Daily AncestorPalm frond
A palm frond on a gravestone stands for the soul's victory over death and salvation, recalling the palms of Easter week.
The palm is linked with Christ's victory over death at Easter. On Victorian stones a palm stands for salvation of the soul, spiritual victory and eternal peace.
Carvers sometimes made palm leaves look like ferns, so a feathery frond may be either. Palms also appear with crowns and crosses, which strengthens the reading of victory.
As seen in a recordTown or church cemetery, 1850 to 1920
Two crossed palm fronds under the name: Amelia, wife of Rev. Josiah Pennock, died Mar. 30, 1879
Sources
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Palm frond." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/gravestone-symbols/palm-frond. Last checked 2026-10-15.