50 Inspirational Quotes to Comfort You After the Death of a Best Friend

"The death of a friend is equivalent to the loss of a limb."

- German Proverb

"The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not 'get over' the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to."

- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

"Grief is a normal and natural response to loss. It is originally an unlearned feeling process. It is a reaction to change: life-altering change. Those who grieve are not weak; they are strong people with an overabundance of sensitivity and humanity in facing an overwhelming situation."

- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone." Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me -- not in her. And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying..."

- Henry van Dyke

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal."

- Irish proverb

"To lose a friend is the greatest of all losses."

- Cicero

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

- Thomas Campbell

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."

- From a headstone in Ireland

"Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there; I did not die."

- Mary Elizabeth Frye

"When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety. When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear. When great souls die, the air around us becomes light, rare, sterile. We breathe, briefly. Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity. Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examines, gnaws on kind words unsaid, promised walks never taken. Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us. Our souls, dependent upon their nurture, now shrink, wizened. Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance, fall away. We are not so much maddened as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of dark, cold caves. And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed."

- Maya Angelou

"Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad."

- Christina Rossetti

"He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man."

- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us."

- Helen Keller

"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come."

- Rabindranath Tagore

"No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. The death of a beloved is an amputation."

- C.S. Eliot

"Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it."

- Haruki Murakami

"Though nothing can bring back the hour, Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower, We will grieve not, rather find, Strength in what remains behind."

- William Wordsworth

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

- A.A. Milne

"The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares."

- Henri Nouwen

"Grief changes shape, but it never ends."

- Keanu Reeves

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

- Psalm 34:18

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

- Matthew 5:4

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

- Revelation 21:4

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

- Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."

- Psalm 116:15

"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace."

- Psalm 29:11

"Nobody ever gets over losses like that. It's just part of your broken heart forever."

- Cheryl Strayed

"The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart."

- Helen Keller

"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever."

- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

"When he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will fall in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun."

- William Shakespeare

"In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing."

- Robert G. Ingersoll

"Grief does not change you, it reveals you."

- John Green

"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time."

- Mark Twain

"Death is a challenge. It tells us not to waste time... It says, 'Now is the time to do what you will.'"

- Leo Buscaglia

"Perhaps they are not stars, but openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy."

- The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"Don't grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form."

- Rumi

"A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you."

- Elbert Hubbard

"There is no friend like an old friend who has shared our morning days, no greeting like his welcome, no homage like his praise."

- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

"The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and for deeds left undone."

- Harriet Beecher Stowe

"There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning."

- Thornton Wilder

"Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great."

- Roger de Rabutin

"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live."

- Norman Cousins

"It's sad when someone you know becomes someone you knew."

- Henry Rollins

"The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That's the way life is."

- Hugh Laurie

"Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives."

- Alan Sachs

"Absence is to love as wind is to fire; it fans the flame, it extinguishes the lamp."

- Antoine Rivarol

"What is lovely never dies. But passes into other loveliness."

- Thomas Bailey Aldrich

"So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."

- William Shakespeare

"There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in times of misery."

- Aeschylus

"No matter how much suffering you went through, you never wanted to let go of those memories."

- Haruki Murakami

"Death —the last sleep? No, it is the final awakening."

- Walter Scott

"It is not length of life, but depth of life."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."

- J.K. Rowling

"Death is only a horizon. And a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight."

- Richard Dehmel

"Death may be the greatest of all human blessings."

- Socrates

"Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another."

- Ernest Hemingway

"You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing."

- E.B. White

"What is essential is invisible to the eye."

- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything."

- Muhammad Ali

"Death departing from men receives the greatest praise for vanquishing them; but when he stays long with them, they blame him because he did not go sooner."

- Sophocles

"We’ll be friends forever, won’t we, Pooh?’ asked Piglet. ‘Even longer,’ Pooh answered."

- Winnie the Pooh

"Some people are so important to you, they become a part of you."

- Phoebe Buffay, Friends

"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

- Anais Nin

"Grief is the price we pay for love."

- Queen Elizabeth II

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings."

- Eric Hoffer

"I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter."

- Winston Churchill

"Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that death cannot touch."

- Jack Thorne

"When beggars die, there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes."

- William Shakespeare

"Oh I'm in pieces, it's tearing me up, but I know, a heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved, so I'll sing hallelujah."

- Ed Sheeran

"It ain't fair you died too young, like a story that had just begun. But death tore the pages all away. God knows how I miss you."

- Kenny Chesney

"It's been a long day without you, my friend and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again."

- Wiz Khalifa

"Funny how the good ones go, too soon, but the good Lord knows the reasons why, I guess. Sometimes the greater plan is kinda hard to understand, right now it don't make sense. I can't make it all make sense."

- Luke Bryan

"I'm going to miss that smile, I'm going to miss you my friend. Even though it hurts the way it ended up, I'd do it all again. So play it sweet in heaven, cause that's right where you want to be. I'm not cryin' cause I feel so sorry for you, I am cryin' for me."

- Toby Keith

"Tell me, what does it look like in heaven? Is it peaceful? Is it free like they say? Does the sun shine bright forever? Have your fears and your pain gone away? 'Cause here on Earth it feels like everything good is missing since you left and here on Earth, everything's different. There's an emptiness. Oh-oh, I, I hope you're dancing in the sky and I hope you're singing in the angel's choir and I hope the angels know what they have. I'll bet it's so nice up in Heaven since you arrived."

- Dani and Lizzy

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal."

- Irish proverb

"You can’t take friends for granted."

- The Breakfast Club

"Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes."

- Henry David Thoreau

"There is no greater sorrow than to recall happiness in times of misery."

- Dante Alighieri

"Sometimes, when one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated."

- Alphonse de Lamartine

"Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened."

- Dr. Seuss

"There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart."

- Mahatma Gandhi

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

"Grief is a journey that leaves us changed forever. So don't run from it or hide from it. Embrace it and let it change you."

- Unknown

"There are in every person's life certain sorrows, losses, and disappointments which they must never surrender too. These unreturned loves, these bad breaks and wrong turns, these defeats—the heartbreaks that we all incur—make for the richness of our lives."

- Unknown

"When you lose someone you love, you gain an angel you know."

- Unknown

"When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure."

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

"We have known each other from time everlasting. You were a friend before life began. We shall know one another again in heaven."

- Unknown

"It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone."

"We may have lost you in presence, but your love and wisdom continue to guide us."

"Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts."

"Your time on earth was cut short, but your impact was timeless."

"You were more than a friend, you were family. Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled."

"You touched our lives in countless ways. Your spirit remains ever comforting, ever inspiring."

"You were a beacon of light in our lives, and your glow will forever remain in our hearts."

"Though we can't see you, we feel your presence. Though we can't touch you, we are held by your love."

"The world may change from year to year, our lives from day to day, but the memory and impact of a good friend never fade away."

"The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not 'get over' the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it."

"To live in hearts, we leave behind is not to die."

"Your spirit will always be with us, your memories we hold close to our hearts."

"Your laughter was contagious, your kindness was boundless. You will forever be missed."

"In our hearts, you will always stay loved and remembered every day."

"We remember your smile, your voice, your laughter. These memories will forever be cherished."

"Your friendship was a blessing, and we miss you dearly."

"A friend like you is a treasure. We remember you with love today and always."

"You were someone who understood even the unsaid parts of us. Your memory lives on."

"Your courage and strength were an inspiration to all of us."

"You had a heart of gold and a soul full of compassion. We miss you beyond words."

"In your honor, we promise to live, laugh, and love, just as you did."

"Your legacy of love, laughter, and friendship will never fade."

"We hold onto the love you gave, the joy you brought, and the ways you made us smile."

"A friend's love is never lost. It lives on in our hearts and memories."

"Your friendship was an adventure filled with laughter, joy, and love. You are deeply missed."

"You were a friend who stood by us in our times of need. We will forever remember your kindness."

"In the garden of memories, we meet every day."

"When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."

"In memory of a friend who brought joy, shared laughter, and left an indelible mark in our hearts."

"The best teachers teach from the heart, not from a book. You will forever be remembered for your kindness and dedication."

"Your passion for teaching will forever be remembered in the lessons you gave us. Rest in peace, respected teacher."

"Your spirit will still live within me. You are not gone for good."

"Your laughter and smile will always be remembered, for they brought sunshine into our lives."

"May you find peace and comfort in the arms of angels."

"The bond and love we shared can never be broken, even though you’re no longer here. You will always be my dear sibling."

"You may be gone now, but I know your soul will always be here. Always live, in my mind."

"In the journey of life, you left kindness and love. Memories of you will always stay with us."

"The people we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Yes, they may be unseen and unheard. But remember, they always be near, missed dearly, and always be loved greatly."

"We’ll meet in the garden of memories. Rest in love, dear friend. You will always be missed dearly."

"Goodbyes are not the end, it won’t be eternal. Rather, it means I’ll miss you, and we will surely meet again later."

"No matter what, you’ll always be remembered. Hope you’ll be happier with God by your side."

"Our friendship was a blessing, and the memory of you will never fade. You are loved, and always be dearly missed."

"Heartstrings always connect those we cherish, no matter where they are now."

"Heaven should have visiting hours. They are now gone from our sight but never from our hearts."

"He hasn’t died. He’s living, forever in our hearts. His soul is near, always surrounds you."

"You will always be missed so much. But we know that you’re in good hands now, So, rest peacefully, and let the angels take care of you."

"May you find a peaceful rest among the angels. Don’t worry about anything else now."

"Dad will always be with his children, no matter where they are now. He may be surrounded by angels, but please know that he is still watching over us."

"A dad’s guiding hand will always remain on your shoulder. So, remember that you are always guided, even though you can’t see him anymore."

"Thank you for the love you’ve given me. I know your love is whole, no matter how many times divided."

"Though we miss you every day, we know you are always with us now."

"A mommy’s love is always with her children. Losing her leaves the deepest scars in the heart. But her caring, goodness, and wisdom will always be remembered. May that love bring you eternal peace."

"Those we love dearly won’t go away; they are still here, every single day. Always near, even though they are now can’t be seen; still loved, and still missed."

"You were a bright light in our lives, and it can never be replaced. So, rest peacefully now, dear brother. Remember, you won’t be replaced, by anyone else, no matter who he is."

"Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love."

"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy."

"Your classroom was a place for growth, where you encouraged us to reach for the distant, bright stars. Rest peacefully, dear educator."

"You were a beacon of inspiration and knowledge. Your legacy will live on in all those you taught."

"Thank you for believing in us, teacher. We learned a lot from you. Your impact on our lives is immeasurable. Rest in paradise, dear teacher."

"In loving memory of a beloved sibling who will be forever in our hearts."

"Your hands can’t be touched anymore, and your smile can’t be seen. They are gone, but we still have memories to hold on, are we? We lived a great life. May your soul rest in peace."

"Your presence will always be missed, every day. Loving you always, and we never forget you."

"Those we love won’t go far away; yes, they are no longer here, but they are always near. They are always here, guiding us everywhere we go."

"It’s okay, even though we are apart now. It’s only your body that goes, but your soul will always be here, with us."

"You are loved beyond measure. Your memories won’t ever fade. Don’t worry, and let the angels’ wings take you to a better place."

"We will always carry your love, everywhere we go, as long as we’re here in the world. Rest peacefully, dear sibling."

"Your spirit and laughter will live on in our memories, bringing us comfort until we meet again."

"You taught me everything about the universe, and the universe took you away eternally. May The Almighty grant you a good rest."

"In your passing, we mourn a mentor. We also mourn a friend and a source of wisdom. May your spirit find eternal peace."

"In your teachings, your light continues to shine brightly in our hearts. Farewell, dear mentor."

"Thank you for all the great lessons you’ve taught. The knowledge and compassion you gave will live on in the lives you touched."

"The impact of a great teacher is felt long after the end of the lesson. Thank you for sharing us well, teacher. Rest well."

"You taught us more than subjects; you taught us how to embrace knowledge and cherish wisdom. Rest peacefully, dear teacher."

"Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure."

- Unknown

"The bond between friends cannot be broken, even in death."

- Unknown

"Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day."

- Unknown