Some tombstone inscriptions from the 18th century that I found in a book on Rattray Parish, Perthshire, Scotland: This one was 1754.
“Remember man impartial fate knocks at the cottage and the palace gate.
Life’s span forbids these to extend thy cares and stretch thy hopes beyond thy years.
Night soon will seize and you must go to frightful ghosts and dismal shades below.”
“Not gone from memory nor from love
but to our Father’s home above.”
“We loved them much, we loved them well.
We loved them more than tongue can tell.
God loved them too and thought it best
To take them home with Him to rest.”
Have you given any thought to what thoughts/words you’d want inscribed onto your tombstone?
We probably ought to think about making those plans so as not to burden our loved ones. Also, we should write our own obituary – or at least provide your survivors with elements you would like included. After all, your grandchildren might not know you attended umpteen years of genealogy conferences, or joined the service, or traveled around the world after college, or other interesting things that just might not have come up in conversation (or might have been forgotten – especially at a stressful time)…but those things certainly make for interesting reading!