Sometimes, when people walk through a cemetry, they see a headstone with only a birthday. There is no death date. This may seem strange, but there are real reasons for this.
The Person Is Still Alive
One common reason is that the person is not dead yet. In many families, couples plan ahead. They buy one stone for both people. If one dies first, the other’s name and birthday may go on the stone, but the death date is left blank. For exmple, Mr. and Mrs. Clark bought a stone in 2010. Mr. Clark died in 2012. His wife is still alive in 2025. Her side of the stone shows her birth year, 1945, but no end date.
Family Wants to Be Ready
Families may order a stone before a person dies. This helps them feel ready. It also saves money. Headstone costs go up over time. In the U.S., the averge cost is now over $2,000. Planning early makes it easier for loved ones later. Some families also want the stone made in a special way. They want time to choose the color, shape, and words.
The Death Date Was Not Added
Sometimes, a person dies, but the death date is not added. The family may forget. They may not have the money right away. In other cases, the family moves away. The gravestone stays the same for many years. For exmple, a study in Ohio showed that 5% of stones in small towns had no death date for one person.
The Person Is Missing
In rare cases, someone is missing. The family may not know if the person is dead. They still want to remmber them. So they put a birthday on a stone. But they wait to add the death date. This can be a sad story. But it shows the love and hope of the family.
Final Thoughts
A headstone with only a birthday is not a mistake. It tells a story. It may be a story of love, of waiting, or of planning ahead. Each stone is a part of someone’s life. And each one has meaning.