What to write on a Headstone

What is a Headstone?

A headstone, tombstone, or gravestone is a marker, usually stone, that is placed over a grave. In most cases they have the deceased’s name, date of birth, and date of death inscribed on them, along with a personal message, or prayer.

Simply stated:  A headstone is a memorial stone set at the head of a grave.

Deciding What to Write on a Headstone

Deciding what to inscribe on the headstone is a task challenging and emotional at the same time. Here are the basics which make the part and parcel of a headstone.

The Basics

Name of the Deceased

The full name of the deceased is written on top of a headstone. Nickname can also be written in parentheses followed by the real name which facilitates identification and conveys love and remembrance for the deceased.

Date of Birth and Death

After the name, the date of birth and death must be present on a headstone. It marks how long your loved one lived before moving on to the other side  of the veil.

Add-Ons

Your Relationship with the deceased

Usually people mention their relationship with the deceased so as to let others feel the depth of love they have for him/her. You can begin with:

The Dearly Loved Husband

The Dearly Loved Wife

With Love We Remember

A Beloved Friend

A Devoted Brother

A Devoted Sister

Our Darling Daughter

Our Darling Son

Headstone Sayings

Mentioning the above doesn’t really say much about the bonding you and your loved onewere sharing. You should adorn the headstone with Biblical quotes and sayings as well as other legendary verses which relate to the characteristics of your loved one way or the other. This will suggest the visitors much about how special the deceased is to you.

Biblical Epitaphs

With the help of family and friends, select verses from Bible that convey messages of peace, love and remembrance.

Sleep on now, and take your rest.   
Matthew 26:45

He that endureth to the end shall be saved.   
Matthew 10:22

I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live.

John 11:25

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:1

…All things work together for good to them that love God.

Romans 8:28

…Be thou faith unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Revelation 2:10

Personal Quotes and Sayings

You can also adorn the headstone with personal messages and quotes to express your lovefor the deceased.

"Here lies a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who always cared."

"Here lies a son, brother, husband, and father who always put his family first."

"Life was a journey and now it’s time to rest."

"I will stop fighting life when life stops fighting me."

"My last ride will be to Heaven."

"The Lord is now my caretaker."

"Lying peacefully for eternity"

"We will cherish you always…"

"We will never forget you."

"May you rejoice in the arms of the Lord for eternity.”

Headstone Poems

Shorts poems also add a personal touch to the headstone. You can either create a poem for your loved one yourself or extract verses from poems you like. Here’s one:

A million times we’ve needed you,

A million times we’ve cried.

If love alone could have saved you,

You never would have died.

If all the world was ours to give,

We would give it, yes, and more,

To see you coming up the steps,

And walking through the door.

To hear your voice and see your smile,

To sit and talk a while,

To be with you that same old way,

Would be our fondest day.

A heart of gold stopped beating

Two smiling eyes closed to rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

General Epitaphs

You can also make use of general and simple inscriptions on the headstone. Some ideas are:

Earth has no sorrow that heaven can not heal

May the journey on your next adventure be as joy-filled as your time with us. See you soon!

Don’t mourn my loss, whatever you do  
My leaving brings you closer to the loved ones
I have left behind and all the joys the future holds

You taught all that knew you what courage meant. And have shown us an example in death as you did in life. God give me strength in my life without you.