An epitaph
(from Greek ἐπιτάφιος epitaphios “a funeral oration” from ἐπί epi “at, over” and τάφος taphos “tomb”) is a short text honoring a deceased person. Strictly speaking, it refers to text that is inscribed on a tombstone or plaque, but it may also be used in a figurative sense.
What is a headstone inscription?
An epitaph is beautiful words inscribed on a cemetery monument, headstone, plaque, marker or memorial that is
a message for or a message about the deceased individual or individuals
. Personalized inscriptions on a headstone express what is truly meaningful to the deceased and to the family.
What is written on a gravestone?
The headstone epitaph or gravestone quote often includes a person’s name and dates together with a headstone inscription. This may take the form of
a piece of prose or a reference from the Bible
.
What is the difference between a gravestone and a headstone?
As nouns the difference between headstone and tombstone
is that
headstone is a gravestone, a grave marker
: a monument traditionally made of stone placed at the head of a grave while tombstone is a headstone marking the person’s grave.
What can I put on a headstone for husband and wife?
- 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.
What do you write on a father’s headstone?
- Our loving father.
- Beloved father.
- Devoted father.
- In loving memory of [insert name here]
- Beloved by all who knew him.
- Gone but not forgotten.
What do you leave at a grave?
- Flowers. Leaving flowers at a gravesite is a time-honored tradition. …
- Holiday decorations. Any grave decorations left should follow the rules of the cemetery, as mentioned above. …
- Grave blankets. …
- Coins. …
- Stones. …
- Large flags. …
- Fencing. …
- Vases.
What does Jno mean on a headstone?
found is abbreviation of
john
.
–
Geneva Bailey (guest) 2. 2/18/2018, 4:44 PM. Britts used to write in Jno short name version for John. – Barry Duggan (guest) 1.
Why are headstones at the feet?
The
idea was to make it easier on the eye for the families of the deceased
. As all the graves looked the same they could focus on the graves of their loved ones and not be distracted by other larger and elaborate ones. Each grave would get a small flat marker, which was mostly placed at the feet.
Why are bodies buried 6 feet down?
(WYTV) – Why do we bury bodies six feet under? The six feet under rule for burial may have come from a plague in London in 1665. The Lord Mayor of London ordered all the “graves shall be at least six-foot deep.” … Gravesites reaching
six feet helped prevent farmers from accidentally plowing up bodies
.
Why do some cemeteries not have headstones?
Remember that because
cemeteries are not covered by the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule
, the cemetery may not accept a headstone purchased elsewhere or may charge a fee for bringing in or installing a headstone you purchased somewhere else.
How long should you wait to put a headstone on a grave?
You should wait a
minimum of 6-12 months
before erecting a headstone. The time gap between the actual burial and the erection of a headstone will vary. Soil settlement time, the climate of the site, the traditions of the families, and the period of aggrievement are all important considerations.
How do you write a good epitaph?
- Write the full name of the person, ensuring correct spelling.
- Add the birth and death dates.
- Choose a quote or Bible verse to appear on the headstone that praises the virtues of the deceased person or that reminds us that eternal life is promised by God.
Do you put a maiden name on a tombstone?
Include the last name on the headstone. Other married names can be included in the last name field as all surnames are searchable in Memorial Search.
The ‘maiden name’ is only for the maiden name
.
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.
Is it disrespectful to walk on a grave?
Touching monuments or headstones is extremely disrespectful
and in some cases, may cause damage. … Be sure to walk in between the headstones, and don’t stand on top of a burial place. Be respectful of other mourners.
