The final goodbye

The final goodbye

Designing Gravestones for Atheists: Ideas to Consider

by Monica Ruiz

If you are pre-planning and paying for most of your funeral, you should consider choosing your headstone as well. However, if you are an atheist, you may be wondering what type of headstone is in line with your religious beliefs. There are a number of options you can explore. Take a look at these ideas:  

1. Short and simple

Your headstone or cemetery monument doesn't have to say anything about your religion. If you like, you can simply order a gravestone that says your name, date of birth and death date. To ensure it doesn't have religious overtones, simply ask the engraver not to put any extra symbols or markings on it. Also, choose a nondenominational shape such as a plain rectangular gravestone rather than a cross or an angel statue.

2. Atheist symbols

If you would like visitors to your grave to know that you were an atheist, you may want to add a symbol representing that fact on your cemetery monument. Unfortunately, there is no internationally recognised symbol of atheism, but there are a few symbols you can choose from.

An "A" written in script and sometimes encased in a circle is a symbol endorsed by Richard Dawkins and used by several atheists around the world. Alternatively, there are symbols that use the mathematical idea of an empty set to invoke the idea of no belief in God. For example, one empty set symbol is a simple empty ring, and another one uses a circle with a line through it. Based on a Danish and Norwegian letter, this symbol looks a bit like a slanted London tube sign minuses words. If you prefer a bit of whimsy, the Darwin fish (an Ichthus with feet) is another option.

3. Elements of nature

Some atheists don't necessarily identify with worldwide atheists organisations or any of the above symbols, and, if you fall into that category, you may want to integrate an element of nature into your design. You could have a tree, ocean waves or other elements etched into your  gravestone. Alternatively, you could forgo the gravestone and have a monument of a small tree placed above your grave.

4. Lines of poetry

Rather than Bible verses, have your favourite line of poetry etched into your gravestone. This creates a secular feel without announcing that you are an atheist. Even a few lines about your life may be something you want to consider.

 


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About Me

The final goodbye

Working in a funeral home means we give people a chance to say their final goodbye to loved ones. No matter how hard it is in the moment to let go, when they look back, they are always grateful when they look back to have had a chance to mourn with family and friends and say their final goodbye. Everyone mourns differently, so we have different services and structures to support people through the process of choosing all of the details of the service. If you are confused by the options available, keep reading. This site is an introduction to funeral services.