If you’ve ever walked by a graveyard or among the stones at a cemetery, you will likely notice the flowers. But how often have you also noticed something laying on the top of a headstone, or something special that stands out on the stone like a carving?

As it turns out, all the things you see at a cemetery, from coins on top of the headstones to carvings of animals and even the shapes of grave markers all likely have some kind of meaning. Some of them are newer traditions, but some date back to years ago.

The practice of leaving coins on top of headstones is speculated to have begun during the Vietnam War. Visitors would leave money to show their respect for the veterans, but each coin means something different.

1. Pennies for example, are laid on top of a headstone to thank the veteran for their service.

2. Nickels left at the gravesite means the person that left the coin trained at boot camp with the deceased.

3. Someone who leaves a dime suggests that they served with the deceased during a war.

4. A quarter means that the individual leaving the coin behind was there when the soldier was killed.

Although the coins should never be picked up, they are collected by cemetery staff who use the money for a greater purpose. The money is either donated towards maintenance of the cemetery or to veterans’ families who don’t have the money to pay for burial costs.

There are other traditional items that you might have come across when visiting a cemetery besides coins and those items have meanings as well.

5. Stones placed on top of a grave is a common tradition in some cultures, particular Jewish culture. Graves used to be covered with large piles of stones, so family members who visit will leave a stone as a sign of respect for the deceased to let them know they haven’t been forgotten.

6. Have you ever noticed that many tombstones face the east? This dates back to hundreds of years ago when settler’s placed their deceased family members feet facing east and their head towards the west so that when the sun would rise they’d be able to see it and by some miracle, might be reborn.

7. While every headstone has a special meaning, animal carvings on tombstones are very common. Lambs often mean the grave belongs to a child. A dog is likely a sign that the deceased was very close to the family dog, and roosters are a symbol of “Judgement Day.” Doves symbolize the resurrection and the Holy Spirit. A broken tree or flower may mean that the life of the deceased was cut short.

8. Hands are another common symbol on gravestones. If the hand is pointed down it may indicate sudden death, and clasped hands may mean the living will one day be reunited with the deceased.

9. Obelisk shaped stones are long structures that usually have some kind of inscription or carving. The Washington Monument is an obelisk and is the tallest one in the work. These stones are often made to commemorate several deceased people without putting an individual stone for each person.

Whether it be a coin or a stone left behind or the placement or shape of the gravestone, we hope this post gives you a better understanding of the meanings behind its symbolism.