Marshall, Illinois

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ N:  The letter N is the 6th most frequently used letter in the English language. No dates are visible on this memorial, but what would you hypothesize? Clue 1: shape of memorial. Clue 2: Presence of surname initial. Clue 3: Gothic font. Marshall Cemetery. [2017]

Macon, Georgia

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ M:  The letter M is the 14th most frequently used letter in the English language. When you see a memorial shaped like this, with dates from the late 1800s, you expect to see a Gothic font? Pretty they may be, but generally unreadable. Riverside Cemetery. [2015]

Warrenton, North Carolina

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ L:  The letter L is the 11th most frequently used letter in the English language. That seems fitting since el is the first syllable in the word eleven. Here, that capital L looks very thorny, even barbed. Could it be an early example of a barbed-wire font? Providence United Methodist Church Cemetery at Afton. [2013]

Darien, Connecticut

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ K:  The letter K is the 22nd most frequently used letter in the English language. Here's the K on a quilt-like garden flag, where it shares the summer with red-white-and-blue icons of nationhood. The color coordination is striking, right down to the carnations. Spring Grove Cemetery. [2018]

Wilmington, Delaware

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ J:  The letter J is the 23rd most frequently used letter in the English language. Surprising: It's right down there with x, q, and z! Surprising: There seems to be no difference between Gothic capital I and Gothic capital J! Just take a look back at yesterday's initial. Can you tell the difference? Riverview Cemetery. [2017]

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ I:  The letter I is the 5th most frequently used letter in the English language. Would you recognize it as an I, if it were not for the surname on the headstone? Gothic letters are all form and no function. Atlantic City Cemetery. [2016]

Mt. Oreb, Ohio

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ H:  The letter H is the 8th most frequently used letter in the English language. Here, it is framed by a circle, which we might conceptualize as a halo. He was certainly a Christian (see the cross?) and his family name may have come down to us from "holy man." Mt. Oreb Cemetery. [2016]

Lamesa, Texas

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ G:  The letter G is the 17th most frequently used letter in the English language. Here, knowing that it can be seen from afar, the initial clings to the tree which shades El Baby's grave. That's thinking outside the casket (which is simply another word for 'box')! Dawson County Cemetery. [2018]

Wilmington, Delaware

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ F:  The letter F is the 16th most frequently used letter in the English language. Here, it stands sentry in the turret of a tomb-guarding castle (use your imagination!), no doubt watching out for the Second Coming. The diamond lenses (see them?) allow surveillance in all directions; they almost box the compass. Lombardy Cemetery. [2017]

Weldon, Illinois

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ E:  The letter E is the most frequently used letter in the English language. Here, it rests comfortably in the arms of a laurel wreath as if to proclaim two triumphant winners of the human race (man and wife). And, perhaps to proclaim E the winner of the English-usage alphabet race, as well. Nixon Township Cemetery. [2015]

Winchester, Kentucky

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ D:  The letter D is the 10th most frequently used letter in the English language. Here, it fills the belly of a penguin on a garden flag, adding a whimsical air to the grave of someone who died far too young. Winchester Cemetery. [2017]

Monson, Massachusetts

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ C:  The letter C is the 12th most frequently used letter in the English language. Here, it creates the base for a faux urn, symbolic of "ashes to ashes and dust to dust," which originates in Genesis 3:19: "for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Hillside Cemetery. [2013]

Bastrop, Texas

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ B:  The letter B is the 20th most frequently used letter in the English language. Here it is embedded in a shield of the type one would carry into battle. Or, imagine that shield at the end of a spoon's handle, marking ownership of exquisite flatware! Fairview Cemetery. [2015]

Barre, Vermont

Surname Initials as Identifying Logos ~ A:  The letter A is the third most frequently used letter in the English language. Here it stands alone in three dimensions, a tribute to the stone cutters of Barre who, using Rock of Ages granite, turned cemeteries nationwide into museum-quality sculpture gardens. Hope Cemetery. [2002]