My 14-year-old daughter asked me this question on a car trip through Vermont a few weeks ago after our third cemetery stop of the day. Like most teenagers, she doesn't generally find cemeteries very interesting, but as we discussed the meanings of various symbols she became more and more interested despite herself...

The irony of the whole situation was that we discovered the Old Cemetery in Benson, Vt. less than 10 minutes after she asked me that question. As I was trudging up the hill through the cemetery - concentrating on not losing my balance and taking a tumble in the cold, deep snow - I almost missed the unusual tombstone of Isaac Griswold. His marker includes almost two dozen different symbols, from common masonic symbols such as the square and compass, and beehive, to stars, anchors, a ladder, and an hourglass. Nearby, the gravestone of Benoni Ladd also includes an interesting array of symbols, including an all-seeing eye, crossed keys, and a moon and stars. The two men died almost 20 years apart, but their graves are almost next to each other in the cemetery. Many of the symbols are similar, but the designs of the markers are different. Did the deceased choose these symbols Were they perhaps practice for a stone carver? Have you seen similar tombstones before?

While some of you might feel the tombstone of Isaac Griswold and Benoni Ladd are a bit over the top, it does lead to discussion on what you would like included on your tombstone. Inscription aside, are their any symbols that you would like included on your tombstone? My husband always jokes that I should have a family tree engraved on mine, but there are many options including symbols and carvings that represent everything from occupations and hobbies to society memberships and religious beliefs.