Tombstone Inscriptions
Below are some common tombstone incriptions (also known
as epitaphs) and what they mean. A cenotaph is not a
grave marker at all. It is a monument erected in memory of someone
who died elsewhere, perhaps at sea or in war. The word cenotaph is
derived from the Greek kenos taphos, meaning "empty tomb." Usually the
person is buried elsewhere.
B.P.O.E.: Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
F.L.T.: with
each letter in a link of a chain: Friendship, Love and Truth (see
I.O.O.F.)
F.O.E.: Fraternal Order of Eagles
G.A.R.:
Grand Army of the Republic. It was an
organization of Civil War
Union Army veterans.
I.O.O.F.: International Order of Odd
Fellows (see F.L.T.).
V.D.M.: verbi Dei minister (Minister of
the
Word of God).
W.O.W.: Woodmen of the World. Upright
tree
stump markers are typical of the fraternity.
Relect
carved on a woman's headstone: she died
a widow.
Consort:
she outlived her husband.
Some examples of engraved symbols
include:
Anchors and Ships: Hope or Seafaring profession
Arches: Victory in Death
Arrows: Mortality
Broken
column: Loss of head of family
Broken ring: Family circle
severed
Bugles: Military (see Trumpeters)
Butterfly:
Short-lived; early death
Candle being snuffed: Time,
mortality
Cherub: Angelic
Compass and Square: Masonic
emblems
Corn: Ripe old age
Cross: Symbol of Christian
hope
Crossed Swords: Officer in the military
Darts:
Mortality
Doves: The soul, purity, innocence, gentleness
Father Time: Mortality, The Grim Reaper
Flowers: Brevity
of early existence, sorrow
Flowers: Condolence, grief, sorrow
Flying Birds: Flight of the soul
Fruits : Eternal plenty
Garlands : Victory in death
Hand(s) of God Chopping: Sudden Death
Handshakes: Farewell to earthly existence
Harp: Praise to
the Maker
Hearts: Blissfulness or love of Christ
Hourglass with wings: Time flying; short life
Hourglass:
Swiftness of time
Ivy: Friendship and immortality
Lamb: Innocence
Laurel: Fame or victory
Lily or lily
of valley: Emblem of innocence and purity
Morning glory:
Beginning of life
Oak leaves and acorn: Maturity, ripe old
age
Open book or Bible: Deceased teacher, minister, etc.
Palm Branch: Signifies victory and rejoicing
Picks and
shovels: Mortality
Poppy: Sleep
Portals: Passageway to
eternal journey
Rose in full bloom: Prime of life
Rosebud: Morning of life or renewal of life
Roses: Brevity of
mortal life
Sheaf of wheat: Ripe for harvest, divine harvest
time
Shells: Pilgrimage of life
Stars and stripes
around eagle: Eternal vigilance, liberty
Suns: The
Resurrection
Thistles: Remembrance
Tombs: Mortality
Torch Inverted: Life extinct
Tree stump with ivy: Head of
family; immortality
Trees: Life
Trumpeters: Heralds of
the resurrection
Urn with flame: Undying friendship
Urn with wreath or crepe: mourning
Willows: Emblem of sorrow
Winged effigies: Flight of the soul
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