What do you want,or [i]not[/i] want, on your tombstone?

Interesting, I have never really thought about that. I would just like something simple, and that points to Christ.

 

HE KNEW GOD

 

Interesting poll, Alcott.

I hope I'm not ready for a stone quite yet, but I have given some thought to what I might possibly want, and this is what I'm thinking right now:

To put it in context, this is a line from a song, that has been a family favorite for 4 generations. It was written by or in memory of S. R. Penick (thus the initials in the original poetry). Here's the words:

1. While trav'ling through the world below,
Where sore afflictions come,
My soul abounds with joy to know
That I will rest at home.

2. My soul's delight has been to sing
Of glorious days to come,
When I shall, with my God and King,
Forever rest at home.

3. Yes when my eyes are closed in death,
My body cease to roam,
I'll bid farewell to all below,
And meet my friends at home.

4. And then I want these lines to be
Inscribed upon my tomb,
"Here lies the dust of SRP,
His spirit sings at home."

Chorus:
Carry me home, when my life is o'er;
Then carry me to my long-sought home,
Where pain is felt no more.

 

The worst thing I've seen on a grave are faded flowers. I'm not one to frequent graveyards often, even though there are many friends and family of mine who's bodies are there. But that's all. They themselves are with God (if they were saved, and most of those I knew had great testimonies) and I don't see the point. In fact it's my personal opinon that you would give flowers to the person while they were alive to enjoy them, but that's just me.
Anyways, my pet peeve about the flowers is, if you ARE going to put flowers on a grave, change them when they fade! That's the worst thing I've seen.
The best thing so far has been my pastor's wife's grave. They have a headstone together, and on her side there is a Bible and Philipians 4:13 ingraved. It was her life verse, so it holds special meaning to those of us who knew her.

 

Abby, I see your point, but when you have people, like my grandfather, g-grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc, who are buried around the old country towns where they grew up, or spent their early married life or, late life, and you have the rest of the family who lives several hundred miles away, it is very hard to change the flowers on the graves before they fade.

My g-aunt, my grandmothers sister, still lived up in the "home area" and should would change the flowers and take care of the graves when the "perpetual care" people would let down on their jobs. Unfortunately, she died this past year and now the only family I have living up there my grandmother's brother and sister-in-law. Both are very frail and in very poor health. In fact, he just had a stroke here recently; one of many minor ones he has had over the last few years.

I understand your point because it would seem that those with the faded flowers have relatives that don't want to care for their graves, but, especially in small towns, such is many times not the case.

As for me, how about "He finally got married!" The date would be one day prior to my death date.

 

The "together forever" stuff is good sentiment but poor theology.

Be interested to know why half the respondents think that "taken by angels" is inappropriate.

 

I do frequent cemeteries quite a bit - not really a mordid thing! just interested in genealogy.

Maybe not the worst thing, but one of the saddest things I often see is an old tombstone that is cracked, broken, and barely readable, with the inscription, "Gone, but not forgotten." Thankfully God doesn't forget us.

Concerning flowers, I thought you might appreciate this poem, written by James Rowe:

"Wonderful things of men are said,
When they have passed away;
Flowers adorn the narrow bed
Over the lifeless clay.

Chorus:
Give me the roses while I live,
Something to cheer me on,
Useless the flowers you may give,
After the soul is gone.

Life is the time for words of praise,
Hands clasp with friendly smile,
Blessings to cheer a pilgrim's days,
Are always well worthwhile.

Chorus:
Give me the roses while I live,
Something to cheer me on,
Useless the flowers you may give,
After the soul is gone."

 

As for me I would like my name, date of birth and date of death, and a cross will do. It says enough. I hate seeing tumbled down rickety wooden crosses for folk who were too poor or too alone in the world for a more permanent momento. I hate the horrible rusty iron work of old plots with bleach fake flowers that look like bones.

Most of all I hate seeing a snake sunbaking on a tomb slab and disappearing under it when you go by.

Country cementries in Australia tend to be sun blasted and if you are lucky the Shire keeps the weeds down, which is why I like the lawn cementries which are more popular these days.

Yes I visit our family graves yearly usually on my father's or brother's anniversary and go and pay my respects for them and the others who are there.

 

Seriously:

I want my maiden name and 'daughter of', as well as my married name and 'wife of'. Makes it so much easier for future generations to trace the geneology on both sides of their families.

Jokingly:

"She did not win an award for the best housekeeper of the year, but her new home is SPOTLESS"

 

"I Told you I was sick"

 

I couldn't vote because I want to be cremated. Use the extra space to grow a tree.

However... if anyone has something to say about me, I hope it's that I made them feel loved.

 

"2 Cor 5:8"

Although "GOOD RIDDANCE!!" is what will probably end up on there on mine

 

I want nothing on my tomb stone because I don't want a tomb stone. I want to be wrapped in a tarp and thrown in a ditch.

I don't like graveyards, I don't like visiting gravesides. I don't want anyone visiting me.

I doubt it will happen the way I want it,but that is honestly how I feel.

Bill

 

Well, Bill. Do that up by Rockford cause I sure don't want to stumble upon it down my way!

 

Here's what I want on mine.

B. 1945 D. 2045

A Century of Grace

 

HS, I was born a year earlier than you so I am just aiming for 2044.

 

Scarlett, my relatives feel the same way so I've not had to defend my wishes.

Bill, if you'd just use the crematorium in N.W. Georgia you'd get your wish! They just piles bodies everywhere, threw them in a local lake and had them stacked in their offices! YUK!