A welcome sign is often the first thing guests see as they arrive at a funeral or memorial service, so getting the wording right matters more than it might seem. The good news is that welcome sign wording is usually simple: a title, a name, some dates, and sometimes a short personal touch. Here's a look at each part, with real examples to help you find the right words.
Choosing a Title
Most welcome signs open with a short phrase above the name. Here are a few of the most commonly used:
- "In Loving Memory of"
- "Celebrating the Life of"
- "Forever in Our Hearts"
- "Gone but Never Forgotten"
- "A Life Well Lived"
Keep it to one line if possible, since it needs to be readable from a distance as guests walk in.
Name and Dates
Directly below the title, include your loved one's full name, followed by their birth and passing dates. A simple format like this works well:
Margaret Anne Wilson
March 3, 1948 – September 10, 2026
Some families use a nickname or the name their loved one was known by rather than their full legal name, which can feel warmer and more personal for guests who knew them that way.
Adding a Short Welcome Message
Beneath the name and dates, a brief line thanking guests for coming or acknowledging the occasion is a nice, optional touch:
- "Thank you for celebrating [Name]'s life with us today"
- "We're grateful you're here to remember [Name] with us"
- "Please join us in celebrating a life full of love and laughter"
This isn't required, and plenty of signs work perfectly well with just a title, name, and dates.
Faith-Based Wording
For a religious service, a short verse or line of scripture can sit well beneath the title or dates:
- "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)
- "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)
- "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)
Keep any verse short enough to read in a glance, longer passages are better saved for the program or a reading during the ceremony.
Personal Touches
A line that reflects your loved one's personality or interests can make the sign feel distinctly theirs:
- A favorite saying or phrase they were known for
- A nod to a lifelong hobby ("Forever chasing the perfect wave")
- A line from a favorite song or poem
These small details are often what guests remember most.
Keeping It Readable
Whatever wording you choose, size and spacing matter as much as the words themselves. Guests will usually read the sign from several feet away, not up close, so keep the title and name large and avoid overly decorative or thin fonts for anything important. A cluttered sign with too much text is harder to read at a glance than one with just the essentials.
A Few Real Welcome Sign Examples
Product example 1
Funeral Photo Collage Welcome Sign — includes a photo collage with space for 9 photos, with both "In Loving Memory" and "Celebrating the Life of" titles included.
Product example 2
Purple Bloom Heart Funeral Welcome Sign — includes a beautiful heart shaped photo collage with space for 15 photos.
Product example 3 
Sky Funeral Welcome Sign — a blue sky design often chosen for a father, husband, or grandfather, with space for a single large photo. A warm option when one portrait says it all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add my own wording instead of using a title like "In Loving Memory"?
Yes. Our templates include ready-made titles, but they're editable images that can be moved, deleted, or replaced with your own wording if you'd prefer something different.
How much text should I include on a welcome sign?
Less is generally better. A title, name, dates, and maybe one short line is usually enough. Guests read the sign briefly as they arrive, so it doesn't need to tell the whole story.
Should the wording match my funeral program?
It doesn't have to, but keeping the title consistent across your welcome sign, program, and other stationery gives the service a cohesive, put-together feel.
What size text should I use for a large welcome sign?
For a 24 x 36 inch sign, aim for the title and name to be large enough to read easily from 6 to 8 feet away. For example, if using Times New Roman font, about 160 font size would be suitable for the name and 72 for the dates.
Related reading: 5 Funeral Welcome Signs · How to Make a Funeral Welcome Sign in PowerPoint · Funeral Program Wording Examples
