{"id":5879,"date":"2014-01-16T16:53:29","date_gmt":"2014-01-16T16:53:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=5879"},"modified":"2024-03-25T12:57:43","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T16:57:43","slug":"curious-funny-epitaphs-of-famous-people-the-not-so-famous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/curious-funny-epitaphs-of-famous-people-the-not-so-famous.html","title":{"rendered":"Curious & Funny Epitaphs of Famous People & the Not-So-Famous"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak presents some of the hilarious or unusual\u2014and, in some cases, quite touching\u2014epitaphs she has discovered. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.<\/em><\/p>\n

Are you an expert on some of the more famous epitaphs found on tombstones?<\/p>\n

To see if you are, take this handy Famous People\u2019s Tombstone Epitaphs quiz\u2014which you are welcome to share with your genealogy-loving and cemetery-sleuthing friends\u2014and then check your answers below.<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a><\/p>\n

Authors of Their Own Epitaphs<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you want to be certain you\u2019ll be remembered in a unique way, then write your own epitaph. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) did it, so why not you? Besides, it\u2019s a great way to make sure you get in the last words you want!<\/p>\n

Thomas Jefferson\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of the two, Thomas Jefferson\u2019s epitaph is the more serious. Prior to his death on 4 July 1826, he wrote:<\/p>\n

\u201cHere lies Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, and of the Statutes establishing religious toleration in the Commonwealth of Virginia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Thomas<\/a>
Macon Weekly Telegraph (Macon, Georgia), 2 January 1855, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Benjamin Franklin\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

I prefer Dr. Franklin\u2019s epitaph; he humorously described himself as \u201cfood for worms\u201d prior to his passing on 17 April 1790.<\/p>\n

\"Benjamin<\/a>
Massachusetts Centinel (Boston, Massachusetts), 5 May 1790, page 58<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

William Shakespeare\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another famous historical figure who wrote his own epitaph was William Shakespeare (1564-1616). Shakespeare\u2019s tombstone inscription, which has been widely debated, suggests that a visitor might be cursed if he moved Shakespeare\u2019s bones. One theory is that Shakespeare wished to scare away grave robbers; another is that as cemeteries filled, he wished to deter the custom of moving existing interments to make room for others. (See his grave from Holy Trinity Churchyard in Stratford-upon-Avon, England at www.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=1450<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Shakespeare wrote:<\/p>\n

\u201cGood friends, for Jesus\u2019 sake, forbear
\nTo dig the dirt inclosed here.
\nBlest be the man that spares these stones,
\nBut curst be he that moves my bones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"William<\/a>
Providence Gazette (Providence, Rhode Island), 23-30 December 1769, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sam Houston\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

Then there is that famous Texan, Sam Houston (1793-1863). As a senator from Texas, he delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate defending the Compromise of 1850. Worried that slavery would split the Union, he declared: \u201cI wish, if this Union must be dissolved, that its ruins may be the monuments of my grave, and the graves of my family. I wish no epitaph to be written to tell that I survived the ruin of this glorious Union.\u201d<\/p>\n

He died in the middle of the Civil War, and no epitaph was written for him. However, his gravesite memorial features a quote by Andrew Jackson: \u201cThe world will take care of Houston\u2019s fame.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>
Photo: Sam Houston\u2019s gravesite memorial in Huntsville, Texas. Credit: Wikipedia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Curious & Memorable Epitaphs of the Famous and Not-So-Famous<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some epitaphs are noteworthy because they were written for famous people\u2014and others are memorable for their uniqueness. While researching this topic, I discovered that many epitaphs are simply urban legends and don\u2019t exist in reality\u2014but the epitaph examples below are real. Just follow the links to check the inscriptions with photographs of the tombstones at findagrave.com.<\/p>\n

Lucille Ball\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve Come Home\u201d<\/p>\n

(Lake View Cemetery, Jamestown, New York:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7003071<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Deborah Marie Bennett\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cLife is short,
\nEat dessert first\u201d<\/p>\n

(Mount Hope Cemetery, Pescadero, California:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=99693195<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Jonathan Blake\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHere lies the body of
\nJonathan Blake
\nStepped on the gas
\nInstead of the brake\u201d<\/p>\n

(Uniontown Cemetery, Uniontown, Pennsylvania:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=39158322<\/span>)<\/p>\n

Mel Blanc\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s All Folks\u201d<\/p>\n

(Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood, California:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=100<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Rodney Dangerfield\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere Goes the Neighborhood\u201d<\/p>\n

(Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9556754<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Marguerite Dewey Daniels\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cShe always said her
\nFeet were killing her,
\nBut no one believed her.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=28457972<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Bette Davis\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cShe Did It the Hard Way\u201d<\/p>\n

(Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=258<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Jack Dempsey\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHeavyweight Champion of the World
\nA gentle man and a gentleman\u201d<\/p>\n

(Southampton Cemetery, Southampton, New York:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=275<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Murphy A. Dreher Jr.\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis ain\u2019t bad
\nOnce you get used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Star Hill Cemetery, Saint Francisville, Louisiana:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=95370531&PIpi=65389055<\/a>)<\/p>\n

F. Scott Fitzgerald\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSo we beat our boats against
\nThe current, borne back
\nCeaselessly into the past\u201d
\n\u2014The Great Gatsby<\/em><\/p>\n

(Old Saint Mary\u2019s Catholic Church Cemetery, Rockville, Maryland:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=344<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Robert Frost\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI Had a Lover\u2019s Quarrel with the World\u201d<\/p>\n

(Old Bennington Cemetery, Bennington, Vermont:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=371<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Sal Giardino\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWorld\u2019s Greatest Electrician\u201d<\/p>\n

[This tombstone looks like a light bulb.]
\n(Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa, New Jersey:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5103<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Merv Griffin\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI will not<\/span> be right back
\nAfter this message\u201d<\/p>\n

(Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=20909851<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Joan Hackett\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cGo Away\u2014I\u2019m Asleep\u201d<\/p>\n

(Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood, California:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=1447<\/a>)<\/p>\n

William H. Hahn Jr.\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI Told You I Was Sick\u201d<\/p>\n

(Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, New Jersey:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7968130<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Rita Hayworth\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTo yesterday\u2019s companionship
\nAnd tomorrow\u2019s reunion\u201d<\/p>\n

(Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=1253<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Coretta Scott King\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now abide faith, hope,
\nLove, these three; but the
\nGreatest of these is love.\u201d
\n\u2014I Cor. 13:13<\/em><\/p>\n

(Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Atlanta, Georgia:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=582<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFree at last, free at last,
\nThank God Almighty
\nI\u2019m free at last.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Atlanta, Georgia:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=582<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Harvey Korman\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re Born, You Suffer, and You Die\u201d<\/p>\n

(Woodlawn Cemetery, Santa Monica, California:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=27185449<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Jack Lemmon\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJack Lemmon in\u201d<\/p>\n

(Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22822<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Paul G. Lind\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWEMISSU\u201d<\/p>\n

[This tombstone looks like a scrabble board.]
\n(Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery, Portland, Oregon:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=27240724<\/span>)<\/p>\n

Sylvester B. McCracken\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSchool is out
\nTeacher has gone home\u201d<\/p>\n

(Grace Lawn Cemetery, Elkhart, Indiana:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=43210077<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Lester Moore\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHere lies Lester Moore
\nFour slugs from a .44
\nNo les [sic], no more\u201d<\/p>\n

(Boothill Graveyard, Tombstone, Arizona:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19899<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Leslie Nielsen\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cLet \u2019Er Rip\u201d<\/p>\n

[And on the bench:]
\n\u201cSit Down Whenever You Can\u201d<\/p>\n

(Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Lauderdale, Florida:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=62278982<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Dr. William P. Rothwell\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis Is on Me\u201d
\n\u2014Rx<\/em><\/p>\n

(Oak Grove Cemetery, Pawtucket, Rhode Island:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11588247<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Billy Wilder\u2019s Epitaph<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a writer
\nBut then
\nNobody\u2019s perfect\u201d<\/p>\n

(Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California:
\nwww.findagrave.com\/cgi-bin\/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6295551<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Here is a collage of some more curious epitaphs, all found in historical newspapers.<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a><\/p>\n

If you know of some curious or funny epitaphs from cemeteries near you, please share them with us in the comments!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Explore these humorous epitaphs of famous people as well as the every day Joe. Put your knowledge to the test with our epitaphs quiz!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":39729,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12641],"tags":[2585,6168,5322],"class_list":["post-5879","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-humor-sayings","tag-cemeteries","tag-epitaphs","tag-humor"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/photo-0810-2016-cemetery.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5879","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5879"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5879\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":98393,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5879\/revisions\/98393"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5879"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5879"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}