While it is still cold and snowy here in the Northeastern United States, spring is just around the corner. For many genealogists, nice weather expands the possibilities for genealogical research because you can take your research outside as you search cemeteries for the graves of your ancestors. While I have visited the graves of some of my ancestors, I have not seen any headstones that are out of the ordinary.
Although death itself is not funny, sometimes the inscription on a person’s headstone is. A humorous epitaph is a good way to let the memory of the deceased’s wit live on. I enjoy a good laugh as much as anyone, so I looked around to see if there are any funny epitaphs that I have not seen yet. Of course, I found some and here they are.
I love food, but I am hoping that my eating habits do not become the topic of my epitaph, as they did for these folks:
“She drank good ale, good punch and wine and lived til the age of ninety-nine”
“Here lie the bones of Joseph Jones who ate while he was able. But once overfed, he dropt down dead and fell beneath the table. When from the tomb, to meet his doom, he arises amidst sinners. Since he must dwell in heaven or hell, take him – whichever gives the best dinners.”
My mother-in-law, who owns a specialty foods shop which sells unique beers and wines, would appreciate this one:
“G. Winch, the brewer, lies buried here. In life he was both hale and stout. Death brought him to his bitter bier. Now in heaven he hops about.”
I am somewhat frugal, but I guess some people take it to extremes, or at least others perceive that they do:
“Beneath this stone, a lump of clay lies stingy Jimmy Wyatt. Who died one morning just at ten and saved a dinner by it.”
Sometimes, it feels like I do housework all day long. Apparently I’m not the only one who has ever felt that way. Consider the epitaph of Mary Weary, Housewife. “Dere Friends I am going where washing ain’t done, or cooking or sewing. Don’t mourn for me now or weep for me never, for I go to do nothing forever and ever!”
I enjoyed finding these funny epitaphs – of course, reading them made me wonder how I will be remembered some day.