Grave Markers

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Grave Markers have an interesting history. Here are some of the more interesting facts and stories.

Y2K not written in stone - In the year 2000, when the technological world was worried that computerized forms designed for years starting with “19” would bring the commerce to a halt, grave markers had their own related problem. Millions of people across the world (at least 500,000 in the United States alone) had pre-purchased grave markers in the 20th century but were still living in 2000. And in many cases, the “19” was already chiseled into their markers and awaiting the addition of just two more digits. Once something is set in stone, of course, it is difficult or impossible to change, so cemeteries, monument makers, and grave marker owners had a crisis as the new millennium came about. There was no standard solution to the problem (other than to not make the same mistake on markers ordered in the 21st century). In many cases, engravers did manage to erase the 19. In other cases, either the dealer or the customer simply purchased a new marker. And in still other cases –mostly involving unique, eccentric personalities – the grave marker owner agreed to be put to rest with a meaningless “19” in front of his or her actual date of death. A good number of these cases remain unresolved today.

The History of Inscriptions – In recent years, inscriptions (also called epitaphs) on grave markers have become more and more simple. This is largely because long inscriptions require up-right headstones, and those have largely gone out of fashion since the late 20th century. Up-right grave markers tend to lean (or even fall) over time, and landscaping around them is difficult. So many cemeteries have begun requiring plot owners to use simple “flat” grave markers that are much smaller than traditional upright markers and, therefore, can hold less text. So creative inscriptions like William Shakpeare’s famous one are becoming a tradition of the past: Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear / To dig the dust enclosèd here./ Blest be the man that spares these stones / And cursed be he that moves my bones. Today’s inscriptions are much more too the point, even for relatively famous and influential people: A beloved friend and father or A life well lived. With the advent of technology that makes printing easy and affordable for everyone, most people, it seems today, are content to leave their life’s most important words somewhere besides the grave. In many cases, modern grave markers simply list a name and the years of birth and death.

History of the name – Grave markers are also known as headstones and sometimes even footstones. Today those names are used almost interchangibly to refer to the same type of, flat, grave marker. But, in days past, the terms referred to substantially different types of markers. Grave markers, initially, were stone coverings that were placed over the lid of a coffin before it was buried. Headstones were markers that, as the name suggests, marked the head of a grave, and footstones, of course, marked the foot. Overtime, the tradition of grave markers and footstones became obsolete, and, today, almost all grave markers are placed at the head of the grave, in the area that was once reserved for “headstones.” It it interesting to note that, particularly in European cemeteries, the marker actually is placed at the foot of the grave, but it is usually called a headstone nonetheless.

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