The loss of a military veteran brings a quiet reverence, as their legacy of bravery and sacrifice is woven into every flag raised and every memory shared, and a funeral program can become a cherished way to celebrate that service while offering solace to those who gather to pay their respects. A quote can capture the essence of their courage, honor, and dedication, while also providing words of comfort to ease the heavy hearts left behind. At Noted and Charmed, there are over 200 Canva-editable funeral program templates to help craft a memorial that feels deeply personal.
This post shares 20 quotes for a military veteran’s funeral program—ranging from short to longer—to pay tribute to their service and bring a gentle comfort in the midst of such a profound loss. These words can help reflect the honor of their sacrifice while soothing the sorrow of their absence.
Why Add a Quote to a Military Veteran’s Funeral Program?
When grief feels too heavy to express, a quote can speak for the heart, bringing a little peace and a sense of connection to a veteran’s legacy of service. A quote can reflect their bravery, their commitment, and the peace they’ve earned, while also offering comfort to those who mourn, making the program a true celebration of their sacrifice and a source of solace. It’s a gentle way to turn a memorial keepsake into something that can be cherished, a reminder of their honor and a balm for the heart that remains long after the service.
20 Quotes for a Military Veteran’s Funeral Program
These quotes—ranging from short to longer—were chosen to offer comfort for a military veteran’s memorial, focusing on duty, courage, eternal peace, and words of solace:
1. “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. May their sacrifice bring peace to those they loved.” — Joseph Campbell
2. “The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. Rest now in eternal peace.” — Douglas MacArthur
3. “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. Their bravery lives on, a comfort to us all.” — Elmer Davis
4. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. May their faith guide us through this sorrow.” — 2 Timothy 4:7
5. “The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men. Let their courage be our strength in this time of grief.” — Minot J. Savage
6. “We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us. May their vigilance bring us peace in their absence.” — Winston Churchill
7. “Duty, honor, country—those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be. Their duty is done; may we find solace in their honor.” — Douglas MacArthur
8. “The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example. May their example guide us through this loss.” — Benjamin Disraeli
9. “Freedom is never free. Their sacrifice has paid for our freedom; may we find comfort in knowing they rest in peace.” — Unknown
10. “A soldier doesn’t fight because he hates what’s in front of him, but because he loves what’s behind him. Their love endures, a comfort to us all.” — G.K. Chesterton
11. “In valor there is hope. May their valor bring hope to hearts that mourn their loss.” — Tacitus
12. “The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. Their payment is our freedom; may we find peace in their eternal rest.” — John F. Kennedy
13. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity to act despite it. Their courage lives on, a beacon of comfort in our sorrow.” — Unknown
14. “Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They’re just braver five minutes longer. May their bravery comfort us in this time of grief.” — Ronald Reagan
15. “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it; it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it. May their breath bring us peace.” — Unknown
16. “The soldier’s heart, the soldier’s spirit, the soldier’s soul, are everything. Their spirit shines on, a light to guide us through this darkness.” — George S. Patton
17. “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.
Their service reminds us to be grateful, even as we mourn.” — Cynthia Ozick
18. “A true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him. Their love remains, a comfort in our loss.” — Unknown
19. “In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it. Their love for country comforts us as we honor their memory.” — Barack Obama
20. “Their sacrifice was great, but their legacy is greater. May their legacy bring peace to those who hold them dear.” — Unknown How to Add a Quote to a Funeral Program
Adding one of these quotes to a funeral program is really simple with Canva:
- Pick a template from Noted and Charmed—they’re all Canva-editable.
- Open it up in Canva and look for a spot where a quote fits (or add a new text box by clicking “Text” on the sidebar).
- Copy and paste the quote that feels right, play with the font (something like “Lora” gives a soft, gentle vibe), and line it up so it looks just right.
- If the quote’s over an image, tweak the transparency (look for the chess pattern icon) to make the text easier to read—lowering the image opacity to around 30% usually works well.
- When it’s ready, download it as a PDF for printing or a PNG for sharing digitally, and it’s all set for the service.
Create a Special Program with Noted and Charmed
A quote can make a funeral program feel like a loving salute to a veteran’s service while offering words of comfort, and Noted and Charmed is here to help make that happen. There are over 200 funeral program templates to choose from, like the Military & Patriot Programs for a veteran’s memorial, or Pastels, Watercolor, and Floral Framed Programs for a softer touch. They’re all super easy to edit in Canva, and many come with a bonus digital e-invite for virtual services. Head over to the Etsy shop to find a template that feels right, and let’s create a memorial keepsake that celebrates that legacy of service while bringing comfort to those who mourn. If there’s a special request, help is always here—just reach out.
A Companion in Crafting Personal Memorials