out of sight, out of mind; with time we forget those who have died
Proverb meaning that people gradually forget those who are no longer present, whether through death or distance. Often used to express the transience of human relationships.
See also: 去る者は日々に疎し
friendships fade with distance
Specifically refers to friendships or relationships weakening when people are separated by distance. Overlaps with sense 1 but emphasizes physical separation rather than death.
They say 'out of sight, out of mind,' and I've recently stopped thinking much about my friend who moved far away.
After studying abroad, I grew apart from my local friends. Friendships really do fade with distance.
Variant with the particle は, making it slightly more formal or emphatic. Meaning is identical.
The proverb derives from the line 去者日以疎 in the 「古詩十九首」, meaning that those who have departed grow more distant day by day.