Saying goodbye isn’t always easy. And finding the right words for a coworker, friend, or boss who’s leaving? That can be just as tricky.
You want your message to feel genuine, whether it’s a quick note for a colleague, a heartfelt goodbye to a friend, or a few thoughtful words for someone retiring.
With remote and hybrid work now part of how many teams operate, goodbyes don’t always happen in person. In July 2026, 22.2% of employed people at work teleworked or worked from home for pay, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That makes thoughtful goodbyes especially relevant for teams spread across locations.
Whether you’re saying goodbye to a departing coworker or someone close to you, we’ve put together 80 farewell messages for different people and occasions. Pick one that feels right, add a personal touch, and make the goodbye your own.
To Draft a Good Farewell Message
Keep it personal, specific, and appropriate for your relationship with the person. Mention what you appreciated about them, include a meaningful memory or contribution, and end with a positive wish for what comes next.
Simple formula: Appreciation + specific memory or contribution + best wishes + warm closing
Example: “Thank you for always bringing calm and clarity to the team. I really appreciated your support during our busiest projects. Wishing you every success in your new role. Keep in touch!
80 Farewell Messages to Say Goodbye for Every Occasion
Not every goodbye calls for the same words. Choose the messages that fit your relationship and the occasion, then add a personal detail to make them yours.
Short Farewell Messages for Someone Retiring
A retirement farewell message should celebrate the person’s years of work and the life ahead. Thank them for their contributions, share a memory if you’re close, and wish them a happy retirement.
- “One question: Can you please take me with you?”
- “After years of hard work, you’ve earned the freedom to spend your days doing what you love. Happy retirement!”
- “The good thing about retirement is that you become your own boss. What’s more, you don’t need to deal with employee issues. So, enjoy!”
- “Goodbye to all the pressure, welcome to the endless leisure.”
- “Your retirement is well deserved. Thanks for all you have done over the years.”
- “I cannot believe I will be working while you nap. Enjoy your retirement!”
- “Retirement marks the end of a familiar phase and welcomes you to a new and exciting life. May you find joy in your retirement.”
- “Goodbye tension and hello pension! Congratulations!”
- “Welcome to retirement life, where you set the alarm to schedule sleep, and your work is to rest.”
- “After all you’ve done for us, it’s only fair to let the rest of the world get their turn. Best of luck!”
Looking for a short farewell message specifically for someone ending their career? See these retirement wishes for coworkers for more ideas.
Short Farewell Messages for Coworkers
A farewell message for a coworker doesn’t need to be long. Thank them for what they’ve brought to the team, mention something you’ll miss, and wish them well in their next role.
- “It was great having you on the team. Thanks for everything, and good luck in your new role!”
- “You brought so much energy and laughter to the team. You’ll be missed!”
- “Congratulations on your new job! It’s been great working with you, and I’ll miss having you on the team.”
- “Your contributions made a real difference to our team. Wishing you all the best!”
- “You made even the busiest workdays better. I’ll miss working with you!”
- “Thanks for everything you’ve contributed. Wishing you great success in your next role!”
- “We may no longer be coworkers, but we’ll always be friends. Keep in touch!”
- “It’s hard to imagine the team without you. Thanks for always being someone we could count on!”
- “It’s been a pleasure working with you. Wishing you success in your next opportunity!”
- “I’ll miss your positive attitude. I loved having you as a coworker.”
If you are the person leaving, thank you messages for colleagues when leaving should focus on appreciation. Mention what the team taught you, what you enjoyed about working together, or why you will remember the experience.
Need more ideas for saying goodbye at work? See these farewell messages to colleagues for different professional situations.
Heartfelt Farewell Messages for Friends
- “I am so grateful you took a chance on our friendship. Keep in touch.”
- “Thank you for being there for me through thick and thin. I can’t wait to come and visit you.”
- “You know, they say the best way to keep in touch with friends is to send them presents…just saying.”
- “I wish we didn’t have to say goodbye. I’ll be cheering you on, wherever life takes you.”
- “True friends never say goodbye to each other. They just take extended leaves from each other. Keep in touch, friend.”
- “When you miss me, remember how much you would roll your eyes at me most days.”
- “You have been a true friend through all my hard days. I’ll miss you dearly.”
- “I’m not ready to say goodbye. I’ll miss you more than you know.”
- “It’s hard to imagine not seeing you around. Here’s to more memories, no matter the distance!”
- “I’ll miss our adventures and late-night chats. Good luck!”
A shared memory or an inside joke can make your farewell message feel more personal. Choose something that reminds your friend of the time you’ve spent together.
Funny Farewell Messages
- “How much more money are they giving you? Write the number down. Double it. Throw the paper away. I don’t have that kind of money, but I can bribe you with brownies!”
- “We’ve all got our fingers crossed that your resignation gets rejected and your dog eats your acceptance letter.”
- “I’ve been waiting to sit on your chair for a while. Thanks for finally giving me the opportunity.”
- “Dear friend, I sure am going to miss you. Now, who’s going to pick up all my slack?”
- “Congratulations on successfully executing your escape plan. Best of luck at your new job.”
- “I’ll never forget you, [insert the wrong name].”
- “I know you will get an awesome salary in your new job, but there is no guarantee that you will get awesome colleagues like us. Do you still want to go?”
- “I don’t know of a harder thing to accept than watching a friend leave… especially a friend who willingly pays for my meals.”
- “I assume your office is up for grabs now?”
- “They say true friends never say goodbye, only “see you soon.” Yes, that is a threat. I will come visit you if you’re not back here soon.”
Read More: Writing Funny Farewell Cards and Comments
Short and Professional Farewell Messages for Colleagues
Even if you haven’t worked closely with a departing colleague, a brief note recognizing their contributions and wishing them well can make your goodbye feel personal and sincere.
- “Wishing you all the best in your next role. You’ll be missed.”
- “It was great working with you. Good luck with what comes next.”
- “Thank you for all your support. Wishing you continued success.”
- “The team won’t be the same without you. All the best.”
- “I really enjoyed working with you. Hope we stay in touch.”
- “Best wishes for your next opportunity. You deserve great things ahead.”
- “Thanks for being such a great colleague. You’ll be missed around here.”
- “Wishing you success and happiness in your new role.”
- “It’s been a pleasure working alongside you. Take care and good luck.”
- “Good luck with your next chapter. I’m glad we got to work together.”
Professional Farewell Messages for a Boss
If you’re wondering how to say goodbye to your boss, focus on appreciation rather than flattery. Mention their leadership, support, mentorship, or an opportunity they gave you, then wish them well.
- “Thank you for believing in me and encouraging me to be my best.”
- “Thank you for all of your hard work and for training me. I will always aim to uphold the work ethic you brought into this role.”
- “In the years we worked together, you were my boss first and my friend second. Now, I look forward to just being your friend.”
- “Thank you for supporting me the last ___ years. I appreciate your willingness to teach.”
- “You are a compassionate and talented leader. You will be missed.”
- “Your leadership skills helped me be the person and employee I am today. Wishing you all the success moving forward.”
- “I wouldn’t be where I am today without your mentorship. Thanks for being such a great leader.”
- “Thanks for being the best boss someone could ask for. Wishing you the best with this new opportunity and continued success.”
- “Your presence will continue to have an impact on me moving forward. Thanks for your support and goodwill over the years.”
- “I will always remember the mentorship you have given me. Thank you for your hard work.”
For more ideas on saying goodbye to a manager, explore these farewell messages for a boss.
Goodbye Quotes for a Farewell Card
Quotes about saying goodbye can help when it is difficult to put your feelings into your own words.
- The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.” — Charles Dickens
- “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” — William Shakespeare
- “Good-bye, proud world! I’m going home.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.” — Robert Burns
- “To make an end is to make a beginning.” — T. S. Eliot
- “Remember me when I am gone away.” — Christina Rossetti
- “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” — Robert Frost
- “I carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)” — E. E. Cummings
- “Yet we’ll go no more a roving by the light of the moon.” — Lord Byron
- “Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road.” — Walt Whitman
For more options organized by mood and occasion, see Kudoboard’s collection of farewell quotes.
Farewell Messages to Someone Moving
Keep the message positive by acknowledging the distance while wishing them well in their new home or city.
- “I hope you have a spare room for me to stay in when I visit. I will miss you.”
- “May your new town bring you new opportunities, adventures, and your favorite restaurant.”
- “You’re about to show everyone in the new city what a strong and loving person is.”
- “The community just won’t be the same without you.”
- “You are off to great places. I am just sad you are leaving me behind.”
- “Distance doesn’t matter when a bond is this strong. Keep in touch.”
- “I hope your new home is exactly what you hoped for. Wishing you the best.”
- “It’s time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad, and I’d much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure.”
- “I’ll miss you, but I’m excited about your new adventure. I know you will do great things.”
- “Although you are moving away, you’ll always have a special place in my heart.”
If you’re close, add a favorite memory or mention something you’re looking forward to doing together when you meet again.
How to Write a Professional Farewell Message
A good farewell message should be short, personal, and positive. Thank the person, mention something you appreciated, and wish them well.
Match the Tone to Your Relationship
Keep it friendly for a close coworker and more professional for a manager, senior leader, or an executive departure.
Make It Personal
Mention one specific thing you appreciated about the person, such as their support, teamwork, leadership, or a shared experience.
End on a Positive Note
Wish them success in their next role, retirement, move, or whatever comes next. You can also add “Keep in touch” if it feels natural.
What to Avoid
Avoid workplace complaints, confidential details, salary discussions, sensitive reasons for leaving, or jokes that may make the person uncomfortable.
A simple formula works well:
Thank them + mention something specific + wish them well.
How Can You Send Farewell Messages From the Whole Group?
Have a few people who want to say goodbye? A group farewell card lets everyone add their own message, memory, or photo, even when they can’t be there in person.
With a Kudoboard Farewell Card, coworkers, friends, and family can contribute messages, photos, GIFs, and videos to one shared board.
You can also turn the completed board into a keepsake by:
Printing it as a book the recipient can keep.
Printing it as a poster for a farewell party.
Playing it as a slideshow during the send-off.
Ready to bring everyone’s goodbyes together?
Send a group eCard filled with goodbye messages, memories, memes, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
A farewell message should include a genuine thank-you, one specific thing you appreciated about the person, and a positive wish for their future. For example, mention how they helped during a difficult project. Keep it personal and sincere, not generic.
Professional farewell messages should be brief, respectful, and specific. Acknowledge the person’s contributions, then wish them success. For example: “Thank you for your guidance on our projects. I learned a lot working with you. Best wishes in your next role.”
Meaningful retirement farewell messages recognize years of dedication while celebrating what’s ahead. Mention a memorable contribution or their influence on the team. For example: “Your patience and experience meant so much to us. Enjoy more time for what you love!”
“It’s been great working with you. Thanks for always being someone the team could count on. Wishing you all the best in your next role!” This works for a farewell card, email, or team message. Warm, but not overly formal.
When you’re leaving, thank colleagues for their support and mention something you’ll remember. For example: “I’ve enjoyed being part of this team, especially our Friday catch-ups. Thanks for the support and laughs. I’ll miss you all. Let’s stay in touch!”
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