Cemetery Inscriptions

Abbreviations

B.P.O.E.: Benevolent Protective Order of Elks

F.L.T.: with each letter in a link of a chain: Friendship, Love and Truth (see I.O.O.F.)

F.O.E.: Fraternal Order of Eagles

G.A.R.: Grand Army of the Republic. It was an organization of Civil War Union Army veterans.

I.O.O.F.: International Order of Odd Fellows (see F.L.T.).

V.D.M.: verbi Dei minister (Minister of the Word of God).

W.O.W.: Woodmen of the World. Upright tree stump markers are typical of the fraternity.

Terminology

Cenotaph: not a grave marker; a cenotaph is a monument erected in memory of someone who died elsewhere, perhaps at sea.

Consort: a woman who outlived her husband.

Relict: a woman who died a widow.

Symbols

Anchors and ships: hope or seafaring profession

Arches: victory in death

Arrows: mortality

Broken column: loss of head of family

Broken ring: family circle severed

Bugles: military (see also Trumpeters)

Butterfly: short-lived; early death

Candle being snuffed: time, mortality

Cherub: angelic

Compass and square: Masonic emblems

Corn: ripe old age

Cross: symbol of Christian hope

Crossed swords: officer in the military

Darts: mortality

Doves: the soul, purity, innocence, gentleness

Father Time: mortality, the Grim Reaper

Flowers: brevity of existence, sorrow

Flowers: condolence, grief, sorrow

Flying Birds: flight of the soul

Fruits: eternal plenty

Garlands: victory in death

Hand(s) of God Chopping: sudden death

Handshakes: farewell to Earthly existence

Harp: praise to the Maker

Hearts: blissfulness or love of Christ

Hourglass with wings: time flying; short life

Hourglass: swiftness of time

Ivy: friendship and immortality

Lamb: innocence

Laurel: fame or victory

Lily or lily of valley: emblem of innocence and purity

Morning glory: beginning of life

Oak leaves and acorn: maturity, ripe old age

Open book or Bible: deceased teacher, minister, etc.

Palm branch: signifies victory and rejoicing

Picks and shovels: mortality

Poppy: sleep, military remembrance

Portals: passageway to eternal journey

Rose in full bloom: prime of life

Rosebud: morning of life or renewal of life

Roses: brevity of mortal life

Sheaf of wheat: ripe for harvest, divine harvest time

Shells: pilgrimage of life

Stars and stripes around eagle: eternal vigilance, liberty

Sun: the soul's resurrection

Thistles: remembrance

Tombs: mortality

Torch inverted: life extinct

Tree stump with ivy: head of family; immortality

Trees: life

Trumpeters: heralds of the soul's resurrection

Urn with flame: undying friendship

Urn with wreath or crepe: mourning

Willows: emblem of sorrow

Winged effigies: flight of the soul