying that the God of all comfort brings you peace, and that you feel his presence close in the hardest moments. With love and sympathy.
- My prayers are with you. May the memories you shared become a quiet source of strength, and may you find rest in God’s care.
- Holding you close in prayer and asking God to send you comfort, peace and the strength to face each new day.
- May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may his light shine upon your family through this time of grief. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
If you’d like a longer letter to include with a card our sympathy card messages has more than a hundred examples.
A Prayer for a Child or Baby
Losing a child is unimaginable and the words on a card have to be handled with real care. If you’re making a keepsake card for a little one gone too soon these lines may help.
Little One at Rest
Safe in the arms of God you sleep,
too dearly loved for us to keep.
A tiny light, a precious start,
forever held within our heart.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
********************************
Held in Heaven
Though your time with us was brief,
your love outshines our deepest grief.
Now cradled where the angels are,
our little one, our brightest star.
By Sympathy Message Ideas
How to Choose the Right Prayer for a Funeral Card
With so many options it can be hard to decide on just one. A few things worth thinking about:
- Match their faith not just yours. Choose a prayer that reflects what the person who died believed. A verse they loved or a prayer they said often will feel far more personal than a generic one.
- Read it out loud. If it flows easily when you say it it’ll read well for the people holding the card too. If you trip over the words then it’s probably too long or too formal.
- Mind the length. Cards are small. A four line verse or a single Bible passage usually looks better than a full page prayer you’ve had to squeeze into tiny print. If you really want a longer piece then use a folded card.
- Pair it with the photo. The prayer and the picture should feel like they go together. A warm photo suits a hopeful blessing. A quiet, formal portrait might call for a more traditional prayer.
- Add a personal line if it helps. There’s nothing wrong with following a traditional prayer with a short sentence of your own, like “Forever in our hearts” or the person’s own favorite saying.
If you’re choosing wording for the flowers as well our guides to funeral flower messages and what to write on a wreath can help.
Whatever you choose try not to worry too much. You can’t really get it wrong.
The people who receive that little card will treasure it not because the words are flawless but because it has the memory of someone they loved. A simple prayer is more than enough – and that photo of a face they miss will do the rest.
