What’s yours?

Charles 12 Comments
Charles


 

There was a discussion in a forum at the Ship of Fools about epitaphs. Some are pictured above. 

Hat-tip: Sara 

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Richard
Richard
11 years ago

Jokes are fine for web forums but, at the risk of seeming like a po-faced Quaker, understatement wins for me:

In memory of
JOE BLOGGS
Born 11 November 1930
Died 12 February 2012
May he rest in peace

Charles Cowling
11 years ago

Well, it’s interesting you say that, Richard. We live in the age of the ‘personalised’ funeral – and the (pretty much) uniform headstone.

I think a headstone offers a literary opportunity — if not a duty. We must all strive to be interesting!

Richard
Richard
11 years ago

I’m not sure personalised funerals and headstones always succeed in being more interesting than prescribed liturgy and wording. Neither have to be an extension of your personality in order to save you from being deemed a bore. If they do, then I’m happy to be dull.

Charles Cowling
11 years ago

Well, you would say that, Richard. But this is the Age of Me (Me Me). I want my utter uniqueness to be hymned and fabled til the end of time.

Richard
Richard
11 years ago

Charles, your utter uniqueness will be immortalised in various media whether or not you have a crazy coffin, madcap headstone and zany eulogy!

Charles Cowling
11 years ago

Wanna heeeeadstoooone!!!!

Richard
Richard
11 years ago
Quokkagirl
Quokkagirl
11 years ago

Nothing is new. My father – who would now be nearly 100 – used to joke about headstone inscriptions when I was a child. His favourites were ‘Beneath this sod lies another’ and ‘Here he lies as he has always lied’.

Taking it all a bit seriously Richard methinks. Maybe dates and names then your own favourite quote to personalise it? Go on, you know you want to.

Evelyn
11 years ago

It would make for a dull wander round the grave yards if they were all written up like an electoral register…

I’d like “a breath of fresh air” on mine…. (like Onesiphorus)
and the second date to be 2055!!

Lucy
11 years ago

Whilst overall I agree with Richard – simple, traditional, understated – I do like some of the more enigmatic or amusing inscriptions that make you smile or make you think

Richard
Richard
11 years ago

Some lovely craftsmanship on display in the gallery section of your site, Lucy.

Jed
Jed
11 years ago

Lucy – what a gift you have – I love the idea of carvings on the reverse and beneath the ground… you have an amazing and very beautiful talent. What a pity some cemeteries insist on identical memorial plaques – regimented and army like. I much prefer individuality and to see something of the soul represented. What a treat it was to spend time in your gallery. Thank you.