- published: 20 Nov 2014
- views: 328613
An epitaph (from Greek ἐπιτάφιον epitaphion "a funeral oration" from ἐπί epi "at, over" and τάφος taphos "tomb") is a short text honoring a deceased person, strictly speaking that is inscribed on their tombstone or plaque, but also used figuratively. Some are specified by the dead person beforehand, others chosen by those responsible for the burial. An epitaph may be in poem verse; poets have been known to compose their own epitaphs prior to their death, as W.B. Yeats did.
Most epitaphs are brief records of the family, and perhaps the career, of the deceased, often with an expression of love or respect - "beloved father of ..." - but others are more ambitious. From the Renaissance to the 19th century in Western culture, epitaphs for notable people became increasingly lengthy and pompous descriptions of their family origins, career, virtues and immediate family, often in Latin. However, the Laudatio Turiae, the longest known Ancient Roman epitaph exceeds almost all of these at 180 lines; it celebrates the virtues of a wife, probably of a consul.
As I sit and journal my life
I wish on my dying breathe
That we as one won a new day
for this world upon my death
Time sleeps on forever these words
the last words I'll say
Read my epitaph - heed my epitaph
Light shines on my death-bed
a last wish is to write
These secrets that I give you
are for all of mankind
Before I sleep on forever
heed these words, learn the truth
Read my epitaph - heed my epitaph
Reason foretold - season of old
My words will tell my world your hell
My words will tell my world your hell
Fearless ending darkness goodbye
Feeling empty my turn to die
Bravely ending my light goodbye
Feeling empty my turn to die
Read my epitaph - heed my epitaph