People's last words stick with us for a long time, but memory fades, and stone doesn't. Unless you get cremated, and your ashes end up in an urn, your remains get a grave and a headstone, and together with it - the last opportunity for a funny epitaph to entertain those who drop by for a visit.
The people below were not famous for their lives but rather because of their undying sense of humor engraved into their funny gravestones. From cute puns and dad jokes from the afterlife to warnings about the great beyond, these funny tombstones show that death is not always so serious.
Bored Panda has compiled a list of funny epitaphs on tombstones, proving that a sense of humor can live forever. From a delicious fudge recipe to an unapologetic joke about religion, these people are the nonliving examples of the right attitude. Scroll down to check out the deadly funny gravestones!
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Gay Vietnam Veteran
Very deep, meaningful and discussion moving. Another example of showing how twisted general ethics are in (I guess) America and many other places in the world. If violence is virtue and love is a crime, then "I want everyone corrupted" too.
Yeah, a large part of the world is stupid, gullible and easy to be emotionally manipulated.
Load More Replies...Despite being discharged due to his sexuality, the Air Force gave him a burial with full military honours. This man, was a hero, in so many ways, for many reasons, to many people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Matlovich
If you are a hero, it doesn't mean that everything you do is right.
Load More Replies...this says everything you need to know about humanity. How very depressing. RIP whoever you are.
If You Can Read This
Omg, this is hilarious :D I wonder if Janet had the wish to write it on her tombstone or if her relatives are just douche bags :D
She probably made the comment while walking in a graveyard, and her family remembered
Load More Replies...Its not photoshopped. You're looking at it wrong. It's on the bottom stone that holds the other.
This sounds like a Texas girl! Bigger than life, or should I say, bigger than death?
It's called a Headstone so the body is in the back of the stone, head at the stone, so no stepping on boobs.
Walking Through A Cemetery When All Of A Sudden...
It has been five years since you posted this comments. Yet I shall keep it at 69.
Load More Replies...It's actually written in Irish on his headstone :) Spike-59f1...3b872b.jpg
Love this gravestone of Spike Milligan. When I listen to The Goon Show it reminds me of him.
This is actually, for real on a tombstone in the Key West Cemetery.
Load More Replies...Which Celebrities Have Funny Epitaphs On Their Gravestones?
An epitaph, literally “on the grave” in the Greek language, is usually a text inscribed on a gravestone or a plaque to honor the dead. That said, not everyone wants to be remembered in a grave tone (pun very much intended) and might opt for something a bit more lighthearted and truer to their nature. Quite a few celebrities and famous people prove this point, and here are some funny tombstone sayings inscribed on their gravestones:
- "He died in bed." — Tombstone of renowned gunfighter Doc Holliday (1851—1887).
- "I told you I was sick." — Tombstone of Spike Milligan (1918—2002), British actor.
- "I'm in on a plot." — Tombstone of Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980), British director.
- "For a good time, dig." — Epitaph of Platy Paul.
- "He neither drank, smoked, nor rode a bicycle. Living frugally and saving his money, he died early, surrounded by greedy relatives. It was a great lesson to me." — John Barrymore (1882—1942), American actor.
- "That's All Folks!" — Epitaph of Mel Blanc, The Man of a Thousand Voices.
While for some funny tombstones have no place in a cemetery, for others, it might be the ultimate last chance to show the world who they were and how they’d like to be remembered. And why not?
I Was Hoping For A Pyramid
thats just amazing that people with the sense of homour even the subject was death
Still There Was Love
Haha.. this triggered some of my childhood memories. I love my sisters!
Me too, we were four sisters (and a brother) with one bathroom. I can't remember having any fight/discussion in, or about being in, the bathroom
Load More Replies...My parents raised 6 daughters and 3 sons--most of the time with an outhouse! But we had food, clothes, faith in Jesus and lots of love, laughter and music--oh, how I miss all of our voices singing to Daddy's playing the piano, accordian, or guitar.
Nowadays they raise 1 daughter with 4 bathrooms, no love and finally divorce 'cos they can't afford the mortgage! Bring back the days when we were much happier with much less.
Load More Replies...This could my mom's and dad's gravestones and describes our family of 4 daughters and 1 bathroom. Fond memories and lots of love.
Visiting My Grandma's Grave And Found This On A Tombstone Nearby
This is a P.S. about the 6 ft comment--married to someone who is a sexton in a number of small cemeteries--they are only buried 4 and 1/2 ft. deep now. Back before caskets and vaults, it was 6 ft deep to keep animals from digging them up.
These seem a tad disrespectful....i hope they had the deceased's permission to do thiss. That aside, some of these are truly hilarious. And quite beautiful. I actually like the cascading "D E A D" one. Who says death has to be boring? 😏
What Are Some Famous Epitaphs?
Funny headstones or serious ones, some are still better than the rest. And by better, we mean they got famous and were often quoted with the passing of time. If you’ve always wondered who got those tombstone ideas to the point, here are some sayings that became just as well-known as the people behind them:
- “Cursed be he that moves my bones” – tombstone of William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British writer.
- “O.K...I gotta go now.” – Dee Dee Ramone (1952 - 2002), American musician.
- “The best is yet to come” – Frank Sinatra (1915 - 1998), American singer.
- “Free at last. Free at last. Thank God Almighty I’m free at last.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968), American civil rights activist.
- “Quoth the raven…Nevermore” – Edgar Allan Poe (1849 - 1875), American writer.
- "Don't try." – Charles Bukowski (1920 - 1994), American writer.
Unsurprisingly, most of the famous and funny epitaphs can be found on writers’ gravestones; after all, they’re the people who know the exact power of words!
Now, are you ready for more funny gravestone names? If so, there’s still a whole list to go through! And if you were wondering where you could use these epitaphs, we have an idea—turn them into Halloween tombstone names when the next All Hallows Eve comes around.
All Dressed Up An No Place To Go
Im an athiest there will be no funeral for me. Just turn my ashes into a tree and call it good
Give your body to science =) That's what I will do.
Load More Replies...Why would a gravestone say, "GRAVESTONE IN THURMONT, MD" on it? This is b******t. If there really is such a gravestone, why not show it instead of this photoshopped one?
Kay's Fudge
Everybody probably asked for her fudge recipe after she died...
Load More Replies...The way I heard it, people kept asking this lady to share her fudge recipe and she would always say, "Over my dead body!"
``I`ll give you the recpe over my dead body`` taken to a whole new level!!!
That's An Unusually Fun Tomb Stone
It's the tomb of Patrick Caulfield, located in Highgate cemetery, London, UK.
Finally
A charming area of Washington DC - The preferred home for many Staffers working in the US Capitol. Narrow streets and lots of small businesses and perfect brick walkup houses. Bikeable and walkable, along the river, but the main road thru leads to other lovely neighborhoods...so one needs patence and time to be in this kind of place, so don't come if you can't enjoy the Georgetown arrival / departure process,yes? . Great people watching and history around here. Always happening, yet a reasonably quiet enclave. Bus+ walk was my preferred way to visit when I owned a house in DC. Or a ( LYFT) Limo with no parking planned there
Load More Replies...That's All Folks
He was the voice of so many cartoon characters, this was a sad day when he left. I remember it.
Pardon For Not Rising
This Man's Tombstone Is A Giant Middle Finger
I don't like the caption, instead caption should be - "There lies a legend"!
Still wouldn't make sense as it is a a historical marker and not a headstone
Load More Replies...No, he was at Menotomy, now Arlington. This is in Arlington Center
Load More Replies...Merv Griffin Grave
Oh no! I did not know that! I can't watch Wheel of Fortune the same way again.
Oops hit button but anyway! Looking back his calm demeanor was boring but he was successful & went on to produce all sorts of big time shows like Wheel of Fortune & stuff. Guess he had the last laugh!
Go Away
Ouija Grave
Hidden Message
I can just imagine that he left too soon & tore out a few people's hearts because of it.
I Came Here Without Being Consulted
I am seeing a strange pattern here. What actual tombstone Has words carved on the bottom that say "Gravestone in... cemetery...? I think some of these are fakes
If there really is such a grave in St. Elmo Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN, then why not show a picture of it, instead of this fake?
It says it's in ST. ELMO cemetary too. This grave is brought to you by the number 6 (feet under)
Found While Out Planting Flags In The Cemetery For Memorial Day
Shit Happens
It's the high contrast from taking a picture in midday sun. I know, I'm a photographer :)
Load More Replies...My grandfather was named on his birth certificate after his mother who died in childbirth. But he went by D**k, which had nothing to do with his given name!
Load More Replies...only 50 years young :/ wonder what happened ... missed all those great inventions.
Arthur And His Wife
She Always Said Her Feet Were Killing Her, But No One Believed Her
Uncle Walter
Funny Tombstone Sayings
It's recorded as being an inscription on a gravestone for Frances Eileen Thatcher in Prairie Mound Cemetery, Oregon, Wisconsin, but it would have to be on the back of the stone. There's a photo of the front and it's not there. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24069381
Load More Replies...She Answered
I think that pic of Kim is engraved in stone. 100 points to the tombstone creator.
It's laser etching. They can get really elaborate
Load More Replies...Here lies the body of Les Moore four shots from a forty four No Les, no Moore. Tombstone Arizona
Think Of Me And Smile
I See Dumb People
Wow.. so young. I wonder who came up with the comment? A 16 year old or her parents? so much of a life that is going to be missed. sad
On The Backside Of Mom's Headstone
I think this is the lady who had refused, in life, to give out her Christmas Cookie recipe. She said, "Over my dead body."
I feel really bad benefiting off of these peoples deaths, and hoping that I there is more recipes to add to my new Christmas cookie and fudge ones I just got.
LOL FABULOUS1 you obviously don’t feel bad enough.
Load More Replies...No dish in this entire world can beat a Mom's cookies. Ohh this is sad.
Nice! I will add this to the gravestone collection of recipes like the brownies....
Found This Gem At The Local Cemetery, When You See It
. "You are invited to the Burger-Fries wedding." Their first son's name is Ronald!
Daddy's Own Language On A Headstone
Now what do I put on my Tome stone Extra Cheese and pepperoni That's a Tomestone Pizza That is..!!..!!..
Sucks To Be Me
It is my Brother’s tombstone, and it is 100% real. His name was Thomas Christopher Mugrage. He is buried in Powers Chapel Cemetery in Cedar Springs, Texas. The tense is wrong because it was written in the exact way he spoke the phrase when he was alive.
I really want to know the story behind this. This cannot be just random.
She's Surely Going To Hell
Just went off to read up on this one. Apparently he commissioned the headstone and bought the plot ahead of time, but then went on and remarried another woman called Domnita. He died in 2011 and is actually buried with her (or in a double plot awaiting her, couldn't find anything else about her or Eleanor) elsewhere. This headstone was erected on the original plot but was removed at Domnita's request and the plot resold in 2014.
When I was reading it, I felt like I was watching a sad film. My imagination sucks.
we Jews very much believe in Heaven and Hell, it plays a key role in mourning and memorium in our religion. We just have a very different version of it from Christians and other religions. Hollywood has promoted the myth we don't. The Reconstructionist Jewish denomination (the smallest in our faith and founded in the 1920's) does not, and Reform Judaism in the 20th century did away with Hell from their religious beliefs, but until 100 years ago or so, all Jews did. And Still till today Orthodox, Conservative, and Traditional Jews still do, in fact in Israel about 70% of Jews believe in Heaven and Hell.
Load More Replies...Do Not Enter
Not so secret. We'll all go through it some day.
Load More Replies...My Great Grandfathers Headstone. I Have Never Met Him, But I Wish I Had
Let 'Er Rip
He loved going on talk shows and pretending to fart while he was talking to the host.
Oh Well
Clay Allison Never Killed A Man That Did Not Need Killing
Really! Well, this is one family tradition I suggest you drop.
Load More Replies...Nobody's Perfect
I think it's a wonderful thing to be a writer. The person may have passed on, but his stories will forever .
Billy Wilder directed a number of movies including Some Like it Hot with Marilyn Monroe. "Nobody's Perfect" is the last line of that movie.
Billy Wilder was one of the best! His movies still rock. Thanks, Billy.
This is at Westwood Memorial Park, in Los Angeles, CA. Been there many times.
Loved your movies Mr. Wilder. "Some Like It Hot" was a really funny film. R.I.P.
Have A Seat
I Do Work For Cemeteries And This Is One Of The More Bizzare Quotes I've Seen On A Headstone
Went In The Hole With This One
He Was Right
Just knew it.....have seen it several times........
Load More Replies...According to Wikipedia, this is a fake grave, made to encourage tourism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boothill_Graveyard_(Tombstone,_Arizona)#Notable_grave_markers_but_fictitious_burials
Poor guy. At least they admitted their mistake even though it was too late.🙁
This Tombstone On A Beach Graveyard
Two smaller stones. Jewish tradition-when they coming to visit, they leave a small stone on top. I like everything about this story.
Load More Replies...Steve And Anya Left Something After Them
Yeah, they will get there money. We'll pay for it in higher interest fees. :(
Load More Replies...It should say, "Here lie Steve and Anya". "Here lies" would be for one person. Bad grammar on a gravestone doesn't seem to be as common as bad grammar on tattoos, but it's just as difficult to fix, I suppose.
Well This Sucks
I Knew This Would Happen
Interesting that he listed his great grandparents, and none of the others.
Maybe they were the only ones he was proud to be related to.
Load More Replies...Never Satisfied - Will Be Back
Russian name, both born in China, ending up in Oregon; they must have quite a story to tell.
They were probably White Russians fleeing from the Russian Civil War and Revolution. There was a considerable community of people like that in the foreign concessions in Shanghai. They left again with the Chinese civil war and revolution.
Load More Replies...They were most likely fans of Van Gogh and changed their name when they immigrated .
George Spencer Millet
In 1909, an ink eraser was very much like a scalpel, it was used to literally scrape away the fibers of paper (or parchment) along with the ink.
Load More Replies...That's why mom says to never run with scissors... I guess back then it was never run with an ink eraser :/
Don't You Cry
Looks like something for a Halloween decoration, probably made of Styrofoam.
There are *at least* 2 people on HalloweenForum.com who lay claim to having made fake stones with that name. The page this pic was taken from has tags including "halloween" and "homemade". I think it's safe to say that this is fake.
Dad Wanted To Update My Grandparents' Tombstone To Include My Uncle Who Died This Year. He Sent Sample Text To Show The Font He Wanted For The Names
The test sentence itself is incorrect as we all learned in typing class .
The Doctor Will See You Soon
Here Lies Pa
Actually, he should've f****d Ma instead and avoid the whole thing.
Load More Replies...The gravestone is real, but he died after a long illness, according to his obituary. The obit has been edited "to protect the living", though. Intriguing! https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7333703/lawrence-leroy-cook
Found This Tombstone At A Cemetery In Salt Lake City, UT
They were probably Mormon, we believe that after the Second Coming of Christ everyone will be resurrected and have Eternal Life/ immortality.
Load More Replies...Best Damn Moonshiner
When I saw this listing on Find a Grave I thought it had to be faked somehow, but there really is a place called Sewanee with a cemetery called O'Dear cemetery. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52196475
Gabe Salutes You
I remember this Tombstone.This belongs to teenager..(You can find his grave at findagrave's interesting epitaph collection.so sad to see kid's grave.)
Load More Replies...I Chuckle Every Time I Go To The Cemetery
Typically the large single word would be the family's last name. Surname or whatever.
Load More Replies...Oh, the fun you could've had naming your kids...Epic, Major, Doomedto, Colossal...
Everything About This Tombstone
This Ain't Bad Once You Get Used To It
Good At Pissing People Off
What A Relief
This Tombstone
I was thinking exactly the same thing. There's a date of death for Jerry but not for Jeanette. The lady might still find love again.
Load More Replies...From what i see she's not dead yet, she might get married again and actually get shot...
Too Bad, We Had Fun
Laughing All The Way To The Grave
It's awful to have the birthing date of someone who is still alive on the tombstone - as if you are just waiting for him to be here.
The owner does that themselves, to assure themselves that one day, they will lie next to a loved one.
Load More Replies...What is with the rather prominent "SLUG"??? I'd find another stone cutter.
This Tombstone Was In The Italian Section Of The Park
It Happens
Nope. The quote in front mean this one is just "It Happens."
Load More Replies...The Epitaph
Well, I'm pretty sure nobody forced him to get all those wives... so you get what you want!
There's Only Two Things In Life But I Forget What They Are
Bad grammar on gravestones isn't as common as bad grammar on tattoos, but it's just as difficult to correct. "There ARE only two things..."
My Loss, But Your Gain
Probably, he wanted his organs to be donated once he died, he lost them but someone gained from it.
Load More Replies...Killed For Making Huge Salad
This is definitely fake. No one would phrase words like this in 1641. Too modern
I doubt that the nickname Larry would've been used in the early 1600s and wouldn't have been put on a gravestone, even if it were used at that time. Looks fake to me, and the language overall doesn't seem like it's from that period either.
They didn't have fonts in 1641. It was all skill, eye, and talent.
Load More Replies...the tombstone looks good for 400 years old
Load More Replies...This is by the same person who made the fake tombstone with the rhyme "Here Lies Scott Left Here To Rot". His original post also claims that he "found it in the Italian section of the park" and his tags include "halloween". Definitely fake.
A Noisy, Antiquated Teacher's Tombstone
Please correct me if I am wrong. This is just my impression.
Load More Replies...I don't think a teacher would approve of the improper use of the word "laid." At last I hope she wouldn't.
I have seen, in person, the gay Vietnam veteran headstone in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC. It is not F-A-K-E or F-U-N-N-Y!!! He severed honorably just I as did in Vietnam in 66-67.
Load More Replies...There is one in my local graveyard from the early 1900's that says: "Here I sit as you pass by, for as you are so once was I, and as I am so you shall be, prepare yourself to follow me". I think it's brilliant.
That's actually stolen and misquoted from a 500 yr old stone in Wales I'm certain .K.
Load More Replies...I really want a bench when I will die (unless I will be able to get the big crypt with my face on it and small park). There will be written something like "Have some rest like me and tell me a good story."
Rodney Dangerfield has a great one: "There goes the neigbourhood". rodney-59f...7f30e3.jpg
mine is gonna be "so long and goodnight,m***********s!" or "I've walked a lonely road,the only one that I have ever known"
Are these all from USA? Funny to think about that it's allowed to do these black humour engravings there, or at least I have the impression that they take their religion quite seriously. In Scandinavia where huge part of the population are atheists and religion is just everyone's own business, this just wouldn't be possible or in good taste. In here modern tombstones are quite boring and you can't even get crazier one if you wanted - chrurches want their cemeteries to look consistent and don't allow too tall or large or just odd looking stones. I absolutely love these!
We have many large cemeteries that are not associated with churches here in America.
Load More Replies...I wonder who decides what to write in their tombstone? some of it seems like, written by the ones they left behind.
I have seen, in person, the gay Vietnam veteran headstone in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC. It is not F-A-K-E or F-U-N-N-Y!!! He severed honorably just I as did in Vietnam in 66-67.
Load More Replies...There is one in my local graveyard from the early 1900's that says: "Here I sit as you pass by, for as you are so once was I, and as I am so you shall be, prepare yourself to follow me". I think it's brilliant.
That's actually stolen and misquoted from a 500 yr old stone in Wales I'm certain .K.
Load More Replies...I really want a bench when I will die (unless I will be able to get the big crypt with my face on it and small park). There will be written something like "Have some rest like me and tell me a good story."
Rodney Dangerfield has a great one: "There goes the neigbourhood". rodney-59f...7f30e3.jpg
mine is gonna be "so long and goodnight,m***********s!" or "I've walked a lonely road,the only one that I have ever known"
Are these all from USA? Funny to think about that it's allowed to do these black humour engravings there, or at least I have the impression that they take their religion quite seriously. In Scandinavia where huge part of the population are atheists and religion is just everyone's own business, this just wouldn't be possible or in good taste. In here modern tombstones are quite boring and you can't even get crazier one if you wanted - chrurches want their cemeteries to look consistent and don't allow too tall or large or just odd looking stones. I absolutely love these!
We have many large cemeteries that are not associated with churches here in America.
Load More Replies...I wonder who decides what to write in their tombstone? some of it seems like, written by the ones they left behind.
