Uncovering the Meaning Behind Grave Symbols

Bethel United Methodist Church

Have you ever walked through a cemetery and wondered what the meaning was behind the symbols you saw on the tombstones? For my Beyond the Grave class, we visited the Bethel United Methodist Church graveyard and our goal was to interpret the meaning of the symbols that we saw on the different graves.

The Bethel United Methodist Church is the oldest standing Methodist Church in Charleston and has a unique racial history. The first church served black and white members from 1797 to 1852. The first church is now known as "Old Bethel" and was donated to the black congregation in 1876 when a new and larger sanctuary was built. The Old Bethel Church was physically moved across the street while the new church was built on its old spot.

Old Bethel United Methodist Church

Catherine Lord's Headstone

To the right, is the grave Catherine Lord, who was born in 1826 and died at 32 years old. Her grave is decorated with a wreath and has a ribbon in the background. The use of wreaths was adopted by the Christian religion from the ancient Greeks. It symbolizes victory and redemption. It is also said to indicate memory and victory over death. This grave marker has been moved from its original spot, however, it is most likely a die on socket.

Wreath Symbol

Poppy Flower Symbol

 A poppy flower on a grave symbolizes peace, rest, eternal sleep, and consolation. Eva Lee's flowers, on the left, take up almost half of her headstone, making her symbol pretty significant. Also, she was only 26 when she died, and her family probably wanted to think of her as being in eternal sleep. Her type of grave marker is a die on base.

A Crown on Cross Symbol

Joseph Ainger's headstone is designed with a cross going through a crown. This represents the sovereignty of the Lord. It is also said to represent the departed soul gaining victory over death through Christ the King This type of grave marker is a headstone.

Joseph Ainger's Headstone

William Fleming's Grave

Bible Symbol

William Fleming was born in 1821 and served as a pastor at the Bethel United Methodist Church. He died at age 56 due to pneumonia, according to a newspaper located on Find a Grave. The newspaper also says that he was very well known in all parts of the state and loved by many. Fleming's grave is decorated with two wreaths and a bible on a pulpit. The Bible represents that he was a religious person. This type of grave marker is a bedstead with a pulpit marker.

Rebecca Jane's Grave

Angel Symbol

An angel pictured on a grave represents the guardian of the dead, symbolizing spirituality. The angel on Rebecca Jane's gravestone is flying, which symbolizes rebirth. The writing on her gravestone even says "new-born me" on it. This type of grave marker is a die on socket.

Drapery Symbol

Rosa Mary was born in 1835 and died in 1881. Her grave is decorated with beautiful flowers and has a cloth draped over the headstone. Drapery over anything represents sorrow and mourning. It also symbolizes the veil between life and death and the crossing of that plane. This type of grave marker is a die on socket.

Elizabeth Moore's Headstone

Urn Symbol

 Elizabeth Moore was born in 1796 and died at 65 years old. According to Find a Grave, she had 11 children and written on her grave says that she was affectionate, kind and indulgent. Her grave is decorated with a flying angel holding wreath, next to an urn. An urn is a Greek symbol that represents mourning. It also represents death and the return of the body to dust. This type of grave marker looks like a headstone that used to be standing up but is now laying down on the ground.

Weeping Willow Tree Symbol

 The weeping willow is one of my favorite grave symbols that I discovered in the Bethel Churchyard. This symbol is on the grave of Elizabeth Furchess, who was born in 1788 and died in 1858. This type of grave marker is a ledger and the writing on it talks about how she was a kind mother, friend and follower of Christ. Her ledger has a picture of an urn under a weeping willow tree. A weeping willow tree symbolizes nature's lament; sorrow and mourning.

Elizabeth Furchess's Grave

Olin Davis's Grave

Rose Symbol

Olin Davis was born in 1841 and died at just 25 years old. On his grave is one singular rose symbol. Roses are associated with the Virgin Mary and represent beauty, hope, and unfailing love. A full bloomed rose refers to a person dying in the prime life. This type of grave marker is a die on socket.

 A dove is a very symbolic animal in Christianity, representing the Holy Spirit. It is the symbol of resurrection, innocence, and peace. Anna Chrietzberg's headstone is decorated with a dove flying over a wreath, the symbol for eternal peace. Anna Chrietzberg was a Charleston native, born in 1821 and died in 1872 at 50 years old. Her type of grave marker is a die on socket.