It is always difficult to bury loved ones, but this cup, unfortunately, will not pass anyone. The sages say that going to a different world is a farewell lesson that everyone should teach their children. It is very important that he be worthy. Seeing off on the last journey, one should not forget about the epitaphs at the monument. Short, touching words will help to cope with grief and will establish an invisible connection between the living and those who left this world.
From the history
When did the epitaphs on monuments first appear? It is difficult to establish a specific date, but inscriptions on sarcophagi were already found among the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians and noble persons from China and Japan. In ancient Greece, it was customary to pronounce a farewell word at the cemetery in front of the grave of the deceased. “Above the grave” - this is how the noun “epitaph” is translated from ancient Greek.
At first, the memorial words had a poetic form and glorified the heroes who died on the battlefield. Then they began to devote to the nobility, and put brief statements on stone gravestones. This tradition is rooted in many countries, including the Slavs. But this happened only in the 16th century, because earlier it was customary to install ordinary stones on the graves. At first they were decorated with ornaments, then epitaphs appeared on the monument.
Short statements were more often scriptural quotes. They reminded of eternal values or characterized the buried. This was a kind of dialogue between the dead and the living.
Soon the epitaphs turned into an independent genre of literary creation, in which A. Pushkin and P. Vyazemsky, K. Batyushkov and M. Tsvetaeva succeeded. For example, the following lines belong to M. Tsvetaeva’s pen:
To the one who lies here under the spring grass, God forgive me, evil intention and sin! He was sick, exhausted, alien. He loved angels and children's laughter.
The meaning of the inscription
When a famous person leaves, an obituary appears in the press, in which the life path of the deceased and his merits are outlined in short form. It has no size restrictions, but is designed for anyone to read it to the end. The more merits a person has, the stronger the desire to tell his descendants about him. This is possible with the help of a grave inscription, which should be brief but informative.
What kind of load can epitaphs bear on a monument? Short phrases allow you to:
- to summarize the life of the deceased;
- convey the feelings and emotions of friends and relatives;
- reveal the hallmarks of man.
What material is better to use? One that is least affected by changes and retains the inscription is not for one generation. Engraved inscriptions on granite will last hundreds of years.
Where do people get the content for epitaph on monuments?
- From the bible.
- Use Latin expressions that have become winged.
- Quote from the classics.
- Phrases are chosen from the works of the dead.
- Take advantage of the offers of ritual firms.
- Compose yourself.
Epitaphs on monuments: historical examples
Each person has his own philosophy of life and a special attitude to death. It is known that Oleg Anofriev, a famous actor and singer who voiced the Bremen Town Musicians, was preparing for his departure. Long before his death, he knew what inscription would be on his grave. These are lines from a song to the poems of L. Derbenev, sounded in his performance in the film "Sannikov Land":
There is only a moment…
Many famous personalities in their will indicated the inscription that they would like to see on their monument. So, the outstanding mathematician and physicist Andre-Marie Ampere, at his request, engraved the phrase: "Finally happy."
Outstanding mathematician and philosopher Gottfried Leibniz devoted only two words, but what! "The genius of Leibniz." Benjamin Franklin was not only a philosopher and naturalist, but also a freedom fighter. On his grave you can read:
He pulled out lightning from the sky, and then tyrants from the tyrants.
Are there any very personal epitaphs on the monument? Short, touching messages from loved ones? An example can be an inscription on behalf of Nina Griboedova to her husband, the author of "Woe from Wit, " Alexander Griboedov:
Your mind and deeds are immortal in the Russian memory, but why did my love survive you?
Interestingly, the second part of the phrase is often used for tombstones today.
Children care
Life injustice is the death of children with living parents who have to bury them. Heartbroken, they most often pick up expressions that convey an extreme degree of despair: "Sleep, son, sound sleep. We will come to you soon."
The most touching epitaphs on the monument are dedicated specifically to children. If they have already gone a certain way, you can summarize life. Examples:
- "Let the earthly way be brief, but the memory is eternal."
- "Thank you for letting us be proud of you."
- "You have not left - you repeated in children."
- "Stepping from childhood to eternity."
- "He went from heaven to us, where are the angels, where are those without sin."
Transmitting feelings and emotions, it is very important that epitaphs carry a light message to the monument. Short, touching, they are able to alleviate sorrow and establish an invisible connection with the untimely departed daughter or son:
- "You are gone from life, but not from the heart."
- "Ready to give a lot, so that time will turn back."
- "We will keep love forever in our hearts, while we are alive, you love!"
- "There is no hopeless sorrow in the world when children leave us."
It is very important to preserve the memory of a person, emphasizing his uniqueness. Parents want to be proud of their children, tell the whole world about their advantages and achievements:
- "You can never make up for the loss, but with us your good deeds."
- "You hurt the soul of everyone, now it will find peace here."
- "You defended the country, children, family. I am proud of you, son, but I grieve."
For spouse
It is difficult to lose a person with whom a significant path has been traveled hand in hand. Sometimes you can hear the opinion that the epitaphs on the monument to her husband will not facilitate the experience of the second half. For them, I want to give an interesting story that happened in real life.
Late in the evening, an alarmed young man ran into the cemetery of the Austrian capital. He wanted to lose his life and was looking for a secluded place. where no one will disturb him. While he wandered among the graves and crypts, his eyes involuntarily stopped at the grave inscriptions, and one of them made him linger. In it, the young man found everything that he needed at that moment: direct appeal, a call to rest, words about the transience of life, support and the wish of happiness. The smell of death and the wisdom of saying sobered up the young man, and he abandoned his venture. Today, his name is known to all lovers of literature. This is Stefan Zweig, whose life was saved by simple epitaphs on monuments.
Recognizing the importance of the word, you need to understand: a brief phrase is an appeal not only to the deceased, but also to everyone who stops at the grave. Let people understand how interesting and important for loved ones a person is resting under a gravestone.
- For those who are not deprived of humor, you can offer the following inscription: "If not for this place, dear, you and I could drink again!".
- If a person left abruptly, the following statement is possible: "You just lay down to rest, and your body was immediately plunged into the morgue."
- Pride for a loved one can be expressed by the words: "Here under the stove is the best of men, there are a thousand reasons to grieve for him."
Most often, the couple regret that they rarely spoke words of love to each other. How to smooth out this experience? This can be done with the statement presented in the picture below.
Ideas for Parents
Even if parents leave at different times, they are often buried nearby and a common monument is erected. A single inscription can be engraved on it. The shorter it is, the more philosophical meaning you can find in it. We offer similar epitaphs to the monument to parents:
- "There is no death."
- "Together forever".
- "It is impossible to forget."
- "Rest in peace."
The main words that I want to convey to my parents are gratitude. For giving life, brought up, put on its feet. What phrases with the expression of this feeling can be engraved on the stove?
- "According to you, I will verify life and remember until death."
- "The land is empty without you."
- "Thank you all from the children and grandchildren."
Epitaphs on the monument to parents can be a message alive on their behalf, a kind of testament.
- "Love everything as we loved, live as if they were calling tomorrow."
- "Time is fleeting … love is eternal!"
It is very appropriate to use the poems of prominent poets. For example, such lines:
Make sense of every moment, hours and days of an implacable run. (R. Kipling).
Words to father
Professional implementation is very important for a man, therefore, a grave inscription can testify to his achievements:
- "I have the honor." A similar phrase is suitable for officers and military personnel.
- "He who saved the people called heaven." The statement is appropriate for doctors, firefighters and rescuers.
- "You were a father to hundreds of boys." The inscription indicates that in front of people is a teacher, trainer or factory master.
The epitaph on the monument to his father can serve as a life motto, which can tell a lot about a person:
- "If not me, then who?"
- "Memento mori". This winged expression is known to all. Translated from Latin, it means: "Remember death."
- "The best is yet to come". This motto is stamped on the Frank Sinatra tombstone.
- "Hurry up slowly." Another popular expression in Latin as follows: "Festina lente".
- "Don't cheat on a dream."
If there is a strong emotional connection, the daughter or son still wants to engrave a touching message to the departed father. It can be, for example, like this: "I still speak with you for hours, advice and thoughts, as before, I cherish."
Beloved mom
The best lines of the most famous poets are dedicated to the mother woman. Epitaphs on the monument to mom may contain touching excerpts from the poems of V. Gin:
How long have you sang songs to me, bending over the cradle …
Even the name of this poem, turned into a song, can be engraved on stone. It speaks of emotional closeness and spiritual connection: "Talk to me …"
Darling, don’t leave, wait! You have always been a shrine to me. And on the path bequeathed to you, as in early childhood, I stand today. (R. Ivnev).
For those who are looking for short epitaphs at the monument to mom, the following lines are suitable:
- "It is impossible to believe in death."
- "We will keep the warmth of your soul forever."
- "You lived for us … you are alive for us!".
- "Another angel in heaven."
- "As long as there is a memory, there will be no death!".
