Headstone Quotes About Forgiveness

Forgiveness is at the heart of many faiths and many families. These lines suit someone known for a forgiving heart, a person of deep faith — or a family seeking peace after a difficult story.

Short epitaphs

• Forgiven and at peace.
• She forgave freely and loved deeply.
• Mercy and peace.
• All is forgiven, all is love.
• At peace with God and all.
• Grace, mercy and peace.

Scripture

• Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. (Ephesians 4:32)
• Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)
• Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (Matthew 6:12)
• As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)

Public-domain poetry and prose

• To err is human, to forgive divine. (Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, 1711)

Choosing gently

Forgiveness lines can carry layered meaning in a family. Before engraving, make sure everyone is comfortable with the wording — a line that brings peace to one relative may reopen hurt for another. See when family disagrees about a headstone.

Psalm 103:12

"As far as the east is from the west" is a much-loved verse of mercy and new beginnings, and pairs well with a rising sun or a cross.

Designs to pair

• An olive branch — see olive branch meaning.
• A dove — see dove meaning.
• A cross with light rays.
• Clasped hands — see clasped hands meaning.

A note on sources

Quotations here are scripture (King James Version) or works in the public domain, alongside original lines you're free to use. If you choose another quotation, check who wrote it and whether it is still under copyright before it is engraved.

Key Takeaways

• Forgiveness lines suit forgiving hearts and faith.
• Ephesians 4:32 is a classic verse.
• Pope's "to forgive divine" is public domain.
• Make sure the whole family is comfortable with the wording.

Next Step

See headstone quotes about peace and about grace.