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Hands, Clasped or Shaking

HANDS, CLASPED OR SHAKING - If the cuffs match it is a handshake of farewell to earthly existence. If the cuffs are male and female it indicates hands clasped in death as in life or eternal devotion.

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Hand with Finger Pointing Up

HAND WITH FINGER POINTING UP - The hand pointing to heaven means that the soul has gone to be with God and symbolizes the reward of the righteous and confirmation of life after death.

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Hand with Finger Pointing Down

HAND WITH FINGER POINTING DOWN - The hand of God descending from heaven to lift the soul.  The finger pointing down does not indicate damnation; instead it most commonly represents and untimely, sudden, or unexpected death. 

 

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Hand Holding Heart

HAND HOLDING HEART - The Heart in Hand is symbolic of charity, given from the heart.  It is an easily recognizable symbol in the Northeastern United States and used by the Shakers as a pictorial reminder of the words of Mother Ann Lee, the founder of the Shaker sect, who promoted a simple life of hard work and spirituality, "Put your hands to work, and your hearts to God."  The image is typical of the Shaker attitude, and also implies a loving welcome.

Grapes or Grapevine

GRAPES OR GRAPEVINE - Grapes represent the Blood of Jesus Christ, shed for our sins.  The Grapevine represent Jesus Christ himself.  The grapes and grapevine may also represent eternal plenty and heavenly abundance.

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Garland

GARLAND - Symbolizes Victory in Death. Garlands are normally made with evergreen foliage which represent everlasting life.   

Gates

GATES - Symbolize the passage way from earth to heaven.  The "Pearly Gates" are represented by a crown between the open gates.  

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Veteran, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (GAR) VETERAN - The "Grand Army of the Republic" (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army (United States Army), Union Navy (U.S. Navy), Marines and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War for the North.

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Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF)

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS (IOOF) - The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is a religiously and politically independent fraternal order of Odd Fellows founded in 1819 by Thomas Wildey in Baltimore, Maryland, United States.  It was originally chartered by the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity but has been independent since 1842.  The order is also known as the Triple Link Fraternity, referring to the order's "Triple Links" symbol, alluding to its motto FLT "Friendship, Love and Truth".

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Medal, Purple Heart

PURPLE HEART MEDAL - The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded: 

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