Losing a loved one is a traumatic experience. Many times, we struggle with putting our feelings into words. Instead, our inner self acts out in turmoil. We might experience a flood of conflicting emotions which feel out of our control.

Following the loss of a loved one, reading quotes about grief can provide comfort. Grief quotes are often able to express inner feelings in a clear, often poetic way. Let’s explore some quotes about missing someone which may provide a guiding voice in a time of memorial.

Thomas Campbell

“To Live in Hearts We Leave Behind is Not to Die.”

The words of Campbell, a Scottish poet, are brief but filled with significance. He’s suggesting that our impact on the world extends beyond the life of our physical body. Memories which live on in the minds and hearts of our loved ones allow us to exist in a type of immortality.

J.M. Barrie

“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.”

This quite from the creator of Peter Pan tells us that nothing is truly gone as long as we can remember it existing. Even though roses don’t bloom in the cold of December, we can look back on our memories of them from earlier in the year.

Likewise, as long as we remember our loved ones who have passed away, their spirit remains with us always.

Stephen Hawking

“Life would be traffic if it weren’t funny.”

The period immediately following a death certainly doesn’t feel fun or funny. But astrophysicist Hawking is reminding us that although life can be sad, it’s also a lot of fun. The joyful moments shared with a loved one should be treasured and remembered even after the person has passed on.

Shel Silverstein

“There are no happy endings. Endings are the saddest part. So just give me a happy middle. And a very happy start.”

The acclaimed poet and songwriter Shel Silverstein clearly doesn’t care for endings. This quote reminds us that endings are almost never happy. But just because a life ends doesn’t mean it’s not worth living. In fact, the vast majority of life can be happy and fulfilling. Try not to let the end of a life define it entirely.

 

Mitch Albom

“Have you ever lost someone you love and wanted one more conversation, one more chance to make up for the time when you thought they would be here forever? If so, then you know you can go your whole life collecting days, and none will outweigh the one you wish you had back.”

The Tuesday with Morrie author certainly knows quite a bit about loss. His quote reminds us to enjoy each moment with our loved ones. Also, the quote reminds us that, no matter how much time we spend with our loved ones, it’ll probably never feel like enough once they’re gone. Thinking that you didn’t have enough time with someone is perfectly normal.

Ray Bradbury

“Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at the tree or that flower you planted, you’re there.”

Legendary author Bradbury is describing the importance of leaving behind a legacy. When you leave behind something tangible, others will have an easier time remembering your life. Enriching the world in some way can often help people find comfort and peace with their own mortality.

C.S. Lewis

“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.”

Fear is at the heart of many feelings of grief. Fear of being unable to function without the person in life. Fear of your own mortality. Beyond all the sadness and anger of fear, many people find their emotions are rooted in fear.

Acclaimed writer C.S. Lewis reminds us that feeling afraid is a perfectly natural response when a loved one dies. Identifying the specifics of your fear can help you deal with your grief in a healthy way.

Jewish Proverb

“What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul.”

Tears will likely arrive at seemingly random times following the death of someone who was close to you. This proverb reveals the benefits of tears. Releasing this pent-up sadness is good for your emotions and even your physical body. If you feel the need to cry, don’t hold back. Your body is trying to tell you something.

David Levithan

“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.”

Not all grief is personal. Sometimes we hear about the death of someone we’ve never met, and that death can affect us greatly. This feeling can be intense. The good news is that this feeling also helps us connected to the larger world. Even just one death has reverberations which echo throughout the universe.

John Taylor

“While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil.”

Nobody truly knows what happens after we die. But the idea that we’ll meet our loved ones again is certainly comforting. This quote has a deeper meaning, too. Death might be just the start of a wonderful adventure. When grieving, don’t forget about the possibility that your loved one is truly in a better place.

Debbie Ford

“It would be impossible to estimate how much time and energy we invest in trying to fix, change and deny our emotions – especially the ones that shake us at our very core, like hurt, jealousy, loneliness, shame, rage and grief.”

Grief is a difficult process, but also a necessary one. This quote from self-help guru and author Debbie Ford teaches us not to run from the feelings of grief. Denying your grief will only bury those feelings for a short amount of time, but the feelings will eventually return stronger than ever before.

Instead, acknowledge your grief. There’s no shame in feeling sadness, and attempting to run from your grief will typically only prolong its duration.

Patti Davis

“I’m part of the tribe who have said goodbye to one parent and are feeling a sense of responsibility for the one who remains – in my case, my mother. How do I make her time smoother, happier? How do I try to ease her, a widow, away from the dark well of grief without dishonoring the necessity of that grief?”

The daughter of Ronald and Nancy Reagan is discussing how the effects of grief can ripple through an entire family. As you mourn, be sure to stay connected to those who remain. Don’t let your grief prevent you from caring for those around you.

Missing You Meme

These popular memes depict animals with their arms spread wide along with the caption “I miss you this much!” Not every quote about grief needs to be profound. Sometimes simple “missing someone” quotes are the best way to express yourself.

Conclusion

These grief quotes provide comfort by showing us we are not alone. To be human is to experience loss. But beyond this loss is a connection to others. Quotes about missing someone help remind us that grief is an experience shared by basically everyone. This can provide comfort whenever your grief makes you feel alone in the world.

What grief quotes have you found helpful? Post your most meaningful grieving quotes in the comments below so that others can read them.