Learn to die

This fine 18th Century gravestone can be found in Greyfriars graveyard in Perth. The graveyard dates from 1580 and sits on the site of a Monastery of Franciscan Grey Friars founded in 1460.

Like many Scottish gravestones of that period it is richly and skillfully carved with symbols reminding the living of their own certain mortality and possible immortality.

The skull and crossbones are symbols of our certain death while the hour-glass is a reminder that our time on earth is rapidly running out.

The winged cherub at the top is a happier symbol, representing the soul of the deceased rising to heaven on the day of judgement.

The initials are those of the deceased and his spouse and the deer head on a shield is probably a family crest.

The Latin inscription Disce Mori means Learn to die. It comes from the title of a book written by Christopher Sutton and published in 1618.

The title page reads:

Disce mori:: A religious discourse, mouing euery Christian man to enter into a serious remembrance of his end: wherein also is contained, the meane and manner of disposing himselfe to God, before and at the time of his departure; In the whole, some-what haply may be obserued, necessary to be thought vpon while wee are aliue, and when wee are dying, to aduise ourselues and others

Published London : Printed by George Purslowe, for Nicholas Bourne, and are to bee solde at his shop, at the south entry of the royall Exchange 1618