Monumental inscription

A monumental inscription is an, typically carved in stone, on a , , or other.

The purpose of monumental inscriptions is to serve as s to the dead. Those on gravestones are normally placed there by members of the deceased's family. Those on memorial plaques inside a religious building are normally placed there by the wider community. The graves of those killed in wars and other armed conflicts are often placed together in military in the country where the conflict took place; they are also remembered on s in their own country.

Monumental inscriptions are important to genealogists and family historians, providing information on the subjects life and death, including dates. Family connections can sometimes be resolved as members of the same family may be buried together.

Many old gravestones are now illegible due to weathering, but individuals and societies may have recorded their inscriptions and published them, either online, on  or in book form. In, the has a large collection. The has an   of  and  s and inscriptions.