Touching Tributes to a Mom Who Passed Away

Poems, quotes, and other ways to honor your mother’s memory

Co-authored by Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: September 26, 2025 Fact Checked

Eulogy Tributes

|

Short Tributes

|

Poems

|

Quotes

|

Christian Tributes

|

Mother-in-Law Tributes

|

Writing a Eulogy

|

Additional Tributes

It’s hard to lose your mother, and often challenging to write a eulogy that is worthy of her. If you’re struggling, read on for our thoughtful guide to writing tributes to a mother who passed away. We’ve included many choices you can use in a eulogy or for a memorial tribute. They include eulogy templates, poems for funerals, quotes, and more that honor what a mother means in your life. We’ve also spoken to therapists and grief counselors about how to write a eulogy, the best ways to pay tribute to your mom, and strategies for dealing with grief.

Example Tribute to a Mother Who Passed Away

Therapist Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP, says there isn’t one way to write a eulogy, as long as you speak from the heart. For instance: “I miss you so much and will never forget our time together. I know we will see each other again one day. I will cherish all of our memories. I love you, Mom.”

Section 1 of 8:

Emotional Eulogy Tributes to a Mother Who Passed Away

We all dream of having a mother who is kind, loving, and genuine. [Name] was exactly that type of mother. She guided us through years and years and years of hardship, difficulty, joy, and achievement. Our mother was the foundation of our family, and without her, it’s difficult to know what to do or what comes next.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Meet the wikiHow Experts

Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP, is a clinical therapist specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, and interpersonal relationships.

Michaela Hudson is a grief counselor known for her heart-centered approach to healing and aftercare.

Ken Breniman, LCSW, C-IAYT, is a grief therapist with over 15 years of experience providing clinical support and community workshops.

Joseph Phillips, MSW, is a clinical therapist who specializes in relationship and attachment therapy and treats anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use.

Moira Khan is a loss and resilience specialist and grief educator based in Madrid, Spain. Moira founded GriefSpan in 2024, specializing in grief, loss, growth and resilience and has helped grieving individuals all over the world.
2
My mother always supported me in everything that I did, and she was my biggest cheerleader. I know that she is up there looking down on me now, watching over me and guiding me as I navigate through life without her by my side. I know that she lives on in the memories that I have and the love and support that she gave me throughout my life. She was strong, kind, and warmhearted, and I will always treasure the time we spent together. I am so grateful to have had such a wonderful mom, and I will cherish all of the amazing memories we have of her until we meet again someday.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Mom had a way of making everyone feel special. She wasn’t just my mother; she was my guide, my confidant, and my biggest cheerleader. Her love was the foundation of our family, and her kindness left a mark on everyone she met. While her absence leaves a hole in our hearts, her legacy of love, strength, and generosity will continue to inspire us every day. I will carry her lessons with me always, and I’m so grateful for the gift of being her child.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
How do you capture the essence of a mother in just a few words? Mom was a light in the darkest moments, a comforting hand when life was tough, and a voice of wisdom that guided us through. She taught us to love deeply, laugh often, and never take a single moment for granted. Though she’s no longer here, her spirit is in every sunrise, every smile, and every act of kindness. Thank you, Mom, for being our everything.^{[4]
X
Research source}
5
My mom was truly one of a kind—she could light up a room with her laughter and calm a storm with her hug. She had the uncanny ability to turn even the most mundane moments into cherished memories, like our late-night snack adventures or her hilarious commentary during family game nights. While it’s hard to imagine life without her, I know she’d want us to smile, share stories, and keep her humor alive. Mom, you’ll always be the heart of our family.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Section 2 of 8:

Short Tributes to a Mother Who Passed Away

Be sincere in a few powerful words or phrases. Short tributes can be just as helpful to yourself and others when mourning the death of a parent. When that parent is your mother, you may feel even more lost without her maternal guidance. Sharing these short, thoughtful statements is a way to help yourself and others cope with grief and come together through the love you shared for the woman you knew as your mom.
- I’ll always carry your love in my heart, Mom.
- Mom, the gift of your love is something I'll cherish forever.
- I still feel your love as it guides me every day.
- You’re still here as long as you live in my heart.
- I wish you were still here to share any milestones with me, Mom.
- Mom: Thank you for your strength, wisdom, and love.
- I’m so thankful for every sacrifice you made for us.
- Your life was a blessing, and I’m so glad I was your child.
- You’ll always be with me, Mom.
- I take comfort in knowing you're watching over me, Mom.

Section 3 of 8:

Tribute Poems to a Mother Who Passed Away

“If Roses Grow in Heaven” by Dolores M. Garcia
If roses grow in heaven,
Lord, please pick a bunch for me,
Place them in my Mother’s arms
and tell her they’re from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
but there’s an ache within my heart
that will never go away.
2
“In Memory of My Mother” by Patrick Kavanagh
I do not think of you lying in the wet clay
Of a Monaghan graveyard; I see
You walking down a lane among the poplars
On your way to the station, or happily
Going to second Mass on a summer Sunday–
You meet me and you say:
‘Don’t forget to see about the cattle–‘
Among your earthiest words the angels stray.
And I think of you walking along a headland
Of green oats in June,
So full of repose, so rich with life–
And I see us meeting at the end of a town
On a fair day by accident, after
The bargains are all made and we can walk
Together through the shops and stalls and markets
Free in the oriental streets of thought.
O you are not lying in the wet clay,
For it is harvest evening now and we
Are piling up the ricks against the moonlight
And you smile up at us—eternally.
3
“We Had a Wonderful Mother” by Unknown Author
We had a wonderful mother,
One who never really grew old;
Her smile was made of sunshine,
And her heart was solid gold;
Her eyes were as bright as shining stars,
And in her cheeks fair roses you see.
We had a wonderful mother,
And that’s the way it will always be.
But take heed, because
She’s still keeping an eye on all of us,
So let’s make sure
She will like what she sees.
4
“Away” by James Whitcomb Riley
I cannot say and I will not say
That she is dead, she is just away.
With a cheery smile and a wave of hand
She has wandered into an unknown land;
And left us dreaming how very fair
Its needs must be, since she lingers there.
And you-oh you, who the wildest yearn
From the old-time step and the glad return-
Think of her faring on, as dear
In the love of there, as the love of here
Think of her still the same way, I say;
She is not dead, she is just away.
5
“Mother’s Hands” by Marian Jones
Hands that rocked the cradle
From the moment of my birth,
Their tender touch remembered
By those still here on Earth. Soft as silk those hands
That taught me how to pray,
Banishing childhood fears;
They soothed each one away.
When I grew much older
And troubles came my way,
Those hands caressing mine
Did more than words could say.
Mother’s hands were gentle,
They’re missed so very much,
I’d give the world to feel once more
Their warm and tender touch.
Those hands were full of comfort
Now they lie at rest,
But memories hold them close
To the ones they served the best.^{[6]
X
Research source}
6
“When God Thought of Mother” by Henry Ward Beecher
When God thought of mother,
He must have laughed with satisfaction,
and framed it quickly –
so rich, so deep, so divine,
so full of soul, power, and beauty,
as the conception.
7
“A Mother’s Crown” by Unknown
Heaven lit up with a mighty presence,
as the Angels all looked down.
Today the Lord was placing the jewels
Into my mother’s crown.
8
“Mom and Me” by Unknown
Best friends forever, Mom and me
picking flowers and climbing trees.
a shoulder to cry on, secrets to share
Warm hearts and hands that really care.
9
“Richer Than Gold” by Strickland Gillilan
You may have tangible wealth untold
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold
Richer than I you can never be
I had a mother who read to me.
10
“Wonderful Mother” by Patrick O’Reilly
God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine.
And He moulded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.^{[7]
X
Research source}

EXPERT TIP

Moira Khan
Grief Coach and Educator
Moira Khan is a loss and resilience specialist and grief educator based in Madrid, Spain. Moira founded GriefSpan in 2024, specializing in grief, loss, growth and resilience and has helped grieving individuals all over the world. She has been featured in the HuffPost, Get Griefy Magazine, and on several podcasts including Grief + Light, Heroes in Grief, Growing Up Grieving, life with grief, and more. Moira has a Grief Education Certificate from Grief.com and believes that grief education and coaching enables grievers to process their grief in a safe space while learning the best practices and tools to navigate their grief journey.

Moira Khan
Grief Coach and Educator

You can let someone else speak the words for you. Poems are sometimes a nice way to not put your foot in it. And there's nothing wrong with using ChatGPT to help you find the right words. I'd rather someone did that than say something insensitive.

Section 4 of 8:

Tribute Quotes to a Mother Who Passed Away

Find a meaningful quote to inspire you. When at the beginning of a grieving journey, it can be a very long time before you get over the death of someone you love. Connecting to a famous quote about grief, loss, or how important mothers are is one way to hold onto something meaningful. Use a quote in your eulogy and memorial tributes, or as a way to mark the anniversary of her passing.
- Losing a mother doesn’t happen in a moment. It takes years to appreciate the impact of what’s gone. — Lisa-Jo Baker
- You are gone, but thank you for all these soft, sweet things you left behind. In my home, in my head, and in my heart. — Nikita Gill
- There is something about losing a mother that is permanent and inexpressible—a wound that will never quite heal. — Susan Wiggs
- My mother is a never-ending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words, but I always remember the tune. — Graycie Harmon
- A mom's hug lasts long after she lets go. — Unknown
- I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know. — Mitch Albom
- All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. — Abraham Lincoln
- A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest. — Irish Proverb
- Motherhood: All love begins and ends there. — Robert Browning
- I truly never learned what the words 'I miss you’ were until I reached for my mom’s hand, and it wasn’t there. — Unknown

Section 5 of 8:

Christian Tributes to a Mother Who Passed Away

Find solace in biblical verses that pay tribute to your mother. The following verses from the Bible are ideal for those who cherish faith not only in their own lives, but also when dealing with grief over the loss of a mother. These verses are focused on strength, courage, and the belief that God will take care of you when you’re in mourning. They can be used in a eulogy or as part of a larger memorial you create.
- Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. — Matthew 5:4
- Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. — John 14:27
- Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. — Isaiah 41:10^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. — Revelation 21:4
- As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted over Jerusalem. — Isaiah 66:13

Section 6 of 8:

Honoring a Mother-in-Law Who Passed Away

Demonstrate how important your mother-in-law was to you. Just because she isn’t a blood relation doesn’t mean you don’t treasure the beautiful relationship you shared with your mother-in-law. Speak about how her spirit will live on, and remind others about what made her a special person whom you’ll always remember fondly.
- Rest in peace, dear mother-in-law. Thank you for welcoming me into your family with such kindness. Your warmth and strength will always be remembered.
- I'm grateful for the love you gave so freely. You leave behind a legacy of care and grace that I will hold close, always.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- Although you are gone, I see you every day in my [husband/wife] and our children… I’m so grateful that you were my mother-in-law.
- I’m so lucky to have met your [son/daughter] and had the chance to meet you and join your family. Thank you for all the love I felt over the years. I miss you a lot.
- I am so proud and so honored to have called you mom, dearest mother-in-law. You’re one of the strongest women I've ever known.

Section 7 of 8:

How to Write a Eulogy to Your Mother for a Funeral

1
Speak from the heart. When writing a eulogy, be honest, open, and authentic about how important your mother is to you. Grief counselor Michaela Hudson recommends that you “honor your loved one’s life the way you want to.” She adds that it’s a chance to “get things off your chest that you just want to say that you didn't get a chance to say.”^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Michaela Hudson
Grief Counselor

Expert Interview} Give specific examples along the way, like the following:^{[11]
X
Research source}
- I could always depend on my mom anytime I needed her support.
- My mom was my personal hero from day one.
- I count my mom as someone I strive to be like.
2
Acknowledge the loss. Let others listening know how much you miss your mom and how losing her has affected you. It’s important to let others share in your grief, so you can properly honor her in your eulogy. Some examples are ahead:
- The pain I’ve felt in losing my mom is beyond words.
- Mourning my mom’s passing is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.
- I miss you so much, Mom.
3
Recall personal memories. Tell a short story or speak about a memory of your mother that you’ll never forget. When possible, speak to her directly to help other mourners feel like they’re there with you. Grief coach and educator Moira Khan recommends recalling personal memories of her, for instance: "'Your mom was so beautiful at sewing.... I've still got one of the things she gave me that she sewed....' [T]hose are the things that really hit your heart, but make you feel good and not sad and not offended."^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Moira Khan
Grief Coach and Educator

Expert Interview} Here are some more examples:
- I’ll never forget seeing her face in the crowd when I read at my first poetry reading.
- I remember her kneeling to bandage my cut knee. Her smile gave me so much hope.
- I’ll always associate the smell of the roses with my mom teaching me how to garden.
4
Mention the impact she had. Your eulogy can express the positive effect your mom had on your life. Whether focused on being a good person, a strong woman, or a caring parent, your words can share with other mourners how important she was to you, as a child and now. Some examples are ahead:
- My mom taught me to be a self-reliant, independent woman.
- I learned how to be kind to others from my mom.
- Few people in my life taught me how to stand up for myself like my mother did.
5
Honor her legacy with a promise. End your eulogy by speaking to your mom in spirit to let her know that you’ll always remember her. Recognize the many lessons she taught you and make an oath that you’ll live by her example. Promise her that you will always honor her life and take memories of her with you wherever you go. More examples follow here:
- Your love and lessons will always live on in me, Mom.
- My biggest goal in life will continue to be making you proud of me.
- I promise to try and be half as great a person as you were every day.

Section 8 of 8:

Other Ways to Honor Your Mother Who Passed Away

1
Create a memorial website. You can do this before the service or afterwards. A memorial website is a web page or social media profile where you invite others to support each other and share memories of your mom. You and others can post photographs and tell stories about your mom. It’s a meaningful way to grieve together while honoring her memory online.
- A memorial website or page can provide a “safe space to be able to discuss the loss, set boundaries with those around you, and have a voice to ask for what you need,” according to Tenzer.^{[13]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
  Therapist
  
  Expert Interview}
2
Adorn the funeral space with your mother's favorite flowers or color. Include floral arrangements made up of different flowers that your mom may have loved; use them for table arrangements, casting sprays, or standing wreaths. It’s also possible to decorate the space with her favorite color, or ask those in attendance to wear this color to pay their respects.
- If she didn’t have a favorite flower, choose one that reflects her best qualities. For example, lilies symbolize renewed innocence of the soul.
- Give each guest a single flower to hold, wear, or press into a book afterward.
3
Hold the memorial service somewhere special to her. If your mother was deeply religious, consider a full church service. Or, hold a memorial service or casting of ashes ceremony in a location that meant something to her, like her favorite beach or hiking trail. If she loved a particular restaurant, you can also have a gathering there after the funeral service.
- Keep in mind that you likely need to ask permission to scatter ashes in any public space.
4
Release butterflies or birds after the service. It’s considered a beautiful symbol for the transformation of the soul after death. Doves are often the chosen birds for funerals, since they represent peace and love. Make sure the process by which you’re having the butterflies or birds released is ethical for the creatures involved.
- Never attempt to release butterflies or birds on your own. Many reputable companies arrange this service professionally.
5
Plant a memorial garden dedicated to your mom. Choose a space in your home or on a patch of land you have legal access to. Let other mourners plant something there as well, or leave a small placard in her honor. Depending on how much of a gardener she is, you may choose to have a garden of green plants, herbs, flowers, or even vegetables.
- Check local cemetery regulations. While it may be possible to plant in-ground at a gravesite, it’s unlikely that you can plant an entire garden there.
6
Display a memorial that honors her. Find a memorial keepsake that reminds you of her that can be personalized with her name or photo. Some examples include plaques, windchimes, or photo frames. Treasure the keepsake by displaying it in your home, so you can be reminded of her memory any time you look at it.
- Another option is to create a small memorial to her that suits who she was. It may simply include a candle, photo, prayer card, or pressed flower. Grief therapist Ken Breniman, LCSW, C-IAYT, states that “something as simple as daily lighting of a candle or adding flowers somewhere in the home acknowledges the person you lost through a daily practice of remembering or celebrating the deceased.”^{[14]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ken Breniman, LCSW, C-IAYT
  Grief Therapist
  
  Expert Interview}
7
Plan an annual trip to one of her favorite spots. To mark the anniversary of your mother’s passing, arrange a trip to her favorite destination that carries fond memories of her. It may be the town where she spent her honeymoon or had an amazing family vacation. It could be as simple as going to the park where she loved to walk every day, or a restaurant where she spent time with family.
- Spending time in her favorite places is a way to preserve happy memories of her. Clinical therapist Joseph Phillips, MSW, suggests that "part of mourning is having memories—especially good memories can help someone kind of move through stages of grief."^{[15]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Joseph Phillips
  Clinical Therapist, MSW
  
  Expert Interview}