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Death & what remains

What would you want written on your gravestone?

30 answers answered between 1992 and 2026

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Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.

Read by field Everyone Arts and letters 28 Politics and public life 1 Technology 1
Read by age Any age In their thirties 8 In their forties 5 In their fifties 5 In their sixties 3 Seventy and beyond 4
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Jimi Tenor Composer and musician
I really like the idea of a gravestone inscription that would scare someone. I would probably put "I'm going to follow you home and watch you sleep".
Recorded Clash, Swan Song, 16 September 2008 source ↗
James Yorkston Folk musician, singer-songwriter and author
Hear lies James He had six names Wright Yorkston Jackson Paul Patrick James
Recorded Clash, Swan Song, 29 January 2009 source ↗
George Clinton Bandleader and songwriter
His mother thought she had to go to the bathroom when he was born. He was destined to be funky.
Recorded Tony Cox, News & Notes, NPR, 13 February 2009 source ↗
David Macklovitch Musician and singer; one half of Chromeo
I'd have a quote from the French philosopher, Pascal. I know it in French so here's a loose translation of it in English: "When he gets arrogant you bring him down. When he gets down on himself you bring him up and you always contradict him until he understands that he is himself an incomprehensible monster." That isn't monster in the sense of the monsters in the 'Thriller' video though, it's a quote about the power of rhetoric and the ever-changing nature of man.
Recorded Clash, Last Day On Earth, 1 December 2009 source ↗
James Lavelle Electronic musician, record label owner and curator
On a more cerebral level I'd like something like: 'Know thyself nothing in excess' – as hopefully I will have achieved that by then. And then on a more cheesy level, the lyrics to 'My Way'. I'd have two, just because I like packaging and always have to do different formats: a double grave stone, designed by Nathan Coley.
Recorded Clash, Swan Song, 13 May 2010 source ↗
Serge Pizzorno Musician and songwriter; guitarist of Kasabian
'Abracadabra' – I just like it! Spike Milligan's was the best; 'I told you I was ill!'
Recorded Clash, Swan Song, 6 July 2010 source ↗
Tricky Musician, record producer and rapper
Billie Holiday said on her tombstone she'd like to have written 'This drink's on me.' You know how people go to Jim Morrison's grave and sit there and have drinks? So it's literally that drink is on you. I think that's a good one. Or I'd say, 'Just sleeping. I'll be back.'
Recorded Clash, Last Day On Earth, 29 September 2010 source ↗
Damon Gough Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; records as Badly Drawn Boy
My grandfather's epitaph: 'To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die.'
Recorded Clash, Swan Song, 22 October 2010 source ↗
Gary Kemp Songwriter, musician and actor; guitarist of Spandau Ballet
This has got a double meaning: 'Sorry I'm late'.
Recorded Clash, Last Day On Earth, 28 January 2011 source ↗
Donovan Musician, songwriter and record producer
I know what I want to have, but I don't know if Linda would like it. I thought I'd have: 'He played between the notes.'
Recorded Clash, Swan Song, 27 May 2011 source ↗
Terry Gilliam American-born British filmmaker
On my tombstone I want the words, "He giggled in awe."
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 January 2012 source ↗
Derren Brown English mentalist and illusionist
Ideally, a nice guy. Someone kind. I can't think of a finer epitaph.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 February 2012 source ↗

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