Epitaphs generally are intended to be inscribed on a tombstone honoring a deceased person. Dictated by religious and cultural beliefs of the times, they have evolved from basic information about the deceased, to warnings that time is short for those left behind, tributes to the individual’s character, solace for the beloved, and on to present day philosophy and beliefs about grief and death.
The sin of Adam’s laid me low. For sin hath wrought an overthrow: From dust I came, to dust am come. And now the dust’s become my home. 1707
Unblam’d through life, lamented in her end, A pleasant daughter, sister, wife, and friend. 1773
Fled from the raging storms of time, And wafted to a smoother clime. 1824
One by one earth’s ties are broken as we see our love decay, and the hopes so fondly cherished brighten but to pass away.
One by one our hopes grow brighter as we near the shining shore, for we know across the river wait the loved ones gone before. 1850
Excerpt from the epitaph of Nathaniel Wade (above) recorded as part of a WPA project in the Depression to preserve historic information from local cemeteries.
Erected to the memory of Col. Nathaniel Wade. A distinguished soldier of the Revolution. He commenced his career of military service in the Battle of Bunker Hill as Captain of the Company of Minute Men raised in this town... After the establishment of national independence he was successively called to many important Civil offices, the duties of which he performed with scrupulous tidety. To a remarkable equanimity and mildness of temper he united an intrepidity which no danger could subdue. Kind and affectionate he possessed the love of his family and friends. Just, open and sincere, he won the respect and esteem and confidence of his fellows. 1826
Our dear mother she has left us. Gone to meet her friends so dear, gone and left her weeping children. ’Tis lonely, Oh! So lonely here. 1842
Babe! Our fond affection prompts us bid thee stay. But a voice is calling, calling thee away. 1859
She was the sunshine of our home. 1885
A light from our household is gone. A voice we loved is stilled. A place is vacant in our hearts that never can be filled. 1885
Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and always dear.
Though your smile is gone forever, and your hand I cannot touch, I still have many memories of the one I loved so much. Your memory is a keepsake, with which I’ll never part. God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart. Sadly missed, but never forgotten.
To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die.
Unactive in the damp and gloomy Grave, Beneath this stone, to worms aprey, we sleep, Unconscious of the world, & all her woes. 1740
Let’s talk of Graves, and worms, and Epitaphs. Make dust our paper, and with Rainy Eyes, write sorrow in the bosom of the Earth. 1778
Behold all you that passeth by, As you are now so once was I. As I am now so you must be, Prepare for death and follow me. 1799
The angels call they call me from above and bid me hasten to the realms of love. My soul with transport bears the happy doom. I come, gentle messengers, I come. 1801
Alas, how changed the lovely flower which bloomed and cheered our heart; fair, fleeting comfort of an hour. How soon we’re called to part. 1821
Sleep on dear infant, sleep not in thy cradle bed. Henceforth shall be thy rest with the quiet dead. 1841
Dearest sister, thou hast left us, peaceful in the grave so low. Yet again we hope to meet thee where no farewell tears shall flow. 1863
The midnight stars are beaming upon her silent grave, now sleeping without dreaming, the child we could not save. 1867
Allured to brighter worlds and led the way. 1877
With tears we cry each day. In angels’ arms you were carried away. Our memories of love and laughter shall not fade. For inside our hearts you shall always stay.
Budded on earth to Bloom in Heaven
What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. 2013
The butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam. And for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world. But then it flies on again and although we wish it could have stayed, we are so thankful to have seen it at all. 1960
Our dying friends are pioneers to smooth our rugged path to death.