We all have different traditions when it comes to commemorating and paying tribute to our loved ones who have passed away.
In today’s world, honoring the customs of others while commemorating the lives of the departed ought to come as standard practice. Some may choose to follow traditions or practices that the rest of us are not familiar with, but it doesn’t make them any less legitimate.
The same is true with gravestones and the ornamentation certain families choose to place over their loved ones’ last resting places. Coins being placed on headstones is one custom that is widely practiced and that you have probably witnessed at some point. However, why is this even a thing? And from whence did it originate? Continue reading to learn more.
Coins are traditionally placed on gravestones in cemeteries around the United States and other countries. When I was a little child, I first observed it when I was at my grandfather’s tomb, and even then, I started to wonder what it was all about.
Luckily, finding the beginnings online doesn’t need much research. Although it was previously thought that the practice originated with Roman military troops, a number of sources have disproved that theory in recent years.
Still, there’s a military connection to leaving pennies on gravestones. The American Legion Website states on one of its pages that it can be linked to the Vietnam War.
“Leaving a coin was considered a more practical way to communicate that you had visited the soldier’s grave than contacting the soldier’s family, which could devolve into an uncomfortable argument over politics relating to the war, due to the political divide in the country over the war.”
There are other reasons why veterans leave pennies on gravestones in memory of their fallen friends; occasionally, they do so in order to purchase a beer for them. Each coin represents a different meaning, according to reports.
For instance, a nickel is left by someone who served in boot camp with the deceased, whereas a penny just indicates that someone was present.
On the other hand, a dime represents a combined period of military service. Next are quarters, which inform the family of the presence of whoever left the coin at the moment of the loved one’s passing.
Ever notice a penny left on a gravestone? Were you aware of its meaning? Tell us in the comments below.
The Heartbreaking Last Photo of Kris Kristofferson That’s Shaking the Internet
Kris Kristofferson’s death marks the end of a special time. He wasn’t just a talented songwriter and musician, but also a poet who shared the deep feelings of life — love, loss, and everything in between.
His strong words and heartfelt voice touched many people.
Now, it’s his final photo that has left fans crying.
The news of Kris Kristofferson’s death has been hard, leaving a big gap in my heart.
For those who grew up with his music, it feels like we’ve lost someone irreplaceable. Now, with Willie Nelson being the last living member of The Highwaymen, we’re reminded that an important era of American music and culture is fading away.
But Kristofferson’s life was about more than just his time with that legendary group. Born with roots in Texas and Sweden, his career took off in the 1960s. He wrote timeless songs like “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” and “For the Good Times.” His lyrics weren’t just songs — they were like poetry, capturing the raw feelings of life.
Most people would need many lifetimes to do what Kris did in one. He wasn’t just an award-winning musician — he also acted in movies, starring with Barbra Streisand in *A Star Is Born* (1976), a role that won him a Golden Globe.
“He was something special.”
“The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A., I knew he was special,” his co-star Streisand shared on Instagram. “Barefoot, playing his guitar, he seemed perfect for the movie I was working on, which became *A Star Is Born*.”
Kristofferson was also an Army ranger, a Rhodes scholar, a helicopter pilot, and, most importantly, a storyteller. His work touched many generations. As country singer Channing Wilson wrote on Instagram, “Kris, you left this world better than you found it.”
Beyond his music and movies, Kris had a huge heart. He fought for social justice, supporting civil rights and gender equality. Even as he got older, he stayed active, helping raise awareness and funds for groups like the United Farm Workers (UFW).
Last Instagram photo
Kris passed away peacefully at his home in Maui, Hawaii, on September 28. No cause of death was shared.
His Instagram was soon filled with tributes, as fans posted memories of how his music changed their lives. But it was his last public photo, shared by country star Tanya Tucker in April, that really touched people’s hearts.
In the photo, Kris stands next to Tanya, both representing the golden age of country music. Kris is wearing a Muhammad Ali T-shirt and smiling softly. Though age has softened his rugged looks, his spirit still shines. The young, bearded heartthrob may be gone, but what remains is a legend — a man whose presence is unmistakable, even in his later years.
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