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What To Know When Composing An Epitaph
Setting up funeral arrangements is a job that entails a long list of details. These are usually left to a responsible member of the deceased's family or various tasks may be assigned to several individuals for less stress on one mourner. A key part of this duty is composing an epitaph worthy of the person it will represent.
This is a brief statement or phrase, sometimes a poem or prose, that is inscribed on an individual's headstone or commemorative plaque. It says something about the person it represents. There are several different forms this tribute can take, mostly dependent on the deceased's personality, life choices and who is writing it.
Practically every commemorative plaque or stone will bear information identifying the person. In the very least, this includes their name and typically a date for their birth and their death. While some opt to leave it at that, others choose to also add something extra like a sentiment, statement or further details about their life.
These additional statements are quite often short sentiments about how much the individual will be missed, how special they were or wishes for a peaceful afterlife. They might list their familial positions such as child, sibling, parent or spouse, or it may be a record of their time in the military or other organization. Spiritual scripture is also very commonly used.
Some individuals choose to write their own inscription prior to their death. This allows them to ensure that they get exactly what they want on their stone and gives them the freedom to be creative. Those with a keen sense of humor often take this opportunity to make a witty final remark or write an entertaining remark that will bring smiles to visitors for years to come.
Others may take this opportunity to provide a last bit of sage advice to all who visit their stone. This may be a suggestion to live life fully or any other lesson they might have learned while alive. There are no real rules when it comes to what one can have inscribed on their grave marker.
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