For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, death is not a final farewell. It is a temporary separation, a step in the eternal plan that God has for each of His children. This understanding of the afterlife, rooted in restored scripture and prophetic teaching, shapes every aspect of how Latter-day Saint families approach funerals, burial, and the memorials they choose to mark the resting places of their loved ones.
This guide explores the traditions, symbols, and beliefs that inform LDS memorial choices. Whether you are an active member of the Church, a family member supporting a Latter-day Saint loved one, or simply seeking to understand these traditions, we offer this resource with respect for the faith and the families who hold it dear.
Faith and the Plan of Salvation
At the heart of Latter-day Saint belief about death is the Plan of Salvation, sometimes called the Plan of Happiness. This doctrine teaches that every person existed as a spirit before birth, came to earth to receive a body and gain experience, and will continue to live after death as they await the resurrection and final judgment.
When a Latter-day Saint dies, the Church teaches that the spirit separates from the body and enters the spirit world, a place of rest and continued growth for the righteous. The body will eventually be resurrected, reunited with the spirit in a perfected, immortal form. This belief gives LDS funerals and memorials a distinctive tone of hope, even in the midst of genuine grief.
Because Latter-day Saints believe that this life is part of a much larger eternal journey, headstone inscriptions often reflect not just the life that was lived on earth, but the eternal perspective that sustained the person through it. Phrases about returning home, being reunited with family, and entering God's presence are common and carry deep theological significance.
"Families Are Forever"
Perhaps no phrase is more central to Latter-day Saint culture than "Families Are Forever." This is not merely a comforting sentiment. It is a core doctrine of the Church, rooted in the belief that families can be sealed together for eternity through sacred ordinances performed in Latter-day Saint temples.
The sealing ordinance binds husband and wife, parents and children, across generations, not just for this life but for all eternity. When a sealed family member dies, the family's grief is tempered by the assurance that the separation is temporary. They will be together again, not just in memory, but in reality.
This belief profoundly influences headstone choices. Many LDS families include phrases like "Together Forever," "Sealed for Eternity," or "Until We Meet Again" on their markers. Companion headstones for married couples often include temple imagery, reinforcing the eternal nature of their bond. For Latter-day Saints, the headstone is not just a record of an earthly life. It is a declaration of an eternal one.
The Angel Moroni
The Angel Moroni is one of the most recognizable symbols of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A golden figure sounding a trumpet, Moroni stands atop most Latter-day Saint temples around the world.
Who Was Moroni?
In Latter-day Saint belief, Moroni was the last prophet to write in the Book of Mormon, completing the record around 421 A.D. He buried the golden plates in the Hill Cumorah in what is now New York State. More than 1,400 years later, as a resurrected being, Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and directed him to the plates, which Smith translated into the Book of Mormon.
Moroni on Headstones
An image of the Angel Moroni on a headstone is a powerful declaration of Latter-day Saint faith. It connects the deceased to the restoration of the gospel and to the Church that has been central to their life. The trumpeting angel also symbolizes the proclamation of the gospel to all the world, a mission that many Latter-day Saints participated in during their lifetimes as full-time missionaries.
On a 28x16x3in flat marker, the Angel Moroni can be rendered as a detailed sandblasted image, either as the primary design element or as part of a larger composition that includes temple imagery and inscriptions.
Temple Imagery on Headstones
Latter-day Saint temples are sacred spaces where the most important ordinances of the faith are performed, including eternal marriage sealings, baptisms for the dead, and endowments. Temples hold a central place in the hearts of faithful members, and their imagery appears frequently on LDS headstones.
Why the Temple?
For Latter-day Saints, the temple represents the highest aspirations of their faith. It is the house of the Lord, a place where heaven and earth meet. Including a temple on a headstone signifies that the deceased was a temple-attending member, that they participated in sacred ordinances, and that they lived with an eternal perspective. It is also a reminder of the sealing ordinance that binds families together beyond death.
Specific Temple Designs
Some families choose to include an image of a specific temple that held special meaning in the deceased's life, perhaps the temple where they were sealed, the temple nearest to their home, or the temple where they served. The Salt Lake Temple, with its iconic six spires, is the most commonly depicted, but any temple can be represented.
Temple-Related Phrases
Alongside temple imagery, families often include phrases that connect to the temple experience:
- "Sealed for Time and All Eternity"
- "Holiness to the Lord"
- "The House of the Lord"
- "Together Forever"
- "Endowed with Power from on High"
CTR and Other LDS Symbols
Beyond the Angel Moroni and temple imagery, several other symbols hold special meaning within Latter-day Saint culture and may appear on headstones.
CTR Shield
"CTR" stands for "Choose the Right," a phrase taught to Latter-day Saint children from a young age. The CTR shield is a small, shield-shaped emblem that many members associate with their earliest experiences in the Church. On a headstone, the CTR shield represents a life lived in pursuit of righteous choices. It is a particularly touching addition for someone who taught Primary (the Church's children organization) or who was known for their commitment to living the gospel in everyday decisions.
The Christus
The Christus is a replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen's marble statue of the resurrected Christ, prominently displayed at Temple Square in Salt Lake City and in many Latter-day Saint visitors' centers. Christ stands with arms outstretched and nail prints visible in His hands. The Christus has become closely associated with the Latter-day Saint faith and is sometimes represented on headstones as a symbol of the member's testimony of Jesus Christ.
Beehive
The beehive is a symbol of industry and cooperative effort in Latter-day Saint culture, originating from the early pioneer days in Utah. The word "Deseret," from the Book of Mormon, means "honeybee." A beehive on a headstone speaks to the deceased's industriousness, community service, and connection to the pioneer heritage of the Church.
Pioneer Handcart
For families with pioneer heritage, a handcart image honors ancestors who crossed the American plains to settle in the Salt Lake Valley. Pioneer heritage is deeply valued in Latter-day Saint culture, and a handcart on a headstone connects the deceased to that legacy of faith and sacrifice.
LDS Scriptures for Headstones
Latter-day Saints draw from an expanded canon of scripture that includes the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. All four books of scripture provide meaningful passages for headstone inscriptions.
Book of Mormon Verses
- Alma 40:11-12: "The spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace."
- Moroni 10:34: "And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God."
- 2 Nephi 9:13: "O how great the plan of our God! For the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous."
- Mosiah 16:8: "The sting of death is swallowed up in Christ."
- Ether 12:4: "Whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world."
Doctrine and Covenants
- D&C 42:45: "Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die, and more especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection."
- D&C 76:69: "These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant."
- D&C 138:12: "They were assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world, to declare their redemption from the bands of death."
- D&C 130:2: "That same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory."
Bible Verses Meaningful to LDS Families
- 1 Corinthians 15:22: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
- John 14:2: "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
- Revelation 14:13: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
For a broader collection of inscription ideas, including religious and secular options, see our guide to 200+ headstone epitaph ideas.
Common LDS Phrases and Inscriptions
Beyond scripture, many Latter-day Saint families use phrases that reflect the unique doctrines and culture of their faith:
- "Families Are Forever"
- "Together for Eternity"
- "Sealed in the House of the Lord"
- "Returned to Heavenly Father"
- "Called Home"
- "Until We Meet Again"
- "Faithful Servant of the Lord"
- "A Beloved Daughter/Son of God"
- "Endured to the End"
- "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
- "His/Her Work Is Not Done"
- "Gone to a Glorious Reunion"
Phrases like "Returned Missionary" or "Eagle Scout" also appear on some LDS headstones, reflecting accomplishments that held deep significance in the person's life and faith journey. A companion marker might include the date and location of the couple's temple sealing alongside their birth and death dates.
Dedication of the Grave
One of the most distinctive Latter-day Saint funeral traditions is the dedication of the grave. This is a priesthood ordinance performed at the graveside, typically by a family member or friend who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood.
What Happens During the Dedication?
The priesthood holder, acting under the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, dedicates the burial plot as a resting place for the deceased until the resurrection. The dedicatory prayer typically:
- Addresses Heavenly Father
- Acts by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood
- Dedicates and consecrates the burial plot
- Prays for the protection of the grave site
- Asks that the spot be hallowed and protected until the resurrection
- Offers comfort and blessings for the family
- Closes in the name of Jesus Christ
Significance for the Family
The dedication of the grave is a sacred moment for LDS families. It represents the priesthood's role in caring for the deceased even after death and provides spiritual assurance that the burial place is under God's protection. Some families note on the headstone that the grave was dedicated, though this is a matter of personal preference.
LDS Funeral Traditions
Latter-day Saint funerals are typically held in a Church meetinghouse (chapel) and are presided over by a bishop or a member of the stake presidency. While they include elements common to many Christian funerals, such as hymns, prayers, and eulogies, LDS funerals have several distinctive characteristics.
Focus on the Plan of Salvation
The funeral is treated as a time to teach and testify about the Plan of Salvation. Speakers are encouraged to offer not just personal memories but also gospel perspective on death, resurrection, and eternal families. The tone is one of hope alongside grief, acknowledging the pain of separation while affirming the promise of reunion.
Temple Clothing
Endowed members of the Church are typically dressed in their temple clothing for burial. This practice reflects the sacredness of temple covenants and the belief that the body will be resurrected in a glorified state. The preparation of the body for burial in temple clothing is done with great care and reverence, usually by family members or trusted friends of the same gender.
Hymns and Music
LDS funerals typically feature hymns from the official Church hymnal. Some of the most commonly sung funeral hymns include:
- "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
- "Come, Come, Ye Saints"
- "How Great Thou Art"
- "God Be with You Till We Meet Again"
- "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good"
- "O My Father"
Lines from these hymns sometimes make their way onto headstones as inscriptions, connecting the permanent memorial to the funeral service.
Headstone Timing
There is no specific Church policy dictating when a headstone should be placed after burial. Most LDS families order a marker within the first few months, once the ground has settled and the family has had time to grieve and consider their options. Some families choose a headstone design before the funeral, while others take several months to decide.
LDS Design Templates
At SilkStone Memorials, we offer a collection of Latter-day Saint design templates created specifically for our 28x16x3in Himalayan granite flat markers. These templates incorporate the symbols and imagery that are meaningful to LDS families.
Our LDS design collection includes:
- 3 single-person designs: Featuring Angel Moroni imagery, temple silhouettes, and other Latter-day Saint symbols appropriate for individual markers, with space for names, dates, and inscriptions.
Each template can be personalized with specific temple imagery (such as the Salt Lake Temple, Provo Temple, or any other temple), names, dates, sealing information, and the inscription of your choosing. We send a digital proof so you can see exactly how the finished marker will look before sandblasting begins, and we make revisions until you are completely satisfied.
To explore all available designs, visit our design collection page, which includes LDS, book, border, and additional religious styles across 51 total templates.
Headstones for LDS Families in Utah
Utah is home to the largest concentration of Latter-day Saint families in the world, and the demand for memorials that reflect LDS beliefs and traditions is significant. Whether your family is in Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, St. George, Logan, or anywhere else in the state, SilkStone Memorials delivers directly to you.
Many Utah cemeteries have specific requirements for headstone dimensions, and our 28x16x3in flat granite markers meet the guidelines at most cemetery locations. However, we always recommend confirming your cemetery's specific rules before ordering. Our guide to cemetery headstone rules can help you know what questions to ask.
For LDS families in Utah, the combination of meaningful temple imagery, Book of Mormon scriptures, and eternal family phrases on a quality Himalayan granite marker creates a memorial that honors both the individual and the faith community they belonged to.
To learn more about ordering a headstone delivered to Utah, visit our Utah headstone delivery page, which includes information specific to families in the Beehive State.
Honoring Faith with SilkStone
We consider it a sacred responsibility to help Latter-day Saint families create memorials that reflect their faith, honor their loved ones, and stand as a testimony to the beliefs that sustained them in life. Every marker we create is approached with care and respect.
Our 28x16x3in flat markers are crafted from granite quarried in the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan, a region our family has worked with for generations. The engraving is done by sandblasting with stencils, producing crisp, permanent details, whether the design includes a delicate Angel Moroni, a detailed temple silhouette, or a simple CTR shield.
Markers start at $899 with free custom engraving included, covering names, dates, inscriptions, and your chosen design. Every stone ships via UPS Ground in a wooden crate with foam padding, fully insured, and can be delivered to your home, cemetery, or monument installer anywhere in the United States.
Standard production takes 4 to 8 weeks, with rush production available (2 weeks or less for an additional $300) for families who need their memorial sooner. Shop Pay installments allow you to split the cost into 4 interest-free payments, subject to eligibility.
If you are an LDS family looking for a headstone that truly reflects your testimony and your love for the person you have lost, please reach out. We would be honored to help you create something that speaks to the eternal nature of your family and your faith.