Book Report: Understanding Cemetery Symbols

When possible, I try to find the final resting place of my ancestors. If there is a chance that a stone still stands in their memory, I want to see it. The stone could hold a final message. It could be a message the deceased had planned to leave behind. Or it could be a message from a loved one to tell us about our ancestor. Will it unveil their complete name and dates? Will there be an epitaph that reveals something of their life? And what about that rose, book or sword carved into the stone. What does it mean? This book will help translate those final messages. 

 

 

Understanding Cemetery Symbols

 A Field Guide for Historic Graveyards

 

By Tui Snider

Published by Castle Azle Press

2017

 

Chapters:

 

Why Symbols Matter

How to Use This Book

The American Burial Landscape

Cemetery Safety & Etiquette

Types of American Cemeteries

Names, Dates & Epitaphs

Sticks & Stones

Coins, Pebbles & Seashells

American Headstone Styles

Monuments & Other Structures

Cemetery Architecture

Hands, Hearts & Body Parts

Saints, Angels & Other Beings

Plants, Flowers & Trees

So Many Crosses!

Clubs, Secret Societies & Organizations

Common Latin Phrases

Misc. Cemetery Symbols from A to Z

 

 

 

First of all, although I walked through many, many cemeteries, I must admit I thought a cemetery and a graveyard were interchangeable terms. Ms. Snider explained that a graveyard is directly beside a church or on land owned by a church. She writes there are 8 basic types of American Cemeteries: Church, Public, Private, Military, Family, Customary, Lodge and Mass Graves. From a description of cemetery types the author focuses on the stones in those cemeteries.

 

I also did not know that a coffin is narrow at the head and foot but wider at the shoulders and a casket is rectangular. That was just one more thing I learned in reading this book.

 

The author gives us an overview of the most common materials used for monuments, the styles of headstones and gives many interesting facts about symbols on the stones. 

 

Examples:

 

• Basket of Flowers. An upright basket means Hope. A spilled basket means Grief.

• Cyclamen. Stands for deep and enduring true love.

• Ear of Corn. Could mean Farmer or a Long & Fruitful Life.

• Holly. Symbolizes Everlasting Life. Folklore says Holly protected the stone from Lightning.

• Shamrock. May indicate a person of Irish heritage. It could also be a reference to the Holy Trinity.

• Violet. Symbolizes a person who was quiet, shy & humble.

 

Now I have to stop myself from revealing too much about this book. Get yourself a copy and see if you can read about just one symbol. I am guessing it will lead to more. Enjoy.

 

 

Do you have a favorite book about Cemeteries?

Share it in the comments.

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