What goes on a wreath ribbon
The ribbon on a funeral wreath carries a short farewell message and the name of the person or group sending it. The space is small, so the message is only a few words.
Usually two ribbons are used: one bearing the message — for example 'Rest in peace' — and the other the name or relationship of the sender.
How to word the message
A few simple rules guide what to write:
- Short — just a few words, to fit the ribbon
- Sober — a tone of respectful, restrained grief
- Clear — name or relationship of the sender
- Accurate — check the name and message for spelling before printing
| Who sends the wreath | Tone of the message | Example ribbon message |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate family | Warm and personal, with the relationship | We will never forget you — your family |
| Husband or wife | The most personal message | Goodbye, my love |
| Children and grandchildren | Gratitude and love | Thank you for everything, Dad |
| Colleagues and organisations | Sober and formal | In deepest respect — your colleagues |
| Friends | Warm, less intimate than family | Rest in peace, dear friend |
| Brother or sister | Grief and the family bond, in a few words | Goodbye, dear brother |
| Parents, for a child | Love and grief, in very few words | Our darling child — Mum and Dad |
Messages from the immediate family
The immediate family writes warm, personal messages alongside their relationship:
- Forever in our hearts — your children
- We will never forget you — your family
- With deepest love — your wife
- Goodbye, dear Mum — your children and grandchildren
- In eternal memory — the whole family
Messages from a spouse
For a husband or wife, the message is the most personal:
- Goodbye, my love
- I will love you always — your wife
- With grief beyond words — your husband
- You will be in my heart forever
Messages from children and grandchildren
Children and grandchildren often choose messages of gratitude and love:
- Thank you for everything, Dad
- Dear Grandad, we carry you in our hearts
- With love and gratitude — your children
- Rest gently, Mum — your sons and daughters
Wreath messages for Dad
For a father, children usually choose words of thanks and respect. The second ribbon names the children or grandchildren:
- Dad, forever in our thoughts — your children
- Rest in peace, Dad — your son and daughter
- You held us up all our lives, Dad
- May God give you rest, dear Dad
- Always with us, Dad — the family
- With love and thanks — your children and grandchildren
Wreath messages for Mum
For a mother, children usually choose warm words of love and thanks. A few fitting phrases:
- Dear Mum, we will never forget you
- Thank you for all your love, Mum — your children
- Mum, forever in our hearts — your children and grandchildren
- May God give you rest, our dear Mum
- Sleep peacefully, Mum
- Missing you always — your daughter and son
Messages for a grandfather
Grandchildren write simple messages of love and thanks for a grandfather:
- Dear Grandad, we will not forget you — your grandchildren
- Thank you for always looking after us, Grandad
- Rest in peace, Grandad — your grandchildren and great-grandchildren
- Grandpa, always in our hearts
- With love and gratitude — your grandchildren
Messages for a grandmother
For a grandmother, the tone is usually gentle and warm:
- Dear Nan, thank you for everything
- Sleep peacefully, Gran — your grandchildren
- Grandma, never forgotten
- With love and longing — your grandchildren and great-grandchildren
- May God give you rest, dear Gran
Messages for an uncle
A message for an uncle usually comes from nieces and nephews or the wider family. The tone is affectionate but restrained:
- Dear Uncle, rest in peace
- Fondly remembered — your nieces and nephews
- We will not forget you, Uncle — the family
- Rest peacefully, dear Uncle
- A last farewell — your niece and nephew
Messages for an aunt
For an aunt, the tone is the same — affectionate but restrained:
- Dear Auntie, rest in peace
- Sleep peacefully, our dear Aunt
- Never forgotten, Auntie — your nieces and nephews
- Thank you for everything, Aunt — the family
- With love, always — your nieces
From parents who have lost a son or daughter
When parents lose a child, words are hardest of all. If they won't come, just tell us who the wreath is from. We'll suggest a few options, and you choose together with your family.
A short message, with 'Mum and Dad' on the second ribbon, says enough:
- Our darling child, loved forever — Mum and Dad
- Our dear son, always with us — your parents
- Our dear daughter, never forgotten
- Gone too soon — Mum and Dad
- Sleep peacefully, our dear child — your parents
- In our hearts for the rest of our lives — Mum, Dad and your brothers and sisters
Messages from colleagues and organisations
On behalf of a team or company, the tone is sober and formal:
- In deepest respect — your colleagues
- With esteem and gratitude — the team
- With sincere condolences — your workmates
- We will not forget you — your colleagues at [organisation]
Messages for a friend
Close friends write warm messages, less intimate than family:
- Rest in peace, dear friend
- You will stay in our memory
- Goodbye, dear friend — your friends
- With love and sorrow
- Dear friend, never forgotten
- A true friend is never forgotten — your friends
- Rest peacefully, my friend
Religious messages for the ribbon
A religious note on the ribbon is fitting for a family of faith:
- May God grant you rest
- Rest in eternal peace
- Rest gently in the Lord's light
- May you rest where there is no pain
How the ribbon is attached
Ribbons are pinned to the wreath or spray so they hang at the front, with the message clearly visible. The florist or funeral home prepares and writes them to your specification.
Just give us the message and the name — we handle the writing and placement. See also the guide on flowers at a funeral.
Messages from a brother or sister
For a sibling, the message combines grief with the bond of family, in a few words:
- Goodbye, dear brother
- You will always be my sister
- With love, your brothers and sisters
- We will not forget you, dear sister
- Dear brother, you will always be missed — your sister
- Rest in peace, dear sister — your brother
Short funeral wreath messages — two or three words
When the ribbon space is very limited, a two- or three-word message is entirely appropriate:
- Rest in peace
- Forever missed
- In loving memory
- Always remembered
- With love always
- Sadly missed
- Rest peacefully
- Never forgotten
Messages from a neighbour or acquaintance
For a colleague, neighbour, or acquaintance, the tone is warm but less intimate than family:
- Safe travels, dear neighbour
- With respect — your neighbours
- An unforgettable neighbour
- With sincere regret — those who knew you
How we help
We prepare the wreath or spray and write the ribbon with the message you choose, ready to be placed at the ceremony. We'll help you find the right wording for your relationship.
We're available around the clock. For a conversation with no obligations, call us or see our floral arrangements.