Today, a tombstone is a tribute marking someone’s final resting place.
But the custom began within ancient fears that the departed spirit might rise from the grave to search out and inhabit the body of a living person.
To prevent this, the coffin was nailed shut, a heavy stone was placed on its lid, and it was buried deep in the ground.
For even greater security, another heavier stone was placed on the surface over the grave, giving us the tombstone.
