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Epitaphs are short compositions or carvings on tombstones honoring the deceased. They can be somber or humorous and provide insight into a person’s life. The practice is ancient, with Greeks and Romans including them on graves. Both verse and prose are suitable, with some choosing religious texts or famous quotes. Choosing an epitaph can be challenging, but visiting cemeteries can yield interesting examples.
An epitaph is a short literary composition in honor of someone who has died, or a carving of such a composition on a tombstone. Epitaphs in cemeteries around the world are frequent sources of commentary and discussion, ranging from humorous to somber. A well-composed or chosen epitaph conveys some sense of the spirit of the deceased, hopefully leaving food for thought for visitors.
The practice of carving epitaphs is quite ancient. Archaeological evidence shows that both Greeks and Romans regularly included epitaphs on their graves, and older cultures probably did as well. The term “epitaph” is of Greek origin, being derived from epi- for “at or over” and taphos, for “grave or funerary rites”. The concept of the epitaph has persisted across numerous generations and cultures, with various trends in epitaph styling waxing and waning.
Both verse and prose are suitable for an epitaph. If an epitaph is in verse, people commonly choose to quote famous lines, often including just a segment, with the understanding that visitors will know the context and infer a deeper meaning. Of course, it is also possible to compose new verses for a gravestone. Some people may choose a Bible verse or other religious text, in some cases simply by referencing a famous passage, such as in “Psalm XXV, 10,” assuming people know the text.
Some epitaphs are meant to be somber, reminding guests of the inevitability of death. Others celebrate the deceased, either serious or lighthearted, and sometimes provide details about a person’s life, such as whether or not the deceased was a parent. In some cases, the epitaphs also describe the manner of death, especially if it was considered heroic. An epitaph can provide interesting clues about how someone lived and what people thought of him or her.
Choosing an epitaph is quite a challenge. Some deceased make it easier for their survivors by choosing an epitaph ahead of time, especially if they want epitaphs with a humorous intent, such as “let me finish this line” for a knitter’s gravestone. Survivors can also choose to take an epitaph from a deceased’s handwriting, if it was a famous author, or they can choose quotes from books or poems that were loved by the deceased.
A visit to any cemetery will yield a rich harvest of epitaphs, some of which are quite poignant. Some people belong to organizations that collect interesting or noteworthy epitaphs, posting them on websites for others to enjoy; you can probably discover some with your favorite search engine.
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