Epitaph

An epitaph (from Greek ἐπιτάφιος epitaphios 'a funeral oration' from ἐπί epi 'at, over' and τάφος taphos 'tomb') is a short text honoring a deceased person. Strictly speaking, it refers to text that is inscribed on a tombstone or plaque, but it may also be used in a figurative sense. Some epitaphs are specified by the person themselves before their death, while others are chosen by those responsible for the burial. An epitaph may be written in prose or in poem verse; poets have been known to compose their own epitaphs prior to their death, as did William Shakespeare.Epitaph painted by Guidon Reni, for the knight van Ertborn de WitteGrave of Selena at Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas citing Isaiah 25:8 writingsEpitaph for heart of Frédéric ChopinGrave of W. B. Yeats; Drumecliff, Co. SligoLengthy epitaph for Johann Wauer a (German pastor), died 1728, concluding with a short Biblical quotationThe epitaph on voice actor Mel Blanc's tombstoneInscription at Heather O'Rourke's cryptEzzatollah Sahabi, Glory of Iran and his patriotic daughter HalehA folksy epitaph to an English village blacksmith in Houghton, Cambridgeshire, UKThe gravestone of comedian, writer and actor Spike Milligan showing the notable epitaphGrave of Mary Kay Bergman, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills). Note that it features etchings of characters she voiced on South Park. An epitaph (from Greek ἐπιτάφιος epitaphios 'a funeral oration' from ἐπί epi 'at, over' and τάφος taphos 'tomb') is a short text honoring a deceased person. Strictly speaking, it refers to text that is inscribed on a tombstone or plaque, but it may also be used in a figurative sense. Some epitaphs are specified by the person themselves before their death, while others are chosen by those responsible for the burial. An epitaph may be written in prose or in poem verse; poets have been known to compose their own epitaphs prior to their death, as did William Shakespeare. Most epitaphs are brief records of the family, and perhaps the career, of the deceased, often with a common expression of love or respect—for example, 'beloved father of ...'—but others are more ambitious. From the Renaissance to the 19th century in Western culture, epitaphs for notable people became increasingly lengthy and pompous descriptions of their family origins, career, virtues and immediate family, often in Latin. Notably, the Laudatio Turiae, the longest known Ancient Roman epitaph, exceeds almost all of these at 180 lines; it celebrates the virtues of an honored wife, probably of a consul. Some are quotes from holy texts, or aphorisms. One approach of many epitaphs is to 'speak' to the reader and warn them about their own mortality. A wry trick of others is to request the reader to get off their resting place, inasmuch as the reader would have to be standing on the ground above the coffin to read the inscription. Some record achievements (e.g., past politicians note the years of their terms of office). Nearly all (excepting those where this is impossible by definition, such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) note name, year or date of birth, and date of death. Many list family members and the relationship of the deceased to them (for example, 'Father / Mother / Son / Daughter of'). Good frend for Iesvs sake forebeare,To digg the dvst encloased heare. Bleste be man spares thes stones,And cvrst be he moves my bones. (In modern spelling):Good friend for Jesus' sake forbear,To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones,And cursed be he that moves my bones. Here lies One whose Name was writ in Water Cast a cold eyeOn life, on death.Horseman, pass by! Heroes and Kings your distance keep;In peace let one poor poet sleep,Who never flattered folks like you;Let Horace blush and Virgil too. Sleep after toyle, port after stormie seas,Ease after warre, death after life, does greatly please.