About this phrase
“In memory of” is three words, ten letters — 26 morse symbols — the inscription prefix that precedes a name on gravestones, memorial benches, and tribute pieces. Works as a standalone phrase or as a set with a name.
Cultural context
'In memory of' is the more neutral, objective alternative to 'in loving memory' — where 'loving' names the quality of the memory, 'in memory of' simply names the act without a qualifier. This makes it more appropriate for some memorial contexts: institutional memorials (benches, buildings, scholarship funds), multi-person tributes (war memorials), and situations where the grief is more complex than 'loving'. The phrase also has a long history in religious memorial language — 'in memory of' appears in the Eucharistic liturgy ('do this in memory of me') as well as secular memorial use. As a morse piece, it works well as a standalone or as the beginning of a longer inscription that includes a name.
When to gift this phrase
Tribute pieces where a name follows the phrase (encoded or in plain text), institutional memorial contexts, multi-person tributes, and memorial pieces where 'in loving memory' would overstate the complexity of the relationship. Also appropriate as a general grief-support piece when the specific relationship nuance matters.
When this phrase is the wrong fit
For intimate personal memorial pieces — a parent, child, or partner — 'in loving memory' or 'forever in my heart' carry more warmth. Skip for non-memorial contexts. Avoid for casual gifting.
Variations you might prefer
- remembering
- in tribute to
- in honour of
How the morse encodes
'IN MEMORY OF' is a three-word phrase with a strong double-M in 'MEMORY': M (two dashes), E (one dot), M (two dashes) — the paired long-pulse opening creates a slow, deliberate quality that makes the word sound weighty even at faster CW speeds. The final 'OF' (dah-dah-dah / di-di-dah-dit) adds a clean two-letter close.
Most common use cases
- Tribute piece with a name to follow
- Memorial bench or plaque inscription
- Grief keepsake without specifying the deceased
- Multi-person memorial piece
Letter-by-letter breakdown
Here is “In memory of” spelled out one character at a time, so you can copy it by hand, check a tattoo stencil, or space the beads on a bracelet correctly:
| Letter | Morse |
|---|---|
| I | .. |
| N | -. |
| ␣ | / |
| M | -- |
| E | . |
| M | -- |
| O | --- |
| R | .-. |
| Y | -.-- |
| ␣ | / |
| O | --- |
| F | ..-. |
A single space between letters and a slash (/) between words keeps the pattern readable — the most common mistake in engraved and tattooed morse is running the letters together with no gaps.
Five dashes from M into O
The heart of “In memory of” is a long, slow line. Inside “Memory,” the second M gives two dashes and the O that follows gives three, so five dashes fall in a row from M straight into O before R’s dot breaks them. On a memorial piece that unbroken stretch of long beads reads as a deliberate, weighted pause — the visual centre of the inscription, and the single heaviest run in the phrase. A maker laying out a remembrance bracelet or plaque can let that five-dash line anchor the design, with the lighter letters of “In” and “Of” framing it on either side. Even, unhurried spacing suits the sentiment.
The two M's, held apart by E
“Memory” opens on a pair of M’s, but they do not touch. Each M is two dashes, and between them sits a single-dot E, so the word begins dash-dash, dot, dash-dash. That small dot keeps the two heavy letters from merging into one long block, which matters when the phrase is set in beads: the E’s spacer is what preserves the rhythm of the word. Read in code, the effect is a measured, deliberate opening. For a keepsake it means “Memory” carries its weight in two distinct beats rather than one, a quiet structure that suits the phrase’s purpose and reads clearly when laid out bead by bead.
Three words, sixteen dashes to lay out
Across its three words, “In memory of” runs to twenty-six marks, and it leans firmly toward dashes — sixteen of them against ten dots. That weight comes mostly from the O’s and the double M in the middle word; “Of” adds three more dashes from its own O before finishing on F’s dots. For a maker the ten letters mean nine between-letter gaps plus two word breaks, so the phrase wants length: a plaque, a memorial bench inscription, or a longer pendant rather than a slim band. Set the short outer words “In” and “Of” as light anchors and let the heavier “Memory” hold the centre. The result reads clearly even at a distance.
Buy "In memory of" in morse
Custom-phrase morse jewelry and prints from independent sellers. Send them this page and they'll match the layout above.
Turn it into something physical
This phrase fits a range of keepsake formats:
- Bracelet mockup — if the phrase is short enough (26 morse symbols here).
- Necklace mockup — best for longer phrases.
- Ring design — only works if the phrase is under about 10 morse symbols.
- Tattoo designer — exports an SVG in three layouts and three weights.
Related phrases
- In loving memory — .. -. / .-.. --- ...- .. -. --. / -- . -…
- Rest in peace — .-. . ... - / .. -. / .--. . .- -.-. .
- Lest we forget — .-.. . ... - / .-- . / ..-. --- .-. --. …
- You are my sunshine — -.-- --- ..- / .- .-. . / -- -.-- / ... …
- Beside you always — -... . ... .. -.. . / -.-- --- ..- / .- …
- Across the miles — .- -.-. .-. --- ... ... / - .... . / -- …
Frequently asked questions
What is "In memory of" in morse code?
"In memory of" in international morse code is .. -. / -- . -- --- .-. -.-- / --- ..-..
How long does this phrase take to send?
At 15 WPM this phrase takes about 3.1 seconds to transmit. You can hear it at any speed between 5 and 40 WPM by pressing Play above.
Can I put "In memory of" on a bracelet or necklace?
Yes — use our bracelet or necklace mockup tool to preview how it will look as beads, then screenshot and send to a jeweler or an Etsy seller specializing in morse pieces.
What is the heaviest part of IN MEMORY OF in morse?
The word 'Memory.' Its second M gives two dashes and the following O gives three, producing five dashes in a row, the longest run in the phrase. That stretch of long beads forms the visual centre of a memorial piece.
How many words and letters does the phrase have?
Three words and ten letters — 'In' (two letters), 'Memory' (six), and 'Of' (two), totalling twenty-six marks. It leans toward dashes, sixteen against ten dots, which gives the inscription a weighted, deliberate feel.
Is IN MEMORY OF better as jewelry or a plaque?
With ten letters, two word breaks, and a dash-heavy count, it suits a plaque, bench inscription, or a longer pendant more than a slim bracelet. The extra length lets the letters and the two word gaps breathe without crowding.