Content Analysis of Epitaphs in Iran: Insights from Eight Literary Works

Document Type : Original Article

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Faculty member of Humanities and Cultural Studies

10.22077/jcrl.2025.7552.1124

Abstract

Epitaphs hold significant sociological value for examining public attitudes toward death. Across various global cultures, composing poems and prose on epitaphs is a common practice. In a recent study, the content of epitaphs in Iran was scrutinized. The findings reveal that Iranian epitaphs predominantly feature the following elements: appeals to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and the infallible imams (peace be upon them), with particular emphasis on Imam Hussein (peace be upon him); detailing the occupation of the deceased, both explicitly and through descriptions of their belongings; the deceased's social status, subtly conveyed through verses, hadiths, and quotations; personal attributes of the deceased, such as age, gender, virtuous character, and nobility; references to the circumstances and location of death, including death during pilgrimages, martyrdom, and the belief in the evil eye; historical context of the time of death, often intertwined with appeals to the innocent (peace be upon them) and aspirations for the deceased to attain heaven; humor is also occasionally integrated into epitaphs; expressing benevolence through prayers for the deceased, pilgrims visiting the grave, and grieving friends; the portrayal of death as a transition rather than annihilation through statements announcing the passing; and the selection of Qur'anic surahs and verses for tomb inscriptions, with a focus on their eschatological significance, virtues, and properties, while also recognizing their social stature.

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Journal of Ritual Culture and Literature
Volume 3, Issue 2 - Serial Number 6
December 2025
Pages 89-112

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