Epitaph facts for kids
An epitaph is a short message written to remember someone who has died. You usually find these messages carved onto a tombstone or a special plaque. They are a way to honor the person and keep their memory alive.
Most epitaphs include the person's name and the years they were born and died. Sometimes, they also mention what the person was known for, like their job or a special skill. It's interesting to know that some people even write their own epitaphs before they pass away!
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What is an Epitaph?
An epitaph is more than just words on a stone. It's a lasting tribute. It helps us remember people and their lives. These messages can be serious, funny, or even inspiring. They tell a small part of a person's story.
Where are Epitaphs Found?
Epitaphs are most often found in cemeteries on tombstones or gravestones. But you can also see them on monuments, memorials, and plaques in other places. These places might be churches, parks, or public buildings. They mark a spot where someone is remembered.
Types of Epitaphs
Epitaphs come in many forms. Some are very simple, just giving a name and dates. Others might include a short poem, a Bible verse, or a famous quotation. Some are even written with humor, reflecting the person's personality. The choice of words often tells you something about the person or their family.
Why Do We Use Epitaphs?
Epitaphs serve several important purposes. They help us remember and honor those who have passed away. They also provide a place for family and friends to visit and reflect. For historians, epitaphs can be valuable records, offering clues about people from the past. They connect us to history and to the lives of others.
Famous Epitaphs
Many famous people have interesting epitaphs. These often reflect their work or their outlook on life.
- William Shakespeare: The famous playwright has a warning on his grave in England. It asks people not to move his bones.
- Mel Blanc: The voice actor for Bugs Bunny and other cartoon characters has a fun epitaph. It says, "That's all folks!" This was his famous sign-off.
- Spike Milligan: This comedian's epitaph is in Irish Gaelic. It translates to "I told you I was ill." This shows his sense of humor even after death.
- Frédéric Chopin: The heart of this famous composer is kept in a church in Warsaw, Poland. Its epitaph reminds us of his musical genius.
These examples show how epitaphs can be unique and memorable. They help us remember the person's spirit.
Images for kids
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Epitaph on the base of the Haymarket Martyrs' Monument, Waldheim Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois
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Ledger stone with epitaph in ledger lines of Sir John Harsyck (d.1384), South Acre Church, Norfolk
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Epitaph painted by Guidon Reni, for the knight van Ertborn de Witte
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Epitaph for heart of Frédéric Chopin
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Grave of W. B. Yeats; Drumecliff, Co. Sligo
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Lengthy epitaph for Johann Wauer a (German pastor), died 1728, concluding with a short Biblical quotation
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The epitaph on voice actor Mel Blanc's tombstone
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Inscription at Heather O'Rourke's crypt
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Ezzatollah Sahabi, Glory of Iran and his patriotic daughter Haleh
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A folksy epitaph to an English village blacksmith in Houghton, Cambridgeshire, UK
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The gravestone of comedian, writer and actor Spike Milligan showing the notable epitaph
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Grave of Mary Kay Bergman, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills). Note that it features etchings of characters she voiced on South Park.
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The epitaph of the preacher Berthold de Wyrbna (Dominican) from 1316 in Szprotawa, the oldest tombstone in Silesia, Poland.
See also
In Spanish: Epitafio para niños
