With the extensive selection of custom memorials, almost any symbol or message can be added to stone grave markers. However, despite a plethora of options, there are numerous well-established symbols, many of which are religious, that tend to crop up repeatedly.

Below is a guide to some of the more common ones, courtesy of the cemetery engraving experts at Quincy Memorials in Norfolk County, MA:

• Upside Down Torch: Torches that have been turned upside down represent eternal life. Upon being inverted most flames would go out. A lit torch in this position symbolizes the eternal nature of the soul.
• Open Book: Open books often represent the preferred holy text of the deceased, such as the Bible or Torah. In Christianity, it’s sometimes used to represent the Book of Life, which is said to contain the names of those who will ascend to heaven.
• Serpent Symbols: By shedding their skin, snakes have become symbols of life everlasting. This symbolism is especially strong in cases where a snake is eating its tail. When wrapped around a staff, serpents can also symbolize the Greek messenger god Hermes or the field of medicine, making them popular on custom memorials for doctors and scientists.
• Winged Hourglass: Hundreds of years ago, hourglasses were popular headstone symbols showing time had run out. Optimistically, however, the wings represent a soul freed from time, joining the other souls in eternity.
• Square & Compass: This is a symbol of the fraternal society of Freemasonry. Any time you see it on a custom memorial stone, you can be certain the person interred there was a long-standing Freemason who took their membership seriously.
• Lamb: Lambs are typically Christian symbols that evoke purity and innocence. They appear most commonly on grave markers for deceased children and those of the Christian faith.

Are you considering a symbol for your loved one’s headstone? With over six decades in business, Quincy Memorials is known for the most delicate, skillfully-engraved custom memorials in Massachusetts. Call (617) 471-0250 to discuss your design idea, or visit online to browse galleries of their work.