Time inexorably continues to run. We all once came to this world and we all someday left it. Nothing lasts forever and we are all mortal. Death is the inevitable ending that any living being comes to in his life. And throughout life, people always face the fact of human death.
It is not given to know how much is given to us or to our relatives. News of someone’s demise may come to us suddenly. At that very moment when we least expect it.
Mourning vanity begins - the organization of a funeral, a funeral, etc. All this, of course, takes place, but how can we express our attitude to those who left us, our feelings for them, our sadness? How to show that part of us left with the dead? In addition to our thoughts, there is a way to which they resort very often - this is the inscription on the monument.
In the presented article, we will talk specifically about their design. After all, the way tombstones and monuments look, carries information about the person who has lived, and about the attitude of people towards him. And for many this is very important.
How did this tradition come about?
The inscription on the monument is called the epitaph and is officially considered a literary genre that appeared thanks to the poets of ancient Greece. Translated from the ancient Greek language means "above the grave."
In Russia, the posthumous inscription on the monument appeared only in the 17th century. Prior to this, only crosses and tablets with the names and years of life of the dead stood above the graves. The epitaphs that appeared carried a deep meaning. Sometimes they even contained facts from the life of a deceased person.
Over time, long thoughtful inscriptions changed. They became more capacious, concise. It happens that an epitaph is associated with an epigram. Writing on tombstones of ironic epitaphs became popular first in Europe, and later in Russia and other countries.
Although the main way of expressing one’s feelings is through mournful, tragic epitaphs, there are no restrictions and rules here. There were times when funeral rhymes and even jokes were written on tombstones. The only unspoken rule is not to write about the deceased badly, in a rude manner, etc.
It is also worth saying a few words about how the inscription is applied to the monument. There are two main ways - engraving and applying false letters. It’s not worthwhile to go into details of the process in detail now, but it makes sense to clarify that there are several types of engraving: manual, laser, sandblasting and automated mechanical.
The main material used for the manufacture of monuments is granite (most often used), but they also take marble, gabbro, Indian stone. These are the most durable and durable materials.
But in fact, the tombstone above the grave of the deceased or what the inscription on the monument will be made of is not so important. More importantly, what attention is paid to this person during his lifetime, what are the relations between him and his family. No wonder they say that people do not value what they have at the moment. Therefore, often tell your loved ones that you love and appreciate them. After all, even the brightest and most colorful epitaph will never replace real and sincere words spoken during life.
