IN MEMORIAM

MARGARET McK. MUNHALL

MARCH 8, 1925

JOHN MUNHALL

1833 – 1904

HETTY MUNHALL

1837 – 1875

“BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART”

The massive rock face gray granite Munhall Family monument in the Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, features a seated angel framed by a rounded arch supported with two composite columns.  The classically draped angle holds a palm leaf and a floral wreath.

The palm frond is an ancient symbol of victory, dating back to Roman times when victors were presented with palm fronds. The palm fronds were also laid in the path of Jesus as He entered Jerusalem. So, for many Christians, the palm represents righteousness, resurrection, and martyrdom, symbolizing the spiritual victory over death associated with the Easter story.

The floral wreath. This is a common Victorian funerary symbol expressing the transitory nature of life.  In this example, the flowers in the wreath are roses and can symbolize love and beauty or the messianic hope that Christ will return.

The composite capitals on the columns feature poppies.  In cemetery symbolism the poppy represents eternal sleep.  Just as it was portrayed in the movie, The Wizard of Oz, the main characters lie down in a field of poppies where they fall into a deep sleep.  That same imagery is used here.  The angel sits in front of a portal suggesting the entryway to Heaven and eternal sleep.