Ideas for Headstone Inscriptions

Although we all know that death is inevitable, the loss of a loved one is one of the most distressing and painful moments in life. Death cannot be avoided but the memories of our close ones can be treasured forever. After the funeral ceremony is over, a headstone or gravestone is placed as a marker over the site of a burial in the cemetery. It is generally carved from stone, granite or marble. Headstones are carved with inscriptions or epitaphs in the memory of the deceased. Headstone inscriptions are considered a long-lasting symbol of remembrance and an expression of regards for a person who has passed away.

Parts of a Headstone Inscription
Headstone inscriptions can be as simple as those that begin with the standard "Here lies.." or "In the memory of....", or they can be popular verses from biblical scriptures or short poems and sayings. The relationship of the deceased to his/her survivors is also mentioned, e.g. mother of, son of, sister of, grandfather of. A typical format of headstone inscriptions constitutes a heading, body copy and verse.

• Heading: The tombstone heading is inscribed at the top of the headstone. It includes wordings like 'In loving memory', 'Treasured memories', 'In affectionate remembrance of', 'Precious memories of', 'Rest in peace', 'Sleeping with the angels', etc.
• Body Copy: In the body copy, the name of the deceased, along with the date of birth and death are mentioned. You can also include your feelings and shared thoughts in the body copy.
• Verse: At the bottom of the headstone, bible verses, funeral poems or song lyrics can be inscribed.

Go through the following thoughtful wordings for headstone inscriptions to get a clear idea.

Headstone Inscription Ideas

Following are some examples of headstone verses.

May the journey on your next adventure be as joy-filled as your time with us. See you soon!

God Took You From Our Home But Never From Our Hearts.

He shall receive in the world to come, eternal life.

The Lord hath given him rest from all his enemies.

We miss you very much and love you dearly We know our God is taking care of you And you are now one of his special angels You are forever in our hearts We can't wait to be with you again.

To live in the hearts of those we love is never to die.

Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us everyday.

The following can be inscribed as headstone epitaphs for children.

Sleep, my little one, sleep.

Hush my dear, be still and slumber: Jolly angels guard your bed.

Children are a heritage of the Lord.

Sleep undisturbed within the peaceful shrine, Till angels wake thee with a note like thine.

You can select unique wordings like the ones below to highlight the success, generosity and devotion of your father, son, husband or friend who is no longer with you.

Step softly, a dream lies buried here.

He always stood for what was right and good. And for this we shall forever cherish his memory.

You always did the things you thought you couldn't do. Thank you for your courage and inspiration.

He achieved success here because he lived well, laughed often and loved much. We'll forever miss you, Daddy!

When writing epitaphs for your mother, grandmother, sister or daughter, you can mention their love, affection, care and devotion. Go through the following examples for inscriptions for ideas.

She never took no for an answer, and pushed ahead when others paused. But a kinder, gentler woman you will never meet again.

God's greatest gift returned to Him - my mother.

She lives with us in memory and will for evermore.

Goodbye to a wonderful mother and grandmother. She lived a long and wonderful life, and was loved by all who knew her. She will be dearly missed, but will live on in our hearts for generations.

Writing gravestone epitaphs for your close ones is task that calls for close attention to details as well as a fair amount of literary flair as you need to carefully select the appropriate words and expressions for inscription. Inscriptions should reflect your personal attachment with the deceased. Through headstone epitaphs, you can express your sentiments, feelings and affection for the deceased person. Inscriptions should be written in such a way that they highlight the personality traits or accomplishments of the deceased person. Inscriptions can be carved simply in black or white, or, more elaborately, in silver or gold. The style of lettering on the epitaphs depends upon your personal choice. You can also add images of angels and flowers to give it an artistically ethereal feel. A laser image of the deceased can also be etched onto the headstone. Headstone inscriptions are a lasting tribute to a departed loved one. Every time you visit the grave of a loved one, an elaborately carved headstone will remind you of all the pleasant times spent you spent together. Let the memories of your close ones last for eternity with these sentimental and meaningful inscriptions.