ARCHITECTURAL

Archways, doors and gates: passageway into the next life

Benches: places of contemplation for mourners

Pillar or column, broken: life cut short or sudden death

ANIMALS

Bat: death; misfortune

Lamb: meekness, gentleness, innocence; God’s flock; most popular on children’s graves

Phoenix: resurrection

CLOTHING

Shoes, empty, one overturned: loss of a child

FIGURES

Angels, dropping flowers on grave: grief, mourning

Angels, pointing to heaven: rejoicing

Baby or child, naked: new life, innocence, purity

FRUITS, NUTS AND THE HARVEST

Acorn: strength, independence

Fruit: eternal plenty

Pineapple: welcome; perfection

Wheat: harvest, prosperity; deceased of full years

HANDS AND FINGERS

Forefinger pointing up: soul has gone to heaven

Handshake: God’s welcome into heaven and farewell to earthly existence

INITIALS

AAONMS: Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Masonic)

AASR: Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (Masonic)

BPOE: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

FOE: Fraternal Order of Eagles

IHC, IHS: the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek

IOOF: Independent Order of Odd Fellows

K of C: Knights of Columbus

MORTALITY

Bone: death

Candle: life

Clock: the march of time; usually stopped at hour of death

Winged death’s head: mortal remains of the deceased

OCCUPATIONS AND CRAFTS

Church with steeple: minister

Horses, two heads: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America

Scales of justice: lawyer

ORNAMENTAL

Basket: maternal body; fertility

Shield: protection; faith; defense of the spirit

TREES, PLANTS AND FLOWERS

Oak leaves: strength of faith

Olive tree or branch: reconciliation between God and man; peace

Thistle: Scottish heritage

Tree stump: life cut short, often members of Woodmen of the World

From the November 2002 issue of Family Tree Magazine