Significance of rocks on headstones?

[Nancyg56]

I wonder if anyone knows if there is any significance to rocks surrounding a headstone in a cemetery. My DH was delivering some equipment to a cemetery today and he said at least 80% of the headstones had rocks on or around them. He had never seen anything like that. Can anyone help? Now I am curious if this is a religious or cultural thing.

 

[WDWBarb]

I've understood this to be a Jewish tradition, showing that you have visited the grave and to show respect for the loved one buried there.

 

[lovesmurfs]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071225165037AAn9ORt

 

[Nancyg56]

I thought that may be the case. DH said that there seemed to be no rhyme or reason to how many stones were on each headstone. Some had a lot, others fewer but most had them. Thank you.

Anyone know the origin of this tradition?

 

[Nancyg56]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071225165037AAn9ORt

My DH said that he never saw any flowers. I think that makes more sense than flowers, I cannot get to to my parents resting place often and I know my flowers die.

 

[js]

Always wondered that too but can tell you when I bring my son to my mom's husbands grave (my son's grandfather), if my ds-10 sees a rock, he places it on/by my mom's husbands headstone. We are Catholic and this is something he just does and never saw anyone else do it.
Thanks for asking the question (and supplying an answer).