How to Help Make Epitaphs

Epitaphs are found in many cemetaries.

Epitaphs are the words carved into a tombstone to help memorialize an individual. These poems or short verses help distinguish graves and allow for easy identification for visitors. People sometimes write their own epitaph, but often someone else chooses it after the person dies. Epitaphs can be serious, funny or use a famous quotation, but they are generally around two to six lines in length. An epitaph should focus on the most important achievements in the life of an individual.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Paper

Instructions

1. Write down any thoughts that you have about yourself or the person for whom you are helping to make the epitaph. Think of important events or achievements in this person's life, such as having children, winning awards or doing volunteer work.

2. Use the Internet to browse through existing epitaphs to get ideas. There are many quotes available on the Internet relating to epitaphs. You can use an existing quote if you do not feel capable of writing a personal epitaph poem.

3. Consider the individual's personal values. If she was religious, you may want to consider using Bible verses in the epitaph.

4. Talk to those close to the individual for whom you are writing the epitaph. Ask them to list the individual's achievements, as well as what they valued in him. Keep this information in one place.

5. Write 10 lines of the individual's epitaph based upon the information you have accumulated. Put this aside for a few days before returning to it. Choose the best lines from the epitaph with fresh eyes.

6. Show others the epitaph that you have written. Ask for feedback on it.

References

• University of Northern Iowa: Epitaphs at Greenwood Cemetery: Kerry Lust
• Decatur City Schools: Epitaphs