Tombstone advice

[crazyme5kids]

Today I went to the funeral home with my mother to finalize a few details for my fathers funeral. Anyway, his ashes will be placed in one of those wall things (can't remember the name). It will be in the military part of the cemetary.

So, we have to decide what to put on the tombstone. His name, year of birth and year of death, military branch and WW2 will be on it. We can have an inscription on it as well. My mother was hoping to have "I'd rather be fishing" on it. He loved to fish more than anything. He also loved that WC Fields had "I'd rather be in Philadelphia" on his tombstone. Thus the I'd rather be fishing thing.

The cemetary said no to that. It must be more of a term of endearment type of thing. More dignified I guess. We thought that might be the case since it is a military service and all, but figured we'd give it a shot.

So now we have to figure something out. The usual stuff like Beloved husband, father, Grandfather just doesn't seem right. It isn't the kind of thing he would want. So we need ideas. Any suggestions?

 

[Cindy B]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

When my MIL passed away, she also didn't fit the beloved mother,etc. realm either.

My DH and his siblings decided on her nickname that the grandchildren called her. She was a lady who refused to be called grandmom.

 

[NAB]

I had on my husband, Until we met again.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

First of all I am so sorry for your loss.

We actually just buried my FIL last wednesday in a military cemetary here in NJ. His inscription which his kids picked is " He was always there ". I thnk we were allowed 21 spaces.

Again, my sincere condolences.

 

[crazyme5kids]

MOMTOMOOTO I'm sorry for your loss. My Dad passed away in Dec. (on the 1st) but my mother didn't want to have a funeral during the winter. So almost 7 months later she has finally decided on a date at the end of June. Are there any online sites that I could look up things like that?

 

[Jynohn]

I'm very sorry about your dad's passing. My great uncle passed away last fall at the age of 89. He was such a wonderful guy, and never complained about a thing. Even when he was in the last stages of cancer and in terrible pain, when asked how he was feeling he would say, "everything's fine." That was his standard answer for everything. He wouldn't so much as ask us for a drink of water. We'd say "can I get you anything Uncle Frank?" and he'd respond, "nope, everything's fine."

When he passed and we were faced with deciding what to put on his stone, there was no question..."Everything's Fine" We thought that would make him happy, and we're pretty sure that everything IS fine

I hope you'll be able to find something that's just as fitting for your dad. Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Jynohn I like that! My father always answered that way too. Everything's Fine! I'm going to suggest that to my mother.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

We buried my mom last July in a national cemetery since my dad's a vet. We put "Till I Waltz Again With You" because that's how she ended all her letters to my dad when he was in Korea. On the other graves I saw a lot of Beloved Dad, husband etc. One said "Go Pats" not too dignified, but a diehard football fan! There were a few that were interesting in a different way; a pet nickname or phrase.

I'm sorry for your loss and wish your family the best...