When we are planning what we would like to write as an epitaph for a loved one, it is common to choose conventional words. These are usually short inscriptions on the headstone, which are a lasting memory of the person buried. Deciding what you would like a saying or inscription to say is no easy task. We want words that are adequate, and often, in times of grievance, it can feel like no word is good enough. Many people choose their quotes from stories, poetry, or religion. You could try to think of what your friend or relative is most known for and choose something relevant to them.
Once we have said goodbye and buried a person, it is often the tombstone that we visit as a place to remember and say words. This is the main purpose of a headstone, a lasting mark and tribute to a person who has passed away. Headstones are great ways to highlight and celebrate a person’s life. Many years ago they would have been simple tombstones. Today, we opt for more extravagant designs, including brighter colors and more complicated designs. We realize that a life is to be celebrated, no matter how sad we are that the person has passed away.
If someone is suddenly taken from us, we often feel guilty that we didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. In these cases, the headstone can be a great comfort to family and close friends, as it is a place for them to come and talk to the person who has passed away. It is not surprising that the most used inscription is “Rest in peace”.
Epitaphs also serve to comfort relatives of the deceased. In most cases, they can be unique sayings that are personal to the deceased. One of the most used tombstone sayings is “To a loving father/mother/son”.
The main thing to think about when organizing a headstone inscription is that it should be short but have a connection to the person who has died. If they had a saying they were known for or a song they loved, they can be used as inspiration on what to say. If this doesn’t work, use something appropriate to describe them. For example, for a religious person who was in the military, you might use “He loved his family, nation, and God.”
Many large lists of excellent epitaph examples can be found by searching for “epitaph examples” on most major search engines such as Google.