One of the questions we hear most from customers is: “What should I write on the ribbon?” It usually comes up at checkout, when the flowers are chosen and only the message is left. And the words matter. They are often the first thing the family reads when your flowers arrive at the wake, and they stay beside the casket for days.
This guide gives you ready-to-use messages for funeral flower ribbons, sashes and cards in the Philippines, in English and Tagalog, plus how to sign them from a family, a group or a company.
How funeral ribbons work in the Philippines
Most funeral stands and wreaths in the Philippines carry a satin ribbon sash that hangs from the bow. It has two tails:
- Left tail: the message, such as “With deepest sympathy”.
- Right tail: who the flowers are from, such as “The Reyes Family”.
A ribbon has room for a short line only. At Funeral Florist PH, each tail fits up to 40 characters, about five to seven words. If you want to say more, choose a laminated A4 card instead, which fits a longer, personal message of up to 300 characters.
Short funeral ribbon messages in English
Each of these fits on one ribbon tail:
- With deepest sympathy
- Our deepest condolences
- In loving memory
- Rest in peace
- Forever in our hearts
- Gone but never forgotten
- With love and prayers
- Until we meet again
- Always loved, never forgotten
- In our hearts forever
- Your memory lives on
- With heartfelt sympathy
- Eternal rest, eternal peace
- We will miss you dearly
- A life beautifully lived
Short funeral ribbon messages in Tagalog
- Taos-pusong pakikiramay
- Nakikiramay kami
- Sumalangit nawa
- Hanggang sa muli
- Kasama ka sa aming panalangin
- Mananatili ka sa aming puso
- Paalam, mahal naming Lola
- Salamat sa pagmamahal mo
- Pahinga ka na, Tatay
- Mahal na mahal ka namin
Tagalog works just as well on cards. You can also mix languages, with a Tagalog message on the left tail and an English signature on the right.
For more Tagalog messages for cards, texts and Facebook posts, see our guide to mensahe ng pakikiramay.
Religious messages
Many Filipino families are Catholic or Christian, and a short prayer on the ribbon is always welcome:
- Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord
- Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord
- May you rest in God’s peace
- In God’s loving arms
- Safe in the arms of Jesus
- Called home to the Lord
- Praying for the family
If you are not sure of the family’s faith, a non-religious line like “In loving memory” or “With deepest sympathy” is always appropriate.
How to sign funeral flowers
The right ribbon tail tells the family who sent the flowers, so make it easy to recognize:
- From one person: your full name, or the name the family knows you by, such as “Tita Marissa”.
- From a couple: “Mr. and Mrs. Jun Cruz” or “Jun and Liza Cruz”.
- From a family: “The Santos Family” or “Pamilya Santos”.
- From children and grandchildren: “Your loving children and apo” or “Mga anak at apo”.
- From a group: “Batch 1998, St. Paul College” or “Your friends from Barangay San Roque”.
- From a company: “Management and Staff, ABC Corporation”. Keep it short enough to fit, and use the name the family will recognize.
Messages by relationship
When the flowers are for someone close to you, a more personal line means a lot. Use the short version for the ribbon and the longer one for a card.
For a mother or grandmother
- Ribbon: Forever our loving Mama
- Card: Thank you for a lifetime of love, Ma. We will carry your kindness with us always. Rest now in God’s peace.
For a father or grandfather
- Ribbon: Rest well, Papa. We love you.
- Card: You worked so hard for all of us, Pa. Rest now. We will make you proud.
For a friend
- Ribbon: Until we meet again, friend
- Card: Thank you for every laugh and every late-night talk. Our barkada will never be the same without you.
For a colleague or the family of a colleague
- Ribbon: With deepest sympathy
- Card: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. From all of us at the office.
For a child or young person
- Ribbon: Forever our little angel
- Card: Your light was short but so bright. You will always be loved and remembered.
Longer card messages
A laminated card sits on the stand and can be read up close. These fit within 300 characters:
- Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. May you find comfort in the love of those around you.
- In loving memory of a life well lived. You will always be in our hearts and prayers.
- We are so sorry for your loss. We hope these flowers bring a little peace to your family during this difficult time.
- With heartfelt condolences from all of us. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
- Thank you for the love and the memories. Rest in peace, until we meet again.
Chinese-Filipino wakes
For Chinese-Filipino families, keep the message simple and formal, such as “With deepest sympathy” or “In loving memory”, and choose a white ribbon. White and yellow flowers are preferred and red is avoided. Customs differ from family to family, so if you are unsure about wording or characters on the ribbon, it is best to ask someone close to the family.
Florist’s tip
Before you pay, read the name of the deceased on the preview once more, slowly. A wrong letter in the name is the ribbon mistake families notice most, and it can’t be changed once the ribbon is printed.
What to avoid on a funeral ribbon
- Misspelled names. Double-check the spelling of the deceased’s name and the family name. A nickname is fine if that is what everyone called them.
- Messages that are too long. A ribbon that is crowded is hard to read from across the room. Move longer words to a card.
- Inside jokes. The ribbon is read by everyone at the wake, including older relatives and the priest.
- Clichés that may hurt, such as “Everything happens for a reason”. Simple words of love and sympathy are always safer.
Writing your message at Funeral Florist PH
When you order any of our funeral stands or wreaths, crosses and heart stands, you choose a ribbon sash or a laminated card at checkout, type your message and see a preview before you pay. The printed ribbon or card is included in the price, and we send you a photo of the flowers once they are set up at the wake.
Not sure which arrangement to choose? Read our guide to bulaklak para sa patay, or browse all funeral flowers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common message on funeral flowers?
“With deepest sympathy” and “In loving memory” are the most common in English. In Tagalog, “Taos-pusong pakikiramay” is the most common.
Do I write my name on the ribbon?
Yes. The right tail of the ribbon shows who the flowers are from, so the family knows who to thank. Use the name they know you by.
Can I write in both English and Tagalog?
Yes. Many families mix both, for example “Taos-pusong pakikiramay” on the left tail and “From the Cruz Family” on the right.
How long can the ribbon message be?
About 40 characters per ribbon tail, or five to seven words. For a longer message, choose a laminated A4 card, which fits up to 300 characters.