Sympathy Sayings and Toasts

These sympathy sayings and quotes are suitable for eulogies, memorial speeches and toasts. If you are asked to share a few words at a funeral or memorial service, these can add just right touch to your speech.

Toasting and drinking in honor of or in memory of a loved one is more common is some regions than others. The Irish are known for their toasts, or "blessings" as they call them, given and wake services. Memorial or funeral toasts can be done with any type of beverage. The beauty is in the act of raising the glasses in tribute to someone, and it is not so much about drinking alcohol.

Sympathy sayings can also be used in memorial tributes, obituaries and sympathy cards.

Comforting Sun

May the sunshine of comfort
dispel the clouds of despair.

Rainbows, Laughter and Tears

May you find
Rainbows after every storm,
May you remember the laughter,
Smiles in the tears

Remembering Past Meetings

Oh, here's to other meetings,
And merry greetings then;
And here's to those we've drunk with,
But never can again.
Leaving Indelible Imprints
I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.
They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.
Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.
We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.

-Leo Buscaglia

Shining Through The Tears

It's easy to be pleasant when life flows by like a song.
But the man worth while is the one who can smile,
When everything goes dead wrong.
For the test of the heart is trouble and it always comes with years.
And the smile that is worth the praises of earth,
Is the smile that shines through the tears.

Light Burdens and Love

May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.

On the Saddest Days

May the saddest day of your future be no worse
Than the happiest day of your past.

Weeping and Sorrow

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,
and you shall see that in truth
you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

-Kahlil Gibran

Remembrance

Let today embrace the past with remembrance
And the future with longing

-Kahlil Gibran

Remember and Forget

Always remember to forget,
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Live in Hearts

To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.

Joys and Shadows

May your joys be as bright as the morning;
and your sorrow but shadows that fade in the sunlight of love.

Peace and Tears

May we live in peace without weeping.
May our joy outline the lives we touch without ceasing.
And may our love fill the world, angel wings tenderly beating.

Slightly Humorous Sympathy Sayings

Most sympathy sayings and quotes tend to be serious and somber, but given the right occasion you may want more light-hearted sayings.

Food, Contentment and Death

May you have food and raiment,
A soft pillow for your head,
May you be forty years in heaven
Before the devil knows you're dead.

Escape the Devil

May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven
half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

Sing at Your Wake

May you live to be a hundred
And may I live to sing at your wake!

Peaceful Ends

May we all come to peaceful ends
And leave our debts unto our friends.

Lying, Stealing and Cheating

Here's to lying, stealing, and cheating!
May you lie to save a friend;
May you steal the heart of the one you love;
and may you cheat death.