The epitaph comes from the Greek "épitaphios" which literally means "on a grave". Intended to celebrate and pay a last tribute to the deceased, this text summarizes in a few words the life or the personality of the deceased. Definition, editor, habits and customs or regulations, let's see together what to remember from the epitaph.
The epitaph is a small text, of a few words, affixed to the grave of a deceased. The inscription is engraved directly on the granite funerary stele of a tomb or a cave. It can also be engraved on a plaque, itself affixed to the grave or the box of a columbarium for example.
In Greek antiquity, the epitaph served as a funeral oration. Subsequently, the epitaph is shortened, but remains a means of paying homage to the deceased. It leaves a mark visible to everyone. It is a thought of the deceased or it summarizes in a few words an important moment of his past life. Today, the epitaph, which has fallen into disuse, is most often used to identify the deceased. It provides the name and dates of birth and death.
Writing an epitaph is a difficult exercise. In the past, its writing was a renowned stylistic exercise in French literature. Nowadays, it is a more classic message like “Rest in peace” or “To our beloved”, etc.
The epitaph is a text, or even a very short sentence of about ten words. It must be explicit and thoughtful. Cemeteries are places of contemplation, but also of walks. The passerby reading the epitaphs immerses himself in the history of families and municipalities.
Anyone can write an epitaph. It can be a family member, a close friend or even a public writer. Some people want to write their epitaph themselves. These are self-epitaphs written during his lifetime.
Epitaphs are inscriptions used since man communicates. Symbols then letters, they bear witness to the past of the deceased man, but also often a trace of the history of the time. In the time of the ancient Greeks, they were very short and provided information on the civil status of the deceased, as they do today. They are also long inscriptions like an epitaph found on a funerary stele from the island of Amorgos:
“Here the earth covers Milkweed Maiandros, who found the cure for many exhausting diseases of mortals, warding off the doom fate of hopeless death. He had inherited the talent from his father Maiandros.”
Nowadays, the habits and customs of the epitaph are being lost. Funeral rites are less important than in the past and the regulations may not help to convey his emotion. The tradition wanted that the epitaphs begin with "Ci-gît". Today, they usually start with “In memory” or “In memory” or “Here rests”. Poems or quotations appear regularly on plaques and stelae.
The law nowadays regulates the writing of epitaphs. It is not allowed to write anything on the graves. According to the General Code of Territorial Communities, article R 2223-80, the texts of the epitaphs must be approved by the Mayor of the municipality where the deceased is buried. The text must be decent, respectful towards the deceased and potential readers. If the Mayor considers the epitaph likely to disturb public order, the law authorizes him to refuse it.
If the epitaph is written in Latin or any other foreign language, the translation is obligatory. It is attached to the text for which the request for authorization is sent to the Town Hall. Regarding tone, light or dark humor is accepted, as is color. The choice of typography is also varied, but it must remain legible and discreet.
Whether epitaphs are classical, personal, political, historical or religious, they are “a bulwark against oblivion”. They celebrate the memory of a loved one and serve as a token of affection and love. Choosing a stele or a funerary plaque also means thinking about the epitaph that will be engraved on it.
