Christ Carrying the Cross by El Greco, circa 1578
The Latin Cross is universally recognized as the symbol of Christianity. While it may look simple to the eye, the symbol is imbued with deep meaning to all Christians. After the trial, Christ is mocked by the Roman soldiers. He is forced to wear a crown of thorns and carry the cross, the very instrument of His suffering and death, to Calvary. Many works of art depict Christ carrying the cross.
Christ carrying the cross can also be found in the cemetery marking graves as does the monument found in the Mt. Elliott Cemetery at Detroit.
Mt. Elliott Cemetery, Detroit
Many gravestones pay to tribute Christ carrying the cross without actually showing Christ in the depiction.
Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois
Gravely Speaking 
Ohhhh, that’s why I see so many tilted crosses in the cemeteries in our Chicagoland area. I feel rather stupid that I never recognized the significance. Thanks for this article and so many wonderful tidbits and great photographs. I’m enjoying this site!
Thank you for the great comment. There are so many great cemeteries in the Chicago area that I have a hard time seeing them all or writing about all of the photographs I have taken. So many gravestones…so little time! Please share the blog with your friends and other like-minded readers. And, if there is a question you have to unravel about gravestones, please let me know, I’ll try to answer.