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Has anyone heard the theory about the headstones on a grave were originally placed upon the grave to keep some people from coming back either physically or in spirit to haunt people?

Well, I have heard that they were a variation off of the old fashioned tombstones that were meant to keep things from getting in and out. So that would make sense.

It's true....

the name, "headstone", comes from the concept the a heavy stone was placed directly over the head of the deceased....

if the corpse began to "sit up", the heavy stone would prevent that, and keep the body in the ground.

Today, burial culture has altered the custom to include the deceased name, date of birth and death, and various imaging relating to deceased.

iv heard of it but iv all so heard that they put them there to help name who at rest iv heard they where stared as a way to make money iv heard many storys about them its hard to say whats real or not

I have heard that, thats why in some smaller older towns, when a grave marker is broke, they replace it quickly, because some still belive in that.

I myself thought the tomb stones were placed to remember where they buried the deceased. I have to look further into this topic. It is rather interesting.

I think perhaps they may have served more than one purpose, then of course it may depend on the traditions of various countries.

I wouldnt be surprised to be honest, what with the amount of superstition and grave robber's that swarmed around back in the old days. I suppose gradually they made tomb stone's more into a decorative use.
Like in the 19th century, they would build huge gravestone's simply to flash cash lol.

"When i die...Pimp my grave..."

Yes I've heard that. It was something about a body not being recognised as being there & they began to haunt the area

I have never heard of this, I have always thought that the headstone was just used as a sort of marker to let you know where the deceased was buried. In a way it makes sense because of how superstitious the people were back then.

This does make sense with all the other superstitions that abound about people coming back from the dead, etc and the wake. I guess I should watch out here because most places don't allow those in cemeteries much where I live anymore...just small stone slabs. The big headstones get in the way of those who ride around on lawn mowers, lol.

Headstones,,, decorative and yet serve a purpose! =)

Yes i have heard about that....and in the olden days that was one of the reasons why they put them upon the graves.

when i was little my aunt told me that but ive never really believed it

i still like the look of some tombstones
however, i think that cemeteries are a waste of space, the bodies are dead and there is no reason to keep them

I had heard that but never knew if it was just someone trying to kid me or they were serious about it.
I guess depending on the person buried it would be a good idea to keep them in the ground but would be nice to have the good people that are really missed to be able to come back.

I never heard of it but then I dont get out that much...lol

I have heard something to that effect. I know that superstitions abound about people coming back from the dead, so I can see where it comes from. For myself, I just love to go to cemeteries and read the old tombstones. Some of them are hysterical and others are so sad. I want something funny written on mine, a little Irish humor as it were. LOL

The orginal headstones as we know them today came about during the Roman Empire when the worts possible thin you could have happe is being forgotten.

I never heard that. I always thought it was to mark a grave so you know whom was there.

they could have served one puprose in the past and another now.. I know some were also designed for diffrent things...Like they have some that look like benches.. and stuff like that..

There seems to be no discussion going on within this thread. It is either "Yes, I've heard" or "No, I haven't."

Since it's not really going anywhere, I am closing it.