The Meaning Behind Placing Coins on Gravestones

Finding ways to celebrate a loved one’s memory becomes vital for many after they pass away, as losing a loved one is always a tough event. While flower arrangements and other tributes are typical, there is a specific meaning associated with laying pennies on gravestones, especially for veterans and service members and their families.

A Tradition Worth Keeping

Though its exact roots are unknown, some have speculated that the custom of laying coins on gravestones originated during the Roman Empire. However, according to Snopes, there is insufficient evidence to back up this assertion. However, one thing is certain: people who have a strong bond with military people are aware of the sacrifices they make and are looking for a significant way to remember their lost colleagues.

It became increasingly difficult for people to express their emotions honestly during the Vietnam War. It became customary to place a coin on a soldier’s tomb to signify that someone had paid them a visit without running the danger of awkward talks regarding the political sides of the conflict. The gesture was a straightforward but effective way for people to express respect and unity.

Symbolic Honor Representations

Every penny placed on a gravestone has a special meaning associated with it. Here are few instances:

A penny is a sign that someone has paid their respects and visited the tomb.
Deeper emotional significance can be derived from a nickel, which represents a bond between the individual who left it and the dead soldier from boot camp.
A dime signifies cooperation, even if it was just briefly before splitting up.
The most important coin, the quarter, acts as a monument by informing the bereaved family that the person who left the coin was there during their time of grief.

These coins remind us of the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military and act as tangible representations of respect and tribute, bridging the gap between the past and present.

Past Gravestones

Not all military traditions involve coins, such as placing money on gravestones. Military troops are big fans of challenge coins, which have no monetary worth but are extremely significant. These coins, which stand for oneness, are frequently traded as trophies of friendship and honor.

Throughout history, coins have also had a variety of roles in cultural practices. They have been regarded as representations of good fortune, giving, and even riches. While this isn’t always the case, some people in the past were buried with their riches. For instance, it’s been reported that two dollars and fifty cents were buried with Abraham Lincoln’s eyes covered.

The deeper significance of laying pennies on gravestones is to commemorate and recognize the extraordinary efforts made by those who are serving in the military and their families, even though there may not be a clear relationship between money and this practice. It serves as a reminder to ourselves that their sacrifices are priceless.

16 Celebs Who Don’t Care About “What People Say” When It Comes to Breastfeeding

Being a woman is no simple task. And if we talk about being a mother, the equation becomes twice as complicated. Among all the challenges that motherhood brings, supplying something as basic as food for the baby is at the top of the list. And to help people to not see it as something “out of place” or “wrong,” some celebrities do not hesitate to breastfeed their children in public, proudly and in full view of anyone who wants to see it.

At Bright Side, we salute celebrities who empower breastfeeding and the actions that come with it (like pumping). After all, what could be more natural and human?

1. Kourtney Kardashian

https://www.instagram.com/p/1qo_4pk1ii/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=ebf33292-28d6-47e6-b091-ed48629dee37

2. Amanda Seyfried

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1eMuhcAbDv/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=eec045b3-1290-4aa4-899f-630fa977061a

3. Gwen Stefani

https://www.instagram.com/p/q35El8OLQI/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=bdc7e50c-ac19-4d3c-b256-ab13226e1b41

4. Halsey

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSIgSeWFLdM/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0e56f018-6633-4666-a1bf-cc303ccdb804

5. Kate Hudson

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsiUJ37AgII/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=c933b584-ef2f-4c12-9408-baa74ddbe384

6. Pink

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSzPkSElXvZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=82b6a6af-d4c6-4335-b454-3c3f2885f96a

7. Paola Mayfield

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzs-cb5AkRg/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=71d5ebe9-3202-4d55-bcbf-cc5c4e5fd3e1

8. Shay Mitchell

9. Alanis Morissette

https://www.instagram.com/p/rOgEbCOYM3/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=8206ee12-f0cc-4218-968a-59c3e4e8573c

10. Katherine Schwarzenegger

11. Chrissy Teigen

12. Amy Schumer

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxm4ScNleLP/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=fb37fcb6-684e-486c-8fde-726d2d79e3f8

13. Hilary Duff

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxLgOfuAqbe/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f16e7664-97cb-4ec0-baa5-b6619924f87c

14. Lauren Hashian (and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson)

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj3JIWCF7Wk/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=251eee58-ff30-4d9c-9888-83580f2a7e1f

15. Heidi Montag

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjxdubjFgAo/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=46a0722e-340b-4537-9d46-2240ec5e8009

16. Troian Bellisario

https://www.instagram.com/sleepinthegardn/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=939b6798-a8f4-437e-a6c1-826280d369e5

What do you think about celebrities showing this side of motherhood? What has your experience been like feeding your baby?

Preview photo credit katehudson / Instagram, iamhalsey / Instagram