What Do You Say At An Unveiling Headstone?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,


On earth our dear ones do live on through those of us to whom they were so very precious

. We now fondly dedicate this monument (plaque) to the blessed memory of (name) realizing that his (her) remains lie not only in this plot of ground but in every heart his (her) life did touch.

What do you say at a tombstone unveiling?

Headstone Unveiling Ceremony

The Memorial Prayer, called

“El Maleh Rachamim

,” is recited. If there are at least ten people in attendance (known as a “minyan”), the Mourner’s Blessing, called “Mourner’s Kaddish,” may be recited.

What to say at unveiling?


We may talk of what we miss most in our loved one’s life

. We may celebrate what was triumphant and unique in this life. We may laugh at their humor, feel the warmth of their love, bring close their wisdom, recall the moments we most cherish, and cry at the loss.

What do you do for an unveiling?

The service for the unveiling of a monument is a short and simple one. It consists of

the recitation of several Psalms

; the actual removal of the veil from the memorial; the recitation of the Malei Rachamim (the Memorial Prayer) and the Kaddish.

What message do you write on a tombstone?

  • “I lived a good life. Now I’ll have a good rest.”
  • “I hate to leave you all behind, but we’ll meet again one day.”
  • “Live to the fullest, for life is all too short.”
  • “If I could do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
  • “The greatest gift in life is love.”

Do you wear black to an unveiling?


Dress conservatively in dark, neutral colors

. … An unveiling is not as formal as a funeral, but you should still dress appropriately for the occasion.

Who do you invite to an unveiling?

If you are the member of a congregation, you may want to involve your rabbi in planning and officiating at the unveiling, but this is not required. Typically, an unveiling

includes only family and very close friends

. There is no public announcement.

What happens at a tombstone unveiling?

Typically, the ceremony will begin with a religious service, often held at the family’s home, which includes a sermon and hymns. After this, attendees will

go to the grave of the deceased where the tombstone will be completely covered

. Before unveiling it, more hymns are sung, and scripture and psalms are read.

How long do you wait for an unveiling?

Religiously, an unveiling can take place

anytime 30 days after the funeral

. (Shloshim) Traditionally, many people wait 11 months to one year as it marks the end of the formal mourning period. We usually like to allow 3 to 4 months to prepare a memorial so please keep this in mind when scheduling your unveiling.

How do you bless a gravestone?

When blessing a gravestone,

bring the depth of whatever your belief

—or unbelief—may be. Use words, non-verbal sounds or even items placed on the headstone to offer blessings to the grave marker of a departed loved one. Bring your private thoughts and feelings and shower them as blessings only you could give.

Why do cemetery headstones face east?

The concept of being buried facing east to

represent meeting the new day or the next life

is also evident in Christianity and Christian burials. … Most Christians tend to bury their dead facing east. This is because they believe in the second coming of Christ and scripture teaches that he will come from the east.

What is the significance of an unveiling?

An unveiling (hakamat hamatzeivah) is

a graveside religious ceremony marking the formal setting of a loved one’s monument at the cemetery

, as it is a religious obligation to place a marker at the grave of a loved one.

What does unveiling mean?

1 : to remove a veil or covering from. 2 : to make public : divulge,

reveal a good time to unveil their plans

. intransitive verb. : to throw off a veil or protective cloak.

What do you put on someone’s gravestone?

A short message referred to as

an epitaph

is usually added to a headstone along with a person’s name, birth date, and death date. Typically, the goal of the epitaph is to leave some words of wisdom, share the most important values of the deceased, or summarize the person’s life.

What do you say to remember a loved one?

  • Always in our hearts.
  • Always on my mind, forever in my heart.
  • You’ll be with me forever.
  • Gone yet not forgotten.
  • May the winds of heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear. …
  • You may be gone from my sight but you are never gone from my heart.

What do you put on your husband’s headstone?

  • A long life well lived.
  • Always together.
  • Always loving, always loved.
  • At peace.
  • At rest.
  • A beloved mother/father/husband/wife.
  • Devoted in love.
  • Finis.
Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.