Quite often gravestones, through the epitaph or inscription, can offer information relating to the personality and or the professional or personal achievements of the deceased. In some cases they can tell us the place of residence or address and even the circumstances that led to their death.

Epitaphs can take many forms or be derived from many sources. Sometimes they were taken from the scriptures. A biblical verse was often chosen to highlight a virtuous quality of the deceased. Alternatively epitaphs were written to show professional achievements, perhaps in medicine or commerce, or service to the local community or may be efforts in improving human rights and working conditions.

Death cannot seal within the tomb,

The fragrance of so sweet a bloom.

Her life was moved by self-defying love,

After toil comes peaceful rest.

Peace to the soul of he who resteth here,

A man of honest worth and heart sincere.
This praise shall rest above his honoured dust,
His deeds were upright and his actions just.