95 abbreviations, phrases and terms
Expand Latin, Hebrew, relationship words, age formulas and memorial phrases while preserving the original transcription.
A.E.F.
U.S. forces sent overseas during World War I
Open field entryA.F. & A.M.
Masonic affiliation initials; wording varies by jurisdiction
Open field entryAetatis / Æt.
a Latin age formula indicating how old the deceased was, not a year number
Open field entryAged
the number following “aged” usually states years, months and days rather than a calendar date
Open field entryAlpha and Omega
the first and last Greek letters, used in Christian scripture and art for God's or Christ's eternal nature
Open field entryAnno Domini
a Christian-era date formula, commonly abbreviated A.D.
Open field entryAsleep in Jesus
a Protestant epitaph expressing rest in Christ
Open field entryAt Rest
a short epitaph of rest and consolation
Open field entryAve Atque Vale
a classical Latin farewell, associated with Catullus and later memorial use
Open field entryB.P.O.E.
fraternal organization initials
Open field entryBlessed Are the Dead
usually alludes to Revelation 14:13 and hope for those who die in the Lord
Open field entryBorn
often paired with “died”; verify whether the date follows local day-month-year order
Open field entryC.S.A.
Civil War context; exact expansion depends on the inscription
Open field entryCalled Home
a Christian euphemism of return to heaven
Open field entryChi-Rho XP
the first two Greek letters of Christos, used as an early Christian emblem
Open field entryConsort
an older term commonly used for a wife or husband; usage varies by period and region
Open field entryD.A.R.
hereditary service organization
Open field entryD.O.M.
“to God, best and greatest,” a Latin dedication with classical and Christian use
Open field entryD.O.M.S.
“sacred to God, best and greatest,” a longer dedication formula
Open field entryD.S.P.
Latin genealogical abbreviation meaning “died without issue”
Open field entryDaughter of
identifies parents or guardians and may preserve a mother's name
Open field entryDeparted This Life
a softened English death formula common on older markers
Open field entryDied
a direct date statement; compare civil and church records for transcription errors
Open field entryDum Tacet Clamat
Woodmen of the World motto and a strong identifying clue when paired with its emblem
Open field entryEarth Has No Sorrow That Heaven Cannot Heal
a hymn-like memorial phrase emphasizing heavenly comfort
Open field entryEntered into Rest
a euphemistic memorial phrase rather than a record of cause
Open field entryErected By
identifies who paid for or dedicated the memorial, not necessarily who is buried there
Open field entryF. & A.M.
Masonic affiliation initials
Open field entryF.C.B.
Knights of Pythias motto
Open field entryF.L.T.
Odd Fellows motto, normally placed in three chain links
Open field entryF.O.E.
fraternal organization initials
Open field entryFaithful unto Death
usually alludes to Revelation 2:10; may also describe loyalty more generally
Open field entryFell Asleep
a biblical and early Christian euphemism that frames death as temporary sleep
Open field entryG.A.R.
Union Civil War veterans organization
Open field entryGone but Not Forgotten
a promise of memory rather than a biographical statement
Open field entryGone Home
a Christian or spiritual epitaph, not evidence of migration
Open field entryHere Lies
a direct English equivalent to older Latin formulas; memorial stones can still be cenotaphs, so context matters
Open field entryHic Jacet
a Latin opening to a burial inscription
Open field entryHic Situs Est
a Latin burial formula, often abbreviated H.S.E.
Open field entryHis Work Is Done
may honor occupation, service or a life understood as finished
Open field entryHodie Mihi Cras Tibi
a Latin warning that the viewer will also die
Open field entryHusband of
identifies the named man's spouse
Open field entryI Know That My Redeemer Liveth
a biblical quotation associated with Job 19:25
Open field entryI.O.O.F.
organization initials; a lodge number may appear nearby
Open field entryIHS
a devotional monogram for Jesus; later Latin expansions are secondary interpretations
Open field entryIn Hoc Signo Vinces
a Christian and chivalric motto; on lodge stones it can indicate Knights Templar context
Open field entryIn Loving Memory
a common modern phrase emphasizing the living community's remembrance
Open field entryIn Memoriam
Latin memorial phrase; does not by itself prove interment
Open field entryIn Memory Of
can mark a burial or a cenotaph for someone buried elsewhere
Open field entryIn the Nth Year of His Age
means the person had entered that year of life; “in his 40th year” generally means age 39, depending on local usage
Open field entryInfant Daughter
age language rather than a symbolic diagnosis; compare dates for exact age
Open field entryInfant Son
age language rather than a symbolic diagnosis; compare dates for exact age
Open field entryINRI
Latin initials for “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” commonly placed above a crucifix
Open field entryIssue
a genealogical term for offspring, not a problem or dispute
Open field entryK. of C.
Catholic fraternal organization initials
Open field entryK. of P.
fraternal organization initials
Open field entryKnown unto God
commonly used on military graves of unidentified dead
Open field entryL.O.O.M.
fraternal organization initials
Open field entryLaus Deo
a Latin devotional closing
Open field entryLux Aeterna
a Latin Christian prayer for perpetual light to shine upon the dead
Open field entryM.W.A.
fraternal-benefit organization initials
Open field entryMemento Mori
a direct Latin reminder of mortality
Open field entryNatus / Nata
Latin masculine/feminine terms marking a birth date
Open field entryNo Known Grave
used in military commemoration and memorial records
Open field entryNot Dead but Sleeping
frames death as temporary sleep
Open field entryO.E.S.
Masonic-affiliated fraternal organization initials
Open field entryObiit
a Latin verb marking the date of death
Open field entryOur Beloved
a broad memorial phrase that may accompany any relationship
Open field entryOur Darling
an emotional relationship phrase; age should be confirmed from dates
Open field entryP. of H.
the Grange, an agricultural organization
Open field entryP.N.
Hebrew abbreviation meaning “here is buried” or “here lies,” with wording depending on gender and tradition
Open field entryPax
a brief Latin word of peace, sometimes paired with a cross or palm
Open field entryR.I.P.
Latin for “may he or she rest in peace”; later read in English as “rest in peace”
Open field entryR.N.A.
fraternal-benefit organization initials
Open field entryRelict
an older genealogical term that identifies a surviving spouse; it does not mean divorced
Open field entryRequiescat in Pace
a complete Latin prayer formula commonly abbreviated R.I.P.
Open field entryRest in Peace
the English form associated with R.I.P.
Open field entryResurgam
a Latin expression of resurrection hope
Open field entryS.A.R.
hereditary service organization
Open field entryS.P.
Latin genealogical abbreviation meaning “without issue” or without children
Open field entrySacred to the Memory of
introduces the commemorated person's name and does not necessarily prove burial directly beneath the stone
Open field entrySafe in the Arms of Jesus
a hymn-derived phrase frequently used for children and devout memorials
Open field entryShe Hath Done What She Could
a biblical phrase from Mark 14:8 often used to honor a woman's work or care
Open field entrySic Transit Gloria Mundi
a Latin reminder that earthly status and achievement are temporary
Open field entrySon of
identifies parents or guardians and can distinguish people with the same name
Open field entrySpouse of
a direct statement that should be recorded exactly, including whether the named spouse was living or deceased
Open field entryT.N.Tz.B.H.
common Hebrew closing abbreviation from 1 Samuel 25:29
Open field entryTempus Fugit
a Latin phrase emphasizing the swift passage of life
Open field entryThy Will Be Done
a Christian phrase associated with grief and acceptance
Open field entryU.D.C.
hereditary memorial organization
Open field entryU.S.C.T.
African American regiments in the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War
Open field entryUntil We Meet Again
a farewell epitaph often grounded in religious belief
Open field entryV.F.W.
U.S. veterans organization initials
Open field entryW.O.W.
organization initials that should be checked against stump, axe, maul, wedge or lodge records
Open field entryWife of
identifies the named woman's husband; it can be crucial when surnames or maiden names are absent
Open field entryNo close phrase
Try the visible letters without punctuation, then compare the complete line.