WHAT'S YOUR FINAL STATEMENT?

"Dear Kuya Jeff, your Sunday talk really made me think about how important prayer is in our lives. I remember an old priest telling me when I was younger that even just reading epitaphs on gravestones can be a way to say a quick prayer for those who have passed. I often see abbreviations like 'R.I.P.' and 'D.O.M.' on grave markers. I know this might be a bit random, but I'm curious about how these inscriptions help us remember and pray for the dead. I hope you have time to reply. Thanks and God bless!" - Marble Lapid

The San Jose suburb where I grew up as a young boy is very close to Manila North Cemetery, La Loma Catholic Cemetery, and Manila Chinese Cemetery. Consequently, I frequently encountered inscriptions on memorial tablets and epitaphs. For many families, a grave marker was often the final and sometimes the only way to commemorate their deceased loved ones. In addition to birth and death dates, Latin abbreviations are commonly used as headings on memorial markers. Although these inscriptions might seem like mere decorations, they often hold significant meaning for those who selected them. While it is impossible to document every grave inscription, most reflect a person's religious beliefs or hopes for an afterlife. Here are some examples of commonly used grave inscriptions:

1. R.I.P. - "Requiescat In Pace" is translated to "En Paz Descanse" (E.P.D.) in Spanish and "Pahulay sa Kalinaw" (P.S.K.) in Cebuano. This short prayer is a plea to God from family and friends, expressing their hope that their dearly departed will rest in peace in the afterlife.

2. S.L.N. - It is an abbreviation for "Sumalangit Nawa," a phrase used by Tagalog Christians in the Philippines on tombstones. It is a brief prayer asking God to welcome the departed into heaven.

3. D.O.M. - "Deo optimo maximo," often abbreviated as D.O.M., is a Latin phrase meaning "to God, most good, most great." Initially used in ancient Rome to honor Jupiter, the chief god of the pantheon, it was later adopted by Christians to refer to the Christian God after the Roman Empire embraced Christianity. It became a prayer of humility, recognizing one's smallness and insignificance before God. As a result, this inscription is commonly found on many Renaissance mausoleums and tombs.

4. I.H.S. - It stands for "Iesus Hominem Salvator" (Jesus, Savior of Mankind). These letters form a christogram, an abbreviation representing the name of Jesus Christ. This simple prayer asks Jesus for the gift of salvation.

5. PAX - It is the Latin term for "peace" and is frequently used on tombstones as a prayer for the repose of the departed.

6. B.M. - It represents the Latin expression "Beatae Memoriae," which translates to "Of blessed Memory." This phrase is a respectful or gentle way of referring to deceased family members or loved ones. In Tagalog, terms like "yumao," "pumanaw," or "nasira" are used, while Kapampangans use "Mangubie" to convey a similar meaning.

7. M.I. - This phrase is often used as a heading in obituaries and epitaphs. It is secular and inclusive, making it suitable for both Christians and non-Christians. It simply means "in memory of" or "as a memorial to." It serves as a promise to remember someone who has died.

8. Hic Jacet - Frequently used as a neutral or non-religious introduction to epitaphs on tombstones, this Latin phrase literally translates to "Here Lies."

We all grew up with mottos that reflect how we aspire to live each day. In death, the heading on our gravestone represents how we lived and what we cherished until the end. It serves as our final prayer or statement to God. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake, watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Eternal rest grant unto the souls in purgatory O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
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What's your favorite? We’ve likely overlooked many grave inscriptions. Share with us any common ones from your hometown that we might have missed.