Photo: Nicola Barts

What can I say instead of rest in peace?

10 Alternative Phrases or Sayings for 'Rest in Peace' “They will be missed.” ... “Rest in Power.” ... “He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Writer. ... “May their soul find rest.” ... “I'll remember them/you.” More items... •

joincake.com - 10 Alternative Phrases or Sayings for 'Rest in Peace' | Cake Blog

Can any country be self-sufficient?

So self sufficiency comes down to whether a country could feed its people with its own production, not whether it actually is. By that measure,...

Last updated May 12, 2019

Will a dog DNA test tell me if my dog is part wolf?

The dog-wolf hybrid test is powerful enough to detect hybrids within 3 generations. Because of the close genetic relationship among dogs and...

Last updated Nov 1, 2018

Promotion

Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure. Saying “rest in peace” is a common phrase to show comfort and sympathy over someone’s death, usually shared via social media or written in a card. The saying has been around for ages, originally translated from Latin as “requiescat in pace.” For some, it has deep spiritual meaning. Some religions focus on resting in peace until a glorious resurrection. For others, it’s a phrase that’s only ironically used around Halloween. “Rest in peace” can feel kind of hollow, given how much it’s used both colloquially and as a general phrase for condolences. In addition to the religious connotations, saying “rest in peace” might not be the words you want to say. If you’re looking for something different that aligns with your personal wishes to give sympathy or simply just wanting to say anything else, here are some other potential phrases. Tip: If someone you know recently lost a loved one, our post-loss checklist can help them sort through the complicated tasks and challenges they might be facing.

1. “They will be missed.”

Rest in peace quotes can be a dime a dozen. That’s because they express what we all want to—sympathy and compassion. Acknowledging the loss of a person by saying “they will be missed” can hit the right note. By being honest and admitting that you’ll miss their loved one is a good sentiment to share. It also lets someone know that their loved one touched other lives, too. They aren’t the only one who’s going to miss their presence.

2. “Rest in Power.”

Some people don’t have any sort of religious or personal objections to the phrase “rest in peace.” “Rest in Power” is the opposite in a sense, in that you can recognize the meaning of someone’s life in an enlightening and powerful way (hence the word “power.”) The saying was frequently used after the death of Trayvon Martin in 2014, to give meaning to his death. A lot of activists both online and offline used “rest in power” as a rallying cry to signal that the fight for equality lives on. You can use it to pay tribute to someone who died unjustly, who was an activist, or someone who championed various causes during their lifetime. But even if neither of those things are true, rest in power evokes a very different image than its’ peaceful counterpart. 3. “He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Writer As a French writer who wrote during the first half of the 20th century, de Saint-Exupery lived through both World War I and II. As a French citizen, he saw firsthand the direct effects of both these wars on his country. From wars to economic woes to Nazi occupation, de Saint-Exupery’s homeland was tortured. Given his exposure to so much volatility and grief in those years, it is no surprise that Saint-Exupery was able to wring out his emotions through his written words. Of course, all of us want our loved ones to be with us. But by cherishing their memory, we may be motivated to act differently, and better, than if they were still with us.

What is the most important item in first aid kit?

The Five Most Important Items for a First Aid Kit Bandages and dressings –a few adhesive bandages and gauze dressings to cover wounds. Antibiotic...

Last updated Dec 18, 2020

Was Black Bess a real tank?

The Black Bess was a Mark IV Female that served at the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. The fate of the tank is largely unknown — it was either destroyed...

Last updated Mar 19, 2021

Promotion

4. “May their soul find rest.”

Maybe the person you know doesn’t believe in a peaceful rest but rather reincarnation or final judgment. Regardless of their particular beliefs after death, if they are inclined to believe in a spirit, this is a good quote to keep handy. If you aren’t sure whether this would be contrary to their beliefs, it’s probably best to refrain. This saying can provide some softness, and could be good to include in a condolence card.

5. “I’ll remember them/you.”

When it comes down to it, many of us just want to be remembered. Many don’t need to make a major splash, like a public figure or politician that will go down in the history books. They just want to be remembered by loved ones. But under the stress of illness or death, it’s easy to believe that you’ll be forgotten. This quiet reassurance can mean the world, whether you’re talking to them or a loved one that needs a little comfort. This could work as a headstone saying, too, from one spouse to another.

6. “It wasn’t easy to let them go.”

Sometimes, “rest in peace” is easy to write on sympathy messages. But if you’re trying to say something in person that accurately reflects your sympathy and compassion, go for it. Some folks that are grieving may not be comforted by platitudes. And many people are afraid of hurting them right now. While that’s incredibly kind, many grieving people can feel uncomfortable being handled so carefully. Rather than sugar-coating it, by assuring them that their loved one is “in a better place,” admit how hard this has been.

7. “Death is something inevitable.” — Nelson Mandela, Activist

If you’re trying to give condolences, this may not be the best choice given its directness. However, in today’s society being afraid of death is normal and mostly considered to be the status quo. It happens to everyone. It ends all lives, hopefully after a long, rich existence. But it will always happen—and that’s why you should try to work on your end-of-life plan. This quote speaks to the pragmatic at heart and if this describes your friend or loved one, this may provide a small measure of comfort.

» DID YOU KNOW? Cake now offers free funeral planning consultations.

8. “There are no goodbyes. Wherever you’ll be, you’ll be in my heart.” — Gandhi, Activist and Politician Despite the finality of death on this mortal plane, that does not mean that our loved ones will be gone forever. For those who grieve the death of a family member or a loved one, their memories might be the most precious things they have left. With this quote, you can offer sympathy and also words of hope. Religious or not, anyone can tweak this saying to include it in a card or on a social media caption.

What year will we run out of energy?

It is predicted that we will run out of fossil fuels in this century. Oil can last up to 50 years, natural gas up to 53 years, and coal up to 114...

Last updated May 16, 2020

Is the Wii U still sold?

Wii U production ended in January 2017. On March 3, 2017, Nintendo released its successor, the Nintendo Switch, which retained and refined concepts...

Last updated May 25, 2022

Promotion

9. “Those who walk uprightly enter into peace.” — The Book of Isaiah This is the perfect quote if someone is Christian or Jewish. The book of Isaiah is included in the Christian Bible, and Isaiah is a crucial foreteller of the Messiah in Jewish tradition. If you’d like to include both faith traditions, this is a great quote to do it with. For those who rely on their faith to get them through tough periods, this quote from the Bible can remind them of the heaven that is up ahead.

10. “May tender memories soften your grief.” — Helen Steiner-Rice, Writer

Like the Gandhi quote above, this one also benefits from its wide reach to everyone, regardless of their faith tradition. Helen Steiner-Rice hits a truism that can be hard to articulate when offering sympathy, one that can only be felt after some time has passed. Grief can be both sharp and endless, but it is not going to be that way forever. If you are close to the person grieving, make sure to consider this quote. Was this a loved one that they had a rough relationship with? Is this a parent that didn’t raise them well? If so, this quote might not be the right one. If you don’t know what kind of relationship they had, it’s probably safe to send it. They’ll know you meant well.

Sending Well Wishes

Having a template in mind is a great idea. It can help if you’re trying to craft sympathy messages or a social media caption. And if you have the right words, it can make you feel more confident. If you’re confident, you’re much more likely to reach out when someone’s hurting. But what if you’re talking to someone over the phone, or in-person? Saying “I’ll remember them” is a great start to the conversation. After you say that, though, what else can you do? The conversation will undoubtedly continue, and you might slip. Flying blind is scary, and it sounds cliche to follow your heart. Thinking about your words, and doing your best, is all you can do.

Sources:

joincake.com - 10 Alternative Phrases or Sayings for 'Rest in Peace' | Cake Blog

Why do men use lipstick?

A Crash Course In Lipstick For Men. Wearing lipstick is a great way to accentuate one's features and natural lip color, express personality or mood...

Last updated Sep 17, 2018

What is the most exhausting age to parent?

Older parents are generally less at risk for depression than younger ones. Parents still in their early 20s appear to have the hardest time because...

Last updated Jun 29, 2020

Promotion

Why do they not feed hospice patients?

Physical Changes at the End of Life in Hospice Care Continuing to insist that your loved one receives food and water, including artificial...

Last updated Jun 16, 2018

Promotion

What do longest living people drink?

Residents of the Blue Zones—five parts of the world where the life expectancy is longer than anywhere else in the world—typically drink one to two...

Last updated Jul 1, 2021