Latin on Tombstones and Monuments

Latin often appears on tombstones and monuments. The following are some of the abbreviations and phrases frequently used.

• c., standing for circa or circum, about, is used with dates
• in aeternum, forever
• in perpetuum, forever
• ae., aet., aetat., stands for aetatis, of age
• anno aetatis suae, in the year of his (her) age
• ob., standing for obiit, he (she) died
• hic iacet, here lies
• R.I.P., standing for requiescat in pace, may he (she) rest in peace
• in memoriam, in memory, to the memory of
• A.D., standing for Anno Domini, in the year of (our) Lord