Oakwood Cemetery
Burial Facts
The 19th century was a time of various superstitions most causing death. There were also many cases where some were buried alive. Various systems were made to avoid this such as tying a bell to go off if one was awake after being buried. That is where the term “saved by the bell” came from. Though black is a nation symbol of funerals in the United States, white was worn in the funeral of an infinite. It is a christian method to have a bodes head to the west and feet to the east. This importance is a reference to Matthew 24:27. The idea is so the body can sit up and view the second coming of Jesus. Some graves however, are not facing true east because instead of relying on a compass, east was most likely relied upon the position of the sun.
Dove: The most commonly seen animal symbol in cemeteries, the dove is often used as a symbol for purity and peace between God and man as told in Genesis. The dove is also associated with the Holy Spirit.
Laurel: Most commonly seen in the wreath form, laurel can be used to signify distinction, victory, or triumph. The wreath in particular symbolizes eternity and immortality.
Woodmen of the World: The “treestone” is usually associated with an organization named the Woodmen of the World. The organization, primarily designed to deal with insurance, was founded in 1890 by Joseph Cullen Root for men from eighteen to forty-five from the twelve healthiest states who were not involved in various hazardous occupations. In the 1920s, membership in WOW included a headstone upon a member’s death. This practice accounts for the large number of treestones marking graves from this time. The Woodmen of the World is still a practicing insurance society today.
Open Book: An open book on a gravestone can usually be linked to a heart open to the world and to God in its thoughts and feelings. This can also represent the “book of life” in which the deceased’s chapter has ended.
Lily: Sometimes refered to as the Madonna Lily or Easter Lily, this flower is commonly seen on the graves of women. It represents chastity and purity. In the Christian religion, the lily is associated with resurection, sumbolizing the restoration of innocence of the soul after death.
Ivy: Due to its resilient nature and lasting green color, ivy is generally used to show immortality and undying affection or friendship. Additionally, it’s three-pointed leaves can be associated with the Holy Trinity.
Hands (Shaking or Clasped): Two hands clasped together often represent some sort of relationship depending on the apparent gender of the depicted hands. The hands of a man and woman usually symbolizes matrimony or possibly a strong bond between friends. Gender-neutral hands can show either a welcome intoheaven or and earthly farewell.
Weeping Willow Tree: While its name commonly links it with sorrow, the weeping willow tree is actually symbolic of the gospel of Christ. The tree gained its Christian meaning through its ability to thrive regardless of how many limbs are removed from it.
Lamb: Lambs are frequently seen adorning the graves of children. The lamb is commonly used in Christianity as a symbol for Christ, and it represents purity and innocence.
Rose: While often seen as a sign of decadence, the white rose was adopted in Christianity as a symbol of purity. In it’s wordly form, the rose was shown with thorns while in Paradise it did not have any. On gravestones, the rose is often shown without its thorns. The petals of a rose also hold meaning. Shown with a closed bud, a rose could show that a life had not yet bloomed, while an open rose can show a long, full life.
Urn: Urns are commonly used to housecremated remains. As a funerary device, urns were often used as a way to replace a sarcophagus—despite the rarity of cremation in the nineteenth century. They simply provided a reverent form of decoration.
Drape: Fabric draped across a gravestone can be seen as either a decorative accessory or as a veil between Earthly life and the heavens.
Freemasons: The principal symbol for the Freemasons is square and compass. In the middle of these two objects is a G that is argued to stand for either God or geometry. The combination of the square and compass represent the relationship between mind and matter as well as the movement from material to intellectual to spiritual. In Huntsville, Freemasonry dates back to the 1840s.
Independent Order of the Odd Fellows: Sometimes refered to as “the poor man’s Freemasonry,” the IOOF had many symbols, the most popular of which was a section of three chain links with the letters “FLT” in them. These letters stood for Friendship, Love and Truth. Membership in this fraternity ensured death care, including funerals.
Gravestone Symbols
