AF&AM (masonic)
AOF Ancient Order Of Foresters
AOH Ancient Order Of Hibernians
AOKMC Ancient Order Of Knights of Mystic Chain
AOUW Ancient Order Of United Workmen
ALOH American Legion of Honor
AUM Ancient Order of Mysteries- Masonic Order
BPOE Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
BPOEW Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World
CK of A Catholic Knights of America
COOF Catholic Order of Foresters
CTAS Catholic Total Abstinence Society
CBKA Commander Benevolent Knights Association
CCTAS Crusaders-Catholic Total Abstinence Society
CSA Confederate States Army
DAR Daughters of American Revolution
EBA Emerald Beneficial Association
FAA Free and Accepted Americans
F&AM – Free and Accepted Masons.
FLT-Friendship, Love, & Truth (Independent Order of Oddfellows)
FOE Fraternal Order of Eagles
GALSTPTR German American Legion of St. Peter
GAR Grand Army of the Republic
GLAUM Grand Lodge Ancient Order of Mysteries-Masonic Order
GUOOF Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
IHSV Red Cross of Constantine
IOI Independent Order of Immaculates
IOKP Independent Order of Knights of Pythias
IOOF Independent Order of Odd Fellows
IORM Improved Order of Redmen
ISH Independent Sons of Honor
IWW Industrial Workers of the World
JAOUW Junior Order-Ancient Order of United Workmen
JOUAM Junior Order-Order of United American Mechanics
KGL Knight Grand Legion
KM Knights Militant
KC Knights of Columbus
K of C Knights of Columbus
K of FM Knights of Father Matthew
KFM Knights of Father Matthew
K of H Knights of Honor
K of L Knights of Loyola
K M Knights of Malta (Masonic)
KMC Knights of the Mystic Chain
KPC Knights of Peter Claver
KP Knights of Pythias
K of P Knights of Pythias
KSC Knights of St. Columbkille
KG Knights of St. George
KSTG Knights of St. George
KSTI Knights of St. Ignatius
K of SJ Knights of St. John
KSTJ Knights of St. Joseph
KSL Knights of St. Lawrence
KSTM Knights of St. Martin
K of STP Knights of St. PatrickKSTP Knights of St. Paul
KSTP Knights of St. Peter
KSTT Knights of St. Thomas
K of STW Knights of St. Wenceslas
KT Knights of Tabor
K of T Knights of Tabor
KWM Knights of Wise Men
KGE Knights of Golden Eagle
KHC Knights of Holy Cross
KKK Knights of Klu-Klux Klan
KOTM Knights of Macabees
KSF Knights of Sherwood Forest
KT Knights Templars (Masonic)
LAOH Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
LK of A Loyal Knights of America
LOM Loyal Order of the M.O.O.S.E.
MOLLUS Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
MRA Royal Arcanum
MWA Modern Woodsmen of America
NOK New Order Knights (see KKK)
OES Order of the Eastern Star
OUAM Order of United American Mechanics
PM Patriarchs Militant (Independent Order of Odd Fellows)
POSA Patriotic Order of the Sons of America
RMOKHSJ The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
RSTV Rite of St. Vaclara
RSTV Rite of ST. Vita
RK Roman Knights
SR Scottish Rite (Masonic Order)
RAM Royal Arch Masons
RO-AUM Rosicrucian Order (Masonic)
SBCL Saint Bonifazius Catholic Union
SBL Society B. Lafayette
SCV Sons of the Confederate Veterans
SAR Sons of the American Revolution
SNA-AUM Shrine of North America (Masonic)
SV Sons of Veterans
TH Temple of Honor-Independent Order of Odd Fellows
TOTE Totem of the Eagle (goes with IORM)
UCV United Confederate Veterans
UDC United Daughters of the Confederacy
VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars
WOW Woodsmen of the World
Relect carved on a woman’s headstone: she died a widow.
Consort: she outlived her husband.
Some examples of engraved symbols include:
Anchors and Ships: Hope or Seafaring profession
Arches: Victory in Death
Arrows: Mortality
Broken column: Loss of head of family
Broken ring: Family circle severed
Bugles: Military (see Trumpeters)
Butterfly: Short-lived; early death
Candle being snuffed: Time, mortality
Cherub: Angelic
Compass and Square: Masonic emblems
Corn: Ripe old age
Cross: Symbol of Christian hope
Crossed Swords: Officer in the military
Darts: Mortality
Doves: The soul, purity, innocence, gentleness
Father Time: Mortality, The Grim Reaper
Flowers: Brevity of early existence, sorrow
Flowers: Condolence, grief, sorrow
Flying Birds: Flight of the soul
Fruits: Eternal plenty
Garlands: Victory in death
Hand of God Chopping: Sudden death
Hands of God Chopping: Sudden Death
Handshakes: Farewell to earthly existence
Harp: Praise to the Maker
Hearts: Blissfulness or love of Christ
Hourglass with wings: Time flying; short life
Hourglass: Swiftness of time
Ivy: Friendship and immortality
Lamb: Innocence
Laurel: Fame or victory
Lily or lily of valley: Emblem of innocence and purity
Morning glory: Beginning of life
Oak leaves and acorn: Maturity, ripe old age
Open book or Bible: Deceased teacher, minister, etc.
Palm Branch: Signifies victory and rejoicing
Picks and shovels: Mortality
Poppy: Sleep
Portals: Passageway to eternal journey
Rose in full bloom: Prime of life
Rosebud: Morning of life or renewal of life
Roses: Brevity of mortal life
Sheaf of wheat: Ripe for harvest, divine harvest time
Shells: Pilgrimage of life
Stars and stripes around eagle: Eternal vigilance, liberty
Suns: The Resurrection
Thistles: Remembrance
Tombs: Mortality
Torch Inverted: Life extinct
Tree stump with ivy: Head of family; immortality
Trees: Life
Trumpeters: Heralds of the resurrection
Urn with flame: Undying friendship
Urn with wreath or crepe: mourning
Willows: Emblem of sorrow
Winged effigies: Flight of the soul
A cenotaph is not a grave marker at all. It is a monument erected in memory of someone who died elsewhere, perhaps at sea.