• angels: God’s messengers and guardians

• archways, pillars and gates: passage into the next life

• book: the Bible, the book of life

• broken tree stump or pillar: a life cut short

• completed pillar or column: a complete and full life

• doves: the Holy Spirit

• forefinger pointing down: God reaching down for the soul

• forefinger pointing up: passage of the soul to heaven

• half-carved tombstone: transition from life to death

• handshake: God welcoming the soul into heaven

• heart: a blissful soul (Colonial era), romantic love (Victorian era to today)

• hourglass: flight of time

• lambs: purity, gentleness, innocence

• palm leaves and lilies: resurrection

• rose: motherhood, beauty

• skeleton: death

• skull and crossbones: mortal remains of the deceased

• soul effigy: the immortal soul

• tree stumps: usually Woodmen of the World member

• urn: death of the flesh

• willow: mourning and earthly sorrow

• winged death head: mortal remains of the deceased