A Glossary of Terms

Whether you’re researching family history, planning a memorial, or simply curious about cemetery architecture, understanding the terminology used for cemetery monuments can be helpful. This glossary covers some of the most common terms you might encounter when exploring or discussing cemetery monuments.

Glossary:

1. Headstone: A vertical stone marker placed at the head of a grave, typically inscribed with the deceased’s name and dates.
2. Footstone: A smaller marker placed at the foot of a grave, often with initials or a shortened version of information on the headstone.
3. Plaque: A flat, commemorative tablet, usually made of metal or stone, attached to a monument or placed on the ground.
4. Cenotaph: A monument erected in honor of a person or group whose remains are elsewhere.
5. Obelisk: A tall, four-sided pillar that tapers to a pyramidal top.
6. Mausoleum: A free-standing building designed to house the remains of one or more deceased individuals.
7. Columbarium: A structure with niches for storing funeral urns containing cremated remains.
8. Ledger stone: A large, flat stone placed horizontally over a grave.
9. Stele: An upright stone slab or pillar bearing an inscription or design.
10. Sarcophagus: A stone coffin, often decorated and displayed above ground.
11. Angel statue: A sculptural monument in the form of an angel, often symbolizing guidance or protection.
12. Epitaph: An inscription on a tombstone in memory of the deceased.
13. Base: The bottom portion of a monument that supports the main structure.
14. Die: The main body of a monument, usually where the inscription is carved.
15. Cap: The top piece of a monument, often decorative.
16. Finial: An ornamental top or crown of a monument.
17. Grave marker: A general term for any type of monument identifying a burial site.
18. Monolith: A single, upright block of stone used as a monument.
19. Sculpture: A three-dimensional artistic monument, often depicting a person, animal, or symbol.
20. Tomb: A structure or vault for burying the dead.

Understanding these terms can enhance your appreciation of cemetery art and architecture, as well as assist in discussions with memorial designers or cemetery staff. Remember that styles and terminology may vary slightly depending on cultural, religious, or regional traditions.

1. Box tomb: A raised, rectangular monument resembling a box or chest, often with a flat top. It doesn’t actually contain remains, which are buried beneath.
2. Cradle grave: A monument consisting of a headstone and footstone connected by side rails, creating a bed-like appearance. The interior space is sometimes filled with plants or decorative elements.
3. Table tomb: A flat stone slab raised on legs or pillars, resembling a table.
4. Pedestal tomb: A tall, column-like monument on a base, often topped with an urn or other decorative element.
5. Chest tomb: Similar to a box tomb but with a pitched or gabled top resembling a roof.
6. Barrel vault: An arched structure over a grave, often partially underground.
7. Cairn: A mound or stack of rough stones used as a memorial or burial marker.
8. Crypt: An underground chamber used as a burial vault, often found beneath churches or mausoleums.
9. Exedra: A semicircular recess or monument with a bench-like seat, derived from ancient Greek and Roman architecture.
10. Pyramid tomb: A small-scale pyramid used as a grave marker or mausoleum, inspired by ancient Egyptian architecture.
11. Reliquary: A container for relics, which may be incorporated into larger monuments.
12. Shaft tomb: A deep, vertical burial chamber, often marked by a monument at ground level.
13. Tree-stump tombstone: A monument carved to resemble a tree stump, popular in the late 19th century and often associated with the Woodmen of the World fraternal organization.
14. Wedge tomb: A prehistoric tomb type found mainly in Ireland, consisting of an elongated chamber with a sloping roof.
15. Whispering wall: A curved wall designed so that a whisper at one end can be heard clearly at the other, sometimes found in memorial gardens.

These additional structures showcase the diversity of cemetery architecture and memorial designs across different cultures and time periods. Many of these structures serve not only as markers for the deceased but also as works of art and historical artifacts in their own right.

When visiting cemeteries, you may encounter various combinations and variations of these structures. Each tells a unique story about the individuals memorialized and the cultural context of their time.