This is from Treasures of the Past

Tombstone Pictures and Inscription Meanings


United Methodist Church	Athiest	The Church of World Messianity	Buddhist

Christian Reformed Church	Christian	Episcopal Cross	Greek Cross

Hebrew	Hindu	Presbyterian Cross	Konko - KYO Faith

Lutheran Cross	United Moravian Church	Morman - Angel Moroni	Muslim Crescent & Star

Russian Orthodox Cross	Native American Church of North	United Church of Religious Science	Reorganized Church - LDS

Serbian Orthodox	Seicho - No - Ie	Sufism Reoriented	Terikyo Church
			.
Unitarian Church Flaming Chalice	Aaronic Order Church	Bahai 9 Pointed Star	.

Old Tombstone Carvings

Relict = the woman was a widow at the time of her death.

Consort = the woman's husband survived her.

Cenotaph = empty grave, with the stone erected in honor or memory of a person buried elsewhere, often erected in honor of a person lost at sea.

Arches = Victory in Death

Arrows = Mortality

Bouquets/Flowers = Condolcences, grief, sorrow

Buds/Rosebud = Morning of Life or Renewal of Life

Roses = Brevity of earthly existences

Portals = Passageway to eternal journey

Bugles = Resurrection and the Military

Crossed Swords = High-ranking military person

Flying Birds = Flight of the Soul

Fruits = Eternal plenty

Garlands = Victory in death

Imps = Mortality

Shells = Pilgrimage of Life

Thistles = Remembrance

Tombs = Mortality

Trees = Life

Trumpeters = Heralds of the Resurrection

Willows = Earthly Sorrow

Morning Glory = Beginning of Life

Butterfly = Short-lived; Early Death

Full-Blown Rose = Prime of Life

Palm Branch = Signifies Victory and Rejoicing

Ivy = Friendship and Immortality

Laurel = Fame or Victory

Oak Leaves & Acorn = Maturity, Ripe Old Age

Weeping Willow = Emblem of Sorrow

Corn = Ripe Old Age

Sheaf of Wheat = Ripe for Harvest, Divine Harvest, Time

Poppy = Sleep

Lamb = Innocence

Dove = Innocence, Gentleness, Affection, Purity

Cherub = Angelic

Cross = Emblem of Faith

Anchor/Ships = Hope or Seafaring profession

Broken Ring = Family Circle Severed

Broken Column = Loss of Head of Family

Torch Inverted = Life Extinct

Urn with Blaze = Undying Friendship

Harp = Praise to the Maker

Handshakes = Farewell

Hearts = Soul in Bliss or Love of Christ

Horns = The Resurrection

Hourglass = Swiftness of Time

Open Book/Bible = Deceased Teacher, Minister, etc.

Lily or Lily of Valley = Emblem of Innocence and Purity

Tree Stump with Ivy = Head of Family; Immortality

Urn with Wreath or Crepe = Mourning

Stars & Stripes Around Eagle = Eternal Vigilance, Liberty

Hourglass with Wings of Time = Time Flying; Short Life

Candle being Snuffed = Time, mortality

Coffin, Father Time, Picks/Shovels, Darts = Mortality

Hand of God Chopping = Sudden Death

Winged Effigies = Flight of the Soul

FLT = Forever Linked Together