Can You Identify the Grave Markers?

Grave markers can tell a lot about the deceased. Can you identify the different grave markers?

We walked around two graveyards last Monday night in my Beyond the Grave class. We identified many different types of grave markers at Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul and St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

At Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul we were able to go inside the church. Even though the lights were not on you could tell how grand and beautiful everything is.

The organ up in the balcony.

Here are some types of grave markers we saw. Some of the names of the grave markers are pretty self explanatory, whereas others need a little explanation.

Box Tomb

Box tombs are basically a box above the ground. The deceased are not always buried inside the box tomb, they can be buried under it.

Slanted die on base

Die on base is a headstone on a base, pretty simple. These can be fairly plain with just the name of the deceased and birth/death years, they can also be more elaborate.

Slanted die on base

According to findagrave.com, Lawrence Brodie "Larry" Deery, Sr. was married to Geraldine Strickland Deery. They were married for 37 years, Larry was he 95 when he passed. Three years later, his wife, Geraldine, passed at the age of 94. Here you can see they share the grave marker. This marker is fairly new compared to many of the other grave markers, they still bury loved ones in these churches, while it does not happen as often as it used to.

Sarcophagus 

On the sides of the sarcophagus there are torches upside down and still lit, this could represent an eternal life after death. The feet of the sarcophagus appear to be lions feet, which could represent the courage and determination of the soul.

Sarcophagus top

Bedstead

A bedstead has one end with the name and any other information of the deceased and the grave is framed, this can show the size of the deceased. Bedsteads and also called cradle graves, many babies and younger children were buried with grave markers like these. 

Column

Columns that are broken on the top can signify an early death or short life lived. 

Die on socket

A die on socket is two separate pieces that are put together with rods. As you can see this grave markers is broken, however you can see the rods used to put it together.

Die on socket 

Die on socket

Die on socket

Ledgers are basically really big headstones that are flat to the ground. Many times old headstones that have broken and lay flat on the ground, are often mistaken to be ledgers. Ledgers are bigger than regular headstone size, that is a good way to identify a ledger.

Ledger

A mausoleum is a building that loved ones are buried in. These can be very large and extravagant. many have multiple family members buried inside.

Mausoleum  

Mausoleum 

A pedestal tomb is tall and sits on a larger platform base. They can be topped with an urn or other significant symbols.   

Pedestal tomb

Government Issue

Government issued headstones are issued to anyone who was in the military who have passed. They will often have a symbol at the top to symbolize their religion.  

Lawn marker

Lawn markers are similar to ledger, but they are much smaller in size. These are often used at memorial garden cemeteries 

Cross

Monolith

A monolith is similar to a headstone, however it is taller and comes to a point at the top.















At St. Patrick's Catholic Church, we were not able to go inside the church. The outside of the church is brick and very tall, it was hard to get a full picture of the church, but it is very beautiful. I was able to find a few different grave markers and some that are similar to the above grave markers.


























Even though it is dark, you may be able to tell how tall the church is.

Die on base and cap

When we first walk into the graveyard we saw this grave, this is a die on base and cap. This is similar to a box tomb, but is different. This one is not a very boxy shape, it has more definition to it, which gives  a different look than others.

Die on socket

This die on socket grave maker has a very detailed young figure laying on its side, often times this will represent a young child that has passed.

According to findagrave.com, this marked I. M. Culliton, born 1853 and died 1854 and N. Culliton born 1855 and died 1858. It is always very sad when a young child passes, to lose a loved one is never easy but for the parents, Nicholas and Mary Culliton, to lose both of their children at very young had to be extremely hard.

Die on socket

Bellinger Family Grave

I noticed these grave markers fenced together, I thought they would be related in some way. According to findagrave.com these graves belong to the Bellinger family. It is interesting to know how many people are related. The Bellinger family history can be a bit confusing because many names were used several times, however, with birth/death years and some of their accomplishments it can be interesting to understand a family tree.

Cross

This cross marks the grave for Dr. John Bellinger. He was born in 1804 and died in 1806. According to findagrave.com, if I have all of the information correct, he was married three times and had three children. He is buried with two of his children, his first wife and her mother. His third child is buried in Confederate Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

His marker is designed very beautiful and has lots of details. I think this grave marker is my favorites I have seen in my Beyond the Grave class so far.

Bellinger grave marker

Beyond the Grave Class

To help identify the grave makers, Professor Harwood created two Prezis for us. Click here and here to view the Prezis.