The Creepy Hollows Encyclopedia article has many photographs, unfortunately eBay only allows 10 per guide.

The artistry of the cemetery is often overlooked but the decoration on a tombstone can say a lot about the person beneath it and the people who erected it in their honor.  The art of tombstone construction has changed drastically over thousands of years.  Trends of great detail to simplicity have come and gone time and time again.  The constant is the love, beauty and sincerity behind those who request them.

So the next time you are in a cemetery take a long look around and see what new discoveries you make.  It's possible you'll see a cemetery in a whole new light!

Anchor

Symbol of hope, in honor of someone in the Navy or a seafarer

Angel

Symbol of religious belief, resurrection, ascension to the heavens

Angel with Jesus

Symbol of Christian belief, resurrection, ascension to the heavens

Angel Praying

Symbol of religious belief, prayer for forgiveness, prayer for safekeeping

Angel with Sword

Symbol of religious belief, symbol of victory, symbol of death avenged

Angel with Trumpet

Symbol of Christian belief, resurrection, ascension to the heavens

Angel Weeping

Symbol of religious belief, deep mourning

Arch

Victory over death

Arrow

Fragility of life, usually marks an unexpected death

Bible

Symbol of religious belief, priest or someone in the religious field

Two or Three Books

Traditionally represents Mormon headstones; the Bible and Book of Mormon and sometimes also the Doctrines

Broken Column

Loss of the head of the family

Broken Ring

Loss of spouse

Bugles

Military service

Butterfly

Loss of a youth or an unexpected death, ressurection, transformation, symbol of religious belief

Chalice

Symbol of religious belief, usually Catholic/Christian, represents the Sacraments

Cherub

Symbol of religious belief, loss of a youth

Corn

Someone who lived a naturally, long life

Cross

Symbol of religious belief, resurrection

Cross with Wreath

Symbol of religious belief, victory over death

Crossed Swords

Military service, usually someone with a high rank

Crown

Symbol of religious belief, victory over death, someone of royal blood

Dove

Symbol of religious belief, resurrection

Dragon

Symbol of religious belief, bravery, courage

Father Time

Recognition of mortality, long life

Flame

Eternally lighting a candle to show someone the way home

Flowers

Fragility of life

Fruits

Usually depicts someone who had a successful and bountiful life

Fully-Bloomed Rose

Someone who passed in the prime of their life

Grim Reaper

Death

Hand of God Chopping

Someone who passed unexpectedly

Hands

Saying goodbye and showing everlasting support

Harp

Giving thanks for life, someone musically adept

Heart

Loss of a love, symbol of religious belief

Hourglass

Recognition of mortality, showing time passed, more sand in top of the glass (someone young), less sand in the top of the glass (someone older)

Imps

Fragility of life

Ivy

The longer the vine the longer the lifespan usually

Lamb

A youth who has passed away, innocence, purity

Laurel

Some who led a prosperous life, victory over death

Lily

Cleansing of death from woe, innocence, purity

Lion

Courage, bravery, integrity

Oak Leaves & Acorns

Someone who lived a naturally, long life

Open Doors

Opening the doors to the heavens

Pall

Fragility of life

Palm Branch

Rejoice in death

Pets

Showing reverence to beloved family pets

Pomegranates

Spirituality, commitment to religion (usually Christianity)

Poppy

Eternal slumber

Portraits

Giving an eternal face to those passed

Rooster

Resurrection, symbol of religious belief

Rosebud

Lost love, death of a youth

Seashell

Immortality

Skull & Crossbones

Recognition of mortality, usually someone who died unexpectedly

Snake

Immortality

Snuffed Candle

Mortality, sometimes someone who died unexpectedly

Spade

Fragility of life

Stars & Stripes (without or without an eagle)

Victory over death, eternal freedom

Sun Rising

Beginning of a new life

Sun Setting

Fragility of life

Tree

Everlasting life, nature enthusiast

Weeping Willow

Mourning of deceased

Winged Face

Ascension of the soul

Wheat

Someone who lived a long life, and deemed successful by their family

Wilted Flower

Someone who lived a naturally, long life, symbolizes mourning, loss of a love

Wreath

Victory over death

Personalized Tombstone

A couple buried side-by-side, tombstone makes it appear they are lying next to each other in bed.

**Article taken from Creepy Hollows Encyclopedia