Styles and Techniques: Epitaph

Epitaphs are brief little poems that are inscribed on tombstones. They praise deceased people, and they usually, but not always, are comprised of rhyming lines.

Here lies Dan, beloved of all

He held himself while others crawled

But now he's gone, the prospect's black

We're pretty sure he won't come back

Most epitaphs are meant to be mournful. However, despite the fact that there is rarely anything funny in death, there are huge amounts of comical epitaphs. Many epitaphs are unintentionally, and occasionally intentionally, amusing. Apparently, the family stonecutters did not realize how future generations would look upon their attempts to venerate loved ones who had passed on. At the following link is a compilation of humorous epitaphs.

http://www.webpanda.com/ponder/epitaphs.htm

Naturally, epitaphs are not something to spend your free time writing. But I spent twenty minutes just reading and laughing at all the funny epitaphs at the link. If you get a few minutes, or need a laugh, I would recommend reading them yourself.

~ Adam B.