Before entering fully into the meaning of the term epitaph, we will proceed to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can establish that it derives from the Greek, exactly from “epitaphius”, which is the result of the sum of the following lexical components:
-The prefix “epi”, which means “on”.
-The noun “taphos”, which can be translated as “grave”.
The notion of epitaph refers to the inscription that is placed next to a grave, headstone or sepulcher. It is usually a short text chosen by the deceased or selected by their loved ones.
At first the concept referred to the verses that were recited during the funeral. Over time, it became associated with the aforementioned inscription. The epitaph includes certain general information about the deceased, such as his full name, his date of birth and the day of his death. Then verses or lines of text can be added that pay homage or that invite some kind of reflection.
Frank Sinatra, for example, chose for his epitaph a motto that possibly summarizes what his philosophy of life was or that seeks to motivate those who come to visit his grave: "The best is yet to come" , an expression that can be translated as " The best is yet to come ” .
Another epitaph that became popular is that of Mel Blanc, a voice actor who contributed his voice to animated characters from Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros such as Bugs Bunny, Porky and Daffy Duck. "That's all, folks" , that is to say "That's all, friends" , is the inscription that is read next to his mortal remains, the same one that appears at the end of the cartoons.
In the same way, there are many other epitaphs of famous people that have managed to attract the attention powerfully:
-The one in the tomb of William Shakespeare says: “Good friend, for Jesus, refrain from digging the dust here. Blessed is the man who respects these stones and cursed is he who removes my bones ”.
-The epitaph of the humorist and actor Mario Moreno “Cantiflas” makes it clear that he dedicated himself as it says: “It seems that he has gone, but no”.
-No less singular and curious is the epitaph found in the tomb of Donatien Alphonse François de Sade reads: "If I didn't live any longer, it was because I didn't have time."
-One of the most visited tombs in the United States both for the figure to which it belongs and for its epitaph is that of Martin Luther King. It says like this: “Free at last. Free at last. Thank you almighty God. I am free at last ”.
-It is also very unique and even humorous that of the writer Dorothy Parker because she says in this way: "Forgive me for my dust."