ad patres – "To the fathers", dead or gone away.
anno aetatis suae (A.A.S.) – In the year of her/his age
anno Domini (A.D.) – In the year of our Lord
annos vixit (a.v.) – He/she lived [so many years]
beatae memoriae (B.M.) – Of blessed memory
Dei gratia – By the grace of God
Dei gratias – Thanks be to God
Deo, Optimo, Maximo (D.O.M.) – To God, the Best, the Greatest (motto of the Benedictine order)
Domino, Optimo, Maximo (D.O.M.) – The Lord, the Best, the Greatest.(alternate motto)
Gloria in Excelsis Deo – Glory be to God, the Most High
hic iacet or hic jacet (H.I.) – Here lies (Ancient Latin has no letter "J": the letter was added later)
hic iacet sepultus (H.I.S.) – Here lies buried
hic sepultus (H.S.) – Here is buried
Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum (I.N.R.I.) – Jesus Christ, King of the Jews (usually appears posted at the top of a cross, in commemoration of the Roman mocking of Christ)
in hoc salus (I.H.S.) – There is safety in this. This is one of three interpretations of the letters IHS which often appear on Roman Catholic tombstones and monuments. Some say that this was used to mark the way to secret Christian masses in the Roman catacombs. The letters are sometimes superimposed on each other, forming an inscription that looks like this: |$|
in hoc signo spes mea (I.H.S.) – In this sign (the cross of Christ) is my hope
in hoc signos vinces (I.H.S.) – By this sign you will conquer. The Emperor Constantine is said to have seen a firey cross in the sky before the Battle of Milvan Bridge. (312 A.D.) He made his men paint crosses on their shields. They won. Constantine ceased persecution of Christians and became one on his deathbed.
laus Deo – Praise be to God
memento mori – "Remember you must die". The phrase is also used for the small souvenirs that are sometimes handed out at funerals.
obiit (ob.) – He/she died
requiescat in pace (R.I.P.) – May he/she rest in peace
requiescant in pace (R.I.P.) – May they rest in peace
requiescit in pace (R.I.P.) – He/she rest in peace
Verbi Dei Minister (V.D.M.) – Minister of the Word of God
Originally from Joel GAzis-SAx. Found while looking for the original poster of this blog on Blogger.