A lamb, or Lamb of God, is typically found on children's graves for purity and innocence. “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:36, John 1:29). The lamb is also one of the most common images depicted on a child's grave.
ANCHOR - a symbol of hope, or the deceased was a seaman. ANGEL - a guide to Heaven. ARCH - symbolizing a triumphant entry into Heaven or victory over death. ARROW - symbolizing mortality or martyrdom. BEEHIVE - symbol of abundance in the Promised Land or piety or domestic virtue or faith.
Broken Pillar A broken column indicates a life cut short, a memorial to the death of someone who died young or in the prime of life, before reaching old age.
A finger pointing down on a gravestone indicates that God is reaching down for the soul of the deceased.
More common symbols include the skull and crossbones, hourglass (reminders of how short this mortal life was) angels' heads, winged cherubs (representing the belief the soul would rise and live on in heaven) and tools used to dig graves.
Questionings in the grave
Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your prophet?
Butterfly A butterfly symbol may represent rebirth, resurrection, or the natural cycle between birth and death. It may represent the soul and may be found on children's headstones. Also: The soul. It is symbolic of the resurrection of Christ.
Funeral spoons were presented to family members or close friends upon the burial of loved ones. The inscription on the front of this spoon's handle refers to Maria Van Rensselaer, who died in 1688 or 1689. Maria had married Jeremias Van Rensselaer in 1662 but was herself a Van Cortlandt.
To Symbolize Their Visit
Many people leave stones on a loved one's grave or memorial to mark their visit. The symbol of the stone can bring comfort to family and friends, letting them know their loved one has been visited, grieved and prayed for by others, too.
Some argue it can harm the stone, especially if it's already in a state of disrepair. Similarly, if the stone is being restored, rubbing can impact the progress. However, gravestone rubbing is legal in most states. The best way to know whether or not this is allowed is to check with the particular cemetery.
Ankh or Breath of life. Eternal life symbol. Vatican Museums. RF M3R5WF–Ankh, also known as key of life, key of Nile, crux ansata - ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic character represents the concept of eternal life.
Ankh. With origins in ancient Africa, the ankh is often referred to as the first cross. Adopted by Egyptian culture, the ankh came to be known as the key of life and represents eternal life.
The ankh symbol—sometimes referred to as the key of life or the key of the nile—is representative of eternal life in Ancient Egypt. Created by Africans long ago, the ankh is said to be the first--or original--cross.
When seen on a cemetery headstone or gravemarker, two clasped hands on the same level with matching cuffs typically represent: A farewell/goodbye to earthly life. The continuity/unity of life and death as a human condition. A greeting/welcome to eternal life.
Dove on a Tombstone. Kimberly Powell. Seen in both Christian and Jewish cemeteries, the dove is a symbol of resurrection, innocence and peace. An ascending dove, as pictured here, represents the transport of the departed's soul to heaven. A dove descending represents a descent from heaven, assurance of a safe passage.
Grave subsidence refers to the appearance of graves 'sinking'. This is an entirely natural process caused by loosened soil settling into place. Grave subsidence is a process that Council manages and rectifies, and it should not be cause for concern. A grave can take up to 12 months to settle.
Don't sit or lean on the headstones, grave markers, or other memorials. It's not very respectful. If you're planning on being there a long time, bring a little travel chair.
At this time, individuals are instructed to focus on grief and mourning rather than themselves. In order to prevent selfish thoughts, all mirrors are covered within the homes of mourners.
You might have witnessed the custom of people throwing dirt on a casket at a funeral. This tradition is a symbol of the deceased's return to nature and the cycle of life. People participate in this ritual to pay respect and bid a final goodbye to their loved one.
(idiomatic) To never reveal a secret to one's death. Houdini took his secrets to the grave, as he died shortly after performing one of his most famous escapes.
Snake. Snakes and serpents are ancient symbols of everlasting life, and are often depicted on gravestones to create a circle, another symbol of eternity.
A yellow butterfly appears on the scene soon after a loved one has passed with a message of hope. The hope of reuniting in the afterlife is made with each fluttering of this happy sunshine colored butterfly. The promise of a new life through rebirth is delivered by the yellow butterfly.
If you see a blue butterfly after someone you love passes away, some say it is a symbol of the soul who passed are nearby. If there were issues that were not resolved before they passed away, the blue butterfly is helping you with closure, so you can heal and be at peace with their death.