Cemeteries have long been known for their tranquility and architectural beauty. To convey the lives of the people buried beneath them, and the expectations for what comes after death, symbolism has long been part of gravestones. Many people who enjoy exploring old cemeteries will have noticed interesting symbols on some of the famous historical graves throughout the US.

Along with this renewed appreciation for historic cemeteries, comes the realization that we have forgotten the meaning behind many of the symbols and acronyms our ancestors left on their headstones. This book describes the meaning behind the symbols and architecture found in the historic graveyards of America.

• Why symbols matter
• The American burial landscapes
• Cemetery safety & etiquette
• The different types of American cemeteries
• The symbolic meaning of coins, stones, and seashells at gravesites
• Common Latin phrases on headstones
• Saints, angels, and other cemetery statuary
• Symbols for secret societies and clubs
• Different types of crosses
• Common cemetery architecture styles
• The symbolic meaning of plants, flowers, and trees
• Different types of headstone styles, monuments, and mausoleums
• Misc, Cemetery Symbols from A to Z