When writing an obituary, word choice carries emotional weight. The words āsunriseā and āsunsetā are poetic symbols often used to describe a personās birth and passing.
Yet, sometimes you might want to express these moments in different, equally touching ways. Finding other words can make your writing more personal, respectful, and unique.
This guide lists 22+ other ways to say āsunrise and sunsetā in both formal and informal contexts. Whether youāre a writer, an English learner, or preparing an obituary, these alternatives will help you express lifeās beginning and end with grace and empathy.
š What Does āSunrise and Sunsetā Mean?
In an obituary, āsunriseā often means the time someone was born, while āsunsetā means the time they passed away.
Itās a metaphorical expressionāa poetic way to show that life is a journey from dawn to dusk.
Grammatically, these words act as nouns, often used in sentences like:
Her sunrise was on May 3, 1945, and her sunset on August 14, 2023.
š When to Use āSunrise and Sunsetā
You can use āsunrise and sunsetā in:
- Obituaries or memorial tributes
- Eulogies or funeral programs
- Poems, letters, or reflections on life
Itās best used when you want a gentle, spiritual tone. It gives comfort and paints a picture of lifeās natural rhythm.
Avoid it in:
- Legal or medical documents (too poetic)
- Business reports or formal corporate writing
šļø Is It Professional or Polite to Say āSunrise and Sunsetā?
Yesāitās very polite and poetic. It shows warmth, respect, and sensitivity.
However, in professional or official writing, it might feel too emotional or artistic. In such cases, use simpler phrases like ābornā and āpassed awayā.
š¬ Example:
āHis sunrise was on May 8, 1952, and his sunset on June 10, 2022.ā
This line feels peaceful and heartfelt, perfect for a memorial or obituary.
āļø Pros and Cons of Using āSunrise and Sunsetā
Pros:
- Sounds gentle and poetic
- Shows emotional depth
- Suitable for religious or spiritual audiences
- Offers comforting imagery
Cons:
- Can sound too flowery in formal writing
- Might be confusing for non-native speakers
- Not ideal for official or factual documents
š” 22+ Other Ways to Say āSunrise and Sunsetā (With Examples)
Below are 22+ thoughtful alternatives, each with meaning, example, and best context.
1. Born and Departed
Meaning: The most common and clear alternative.
Explanation: Simple, direct, and respectful.
Example Sentence: Born on April 5, 1950, and departed this life on July 9, 2023.
Best Use: Formal documents, newspapers.
Worst Use: Poetic or religious contexts.
Tone: Neutral.
2. Arrival and Departure
Meaning: Describes life as a journey.
Explanation: Evokes a gentle travel metaphor.
Example Sentence: Her arrival was on March 1, 1942, and her departure on June 30, 2020.
Best Use: Obituaries, memorial services.
Worst Use: Legal or official writing.
Tone: Warm, metaphorical.
3. Came into the world / Left this world
Meaning: Natural and emotional phrasing.
Explanation: Often used in heartfelt tributes.
Example Sentence: She came into this world on May 10, 1960, and left it on January 5, 2022.
Best Use: Speeches, personal notes.
Worst Use: Corporate contexts.
Tone: Emotional, informal.
4. Born and Passed Away
Meaning: Common, respectful, and clear.
Explanation: Perfect balance between polite and simple.
Example Sentence: Born on July 4, 1958, passed away on February 14, 2023.
Best Use: All obituary types.
Worst Use: None.
Tone: Neutral, respectful.
5. First Breath / Last Breath
Meaning: Symbolic of the start and end of life.
Explanation: Beautiful for poetic or emotional writing.
Example Sentence: From his first breath on January 12, 1938, to his last on September 3, 2020.
Best Use: Poems, eulogies.
Worst Use: Official documents.
Tone: Emotional, gentle.
6. Opening Chapter / Final Chapter
Meaning: Life viewed as a story.
Explanation: Works well in creative writing.
Example Sentence: His opening chapter began in 1949, and his final chapter closed in 2021.
Best Use: Speeches, creative writing.
Worst Use: Church or religious settings.
Tone: Reflective, literary.
7. Dawn and Dusk
Meaning: A direct nature-based metaphor.
Explanation: Reflects beauty and calmness of lifeās cycle.
Example Sentence: Her dawn was in 1935, and her dusk in 2010.
Best Use: Religious or poetic obituaries.
Worst Use: Legal texts.
Tone: Poetic.
8. Entrance and Exit
Meaning: Describes life as a performance.
Explanation: Slightly artistic, fits creative tributes.
Example Sentence: He made his entrance in 1940 and his exit in 2020.
Best Use: Artistic memorials.
Worst Use: Religious texts.
Tone: Metaphorical, light.
9. Arrival and Farewell
Meaning: Life seen as a journey with beginnings and endings.
Explanation: Adds a gentle touch to lifeās story.
Example Sentence: Her arrival blessed us in 1952, and her farewell came in 2018.
Best Use: Family-written obituaries.
Worst Use: Business memorials.
Tone: Warm, emotional.
10. Life Began / Life Ended
Meaning: Simple and factual.
Explanation: No metaphors, very clear.
Example Sentence: Her life began on March 3, 1949, and ended on May 6, 2022.
Best Use: Newspapers or online obituaries.
Worst Use: Poetic writing.
Tone: Formal, neutral.
11. Born Into Light / Returned to Light
Meaning: Spiritual and symbolic of divine connection.
Explanation: Fits well in religious contexts.
Example Sentence: Born into light on April 2, 1932, and returned to light on September 9, 2021.
Best Use: Religious memorials.
Worst Use: Secular writing.
Tone: Spiritual.
12. The Beginning and The Rest
Meaning: Expresses lifeās start and eternal rest.
Explanation: Ideal for peaceful tributes.
Example Sentence: Her beginning was May 6, 1957, and her rest came June 10, 2023.
Best Use: Christian obituaries.
Worst Use: Legal or academic writing.
Tone: Peaceful, comforting.
13. The Start of Life / The End of Life
Meaning: Direct yet gentle.
Explanation: Easy for learners to understand.
Example Sentence: The start of his life was in 1941, the end in 2022.
Best Use: Simple, factual notices.
Worst Use: Poetic writing.
Tone: Neutral.
14. Lifeās Dawn / Lifeās Dusk
Meaning: Poetic form of sunrise and sunset.
Explanation: Keeps the same tone but varies vocabulary.
Example Sentence: Her lifeās dawn came in 1930, and her lifeās dusk in 2019.
Best Use: Poetic obituaries.
Worst Use: Business writing.
Tone: Elegant, calm.
15. Came Among Us / Went Home
Meaning: Common in Christian tributes.
Explanation: Suggests life on earth and return to heaven.
Example Sentence: She came among us on January 4, 1951, and went home on August 2, 2020.
Best Use: Church or faith-based writing.
Worst Use: Secular or atheist contexts.
Tone: Religious, comforting.
16. Entered This Life / Entered Eternal Rest
Meaning: Classic formal phrasing.
Explanation: Common in printed obituaries.
Example Sentence: Entered this life on July 3, 1945; entered eternal rest on April 9, 2023.
Best Use: Newspapers, programs.
Worst Use: Informal tributes.
Tone: Formal, solemn.
17. Began the Journey / Completed the Journey
Meaning: Life as a path or voyage.
Explanation: Beautiful for storytelling.
Example Sentence: He began his journey on May 9, 1940, and completed it on November 1, 2020.
Best Use: Eulogies or creative writing.
Worst Use: Legal notices.
Tone: Inspirational.
18. Cradle to Heaven
Meaning: Figurative of lifeās full span.
Explanation: Soft and symbolic.
Example Sentence: From cradle to heaven, she filled hearts with love.
Best Use: Religious or emotional pieces.
Worst Use: Professional writing.
Tone: Spiritual, affectionate.
19. Born / Rested in Peace
Meaning: Common, respectful phrasing.
Explanation: Combines simplicity and warmth.
Example Sentence: Born on May 5, 1944, rested in peace on December 10, 2022.
Best Use: General obituaries.
Worst Use: Poetic or creative writing.
Tone: Gentle, neutral.
20. Opened Eyes / Closed Eyes
Meaning: Figurative of seeing life and eternal rest.
Explanation: Emotional and soft.
Example Sentence: He opened his eyes on March 10, 1943, and closed them on July 5, 2021.
Best Use: Family-written tributes.
Worst Use: Formal settings.
Tone: Emotional, tender.
21. Life Began to Bloom / Faded Away
Meaning: Nature-inspired metaphor.
Explanation: Symbolizes beauty and impermanence.
Example Sentence: Her life began to bloom in 1936 and faded away in 2020.
Best Use: Poetic, personal writing.
Worst Use: Religious ceremonies.
Tone: Reflective, artistic.
22. The Dawn of Life / The Twilight of Life
Meaning: Elegant and expressive.
Explanation: Perfect for formal writing.
Example Sentence: The dawn of his life was June 8, 1949; the twilight came April 15, 2023.
Best Use: Published obituaries.
Worst Use: Business documents.
Tone: Poetic, polished.
23. Came Into Being / Returned to Spirit
Meaning: Gentle spiritual phrasing.
Explanation: Reflects birth and return to the divine.
Example Sentence: She came into being on February 7, 1942, and returned to spirit on December 1, 2021.
Best Use: Spiritual or religious contexts.
Worst Use: Secular reports.
Tone: Mystical, soothing.
š Comparison Table: Top Alternatives by Tone and Usage
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use | Formality | Religious Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born and Departed | Neutral | Newspapers | ā Formal | ā |
| Arrival and Departure | Warm | Memorials | š” Semi-formal | ā |
| First Breath / Last Breath | Emotional | Eulogies | ā Informal | ā |
| Entered This Life / Entered Eternal Rest | Solemn | Church services | ā Formal | ā |
| Lifeās Dawn / Lifeās Dusk | Poetic | Personal tributes | š” Semi-formal | ā |
| Came Among Us / Went Home | Comforting | Religious writing | š¢ Formal | ā |
| Born / Rested in Peace | Simple | General obituaries | š” Semi-formal | ā |
āFAQs About āSunrise and Sunsetā Alternatives
1. Can I still use āsunrise and sunsetā in a modern obituary?
Yes, itās timeless and poetic. Many families still use it today.
2. Which alternative is best for a professional obituary?
Use āborn and departedā or āentered this life / entered eternal rest.ā
3. Are āsunriseā and āsunsetā too emotional?
Not at allātheyāre elegant. Just make sure they fit the tone of your tribute.
4. Whatās the simplest phrase for non-native English speakers?
āBorn and passed awayā is the easiest and most natural.
5. Can I mix metaphors like āsunriseā and āfinal restā?
Yes, as long as the tone stays consistent and respectful.
š Conclusion
Choosing the right words for birth and passing adds depth to your writing. Whether you prefer poetic expressions like ādawn and duskā or simple phrasing like āborn and departed,ā your choice shapes how others feel when they read it.
Use these 22+ alternatives to bring comfort, elegance, and clarity to every obituary you write. Rememberālanguage has the power to honor a life beautifully.
David Jonson is an experienced English language writer who specializes in clear, practical, and learner-friendly content. He helps students and professionals improve their communication skills with confidence.