Why Do People Put Rocks on a Gravestone?
No one knows exactly how the tradition of placing small stones at gravesites began. This is a common Jewish practice that is sometimes shared by other cultures, and may have its origins in ancient burial rites, although it serves modern purposes as well.
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Marking the Gravestone
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Before the days of graveyards and cemeteries, stones were placed atop a grave to mark the site until a permanent headstone was installed.
History
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In ancient Israel and Celtic Europe, smaller stones were used to construct cairns that marked graves, rather than the traditional single headstone now used.
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Theories/Speculation
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In some cultures, large stones were placed atop graves or in front of above-ground tombs either to discourage grave robbers or, in more superstitious places, to keep the spirits of the dead from leaving the burial place.
Function
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Unlike perishable flowers, stones are a permanent record of visits to the deceased and thus a source of comfort to family members.
Significance
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Holding a stone and then releasing it on a grave is a tangible reminder that you can hold the deceased close in your heart and memory, and yet physically release that person and move on.
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