Cover image was created using canva
The use of epitaphs on gravestones is something that has been in existence for thousands of years now. This originated from the ancient Greek practice where short words were used to describe the personalities, life and time of the dead. However, this culture has spread worldwide and it's been used in every country who practices the method of buring the Dead 6 ft below the ground. This practice was and is still been used to commemorate and honor the dead and their services to humanity through the various types of epitaphs, some can be direct to describe the person and some can play on words to make it have deep meanings.
In the course of my research, there are different types of epitaphs and they are used based on who the person that died is. Even in my country Nigeria we have adopted the use engraving of epitaphs on people's tomb, something about my country is that they are always picked forward and blunt about people's personalities and their life matters. So I believe that unlike Shakespeare's poetic form of writing they would want to spill out exactly what they feel from the bottom of your heart. Most of what is constantly written in Nigerian epitaphs are "in loving memory of" ,"rest in peace" , "in remembrance" followed by who they are survived by. But in all, epitaphs are a great means to communicate even to a stranger how a person has lived. One Time I saw a tombstone and the description of the person's life engraved on the stone gave me a brief idea of how the person lived and how he or she was cherished.
Recently, I was watching a movie titled "ordinary Angels" 2024, it is a newly released movie where a mother died leaving her children, two girls at a very tender age with their father. it was so sad because the younger child was gradually dying of failed liver disease, it was so tough for the family that even the grandmother had to come and help out with the bill, 9ffer support to the family and take care of the kids and their home. At a point in the movie the father and the children went to visit the tomb of their mother and the epitaph on the tomb explained how the family felt about their mother and wife passing away at such equity time.
A screenshot from the scene in the movie where the epitaph was displayed.
From the above image the epitaph reads "her wings were ready but our hearts were not" this goes to simply cannot that the family will not ready to lose her as at the time they did and it's still leaves a great dent in their lives. Mere looking at these words brings about emotional and psychological feelings about what the family is going through.
Here lies a soul who walked with grace,
In life's grand dance, they found their place.
Though now they rest beneath the sod,
Their spirit lives on, forever awed."
This is another eye catching epitaph that is poetic as it uses language to elevate humans imagination in a subjective, I personally like this epitaph because it's in a few words summarizes the life and legacy of an individual while exploring their qualities. The words are filled with deep meaning that emotionally and psychologically leaves the audience in awe of the diseased life. it simply explains that the individual had live a meaningful and purposeful life and has contributed immensely to humanity by several means. Also having lived fully well it is now time to rest and be fulfilled. The last Statement of the poem on the epitaph explains that despite living a life of dignity,the deseased legacy will continue to live on in the heart of those who loves him or her and would continue to be an inspiration to the world left behind.
In conclusion, epitaphs are not a bad thing and I would like for one to be increased on my team because they leave meaningful explanations of what the individual has achieved in life in just few sentences.
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