Key on a Headstone: Meaning

A key opens a door. On a headstone, it can mean the door to heaven, the door to home, or the key to someone's heart.

What it means

History

In Christian tradition, Jesus gives Peter "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:19). Crossed keys became a symbol of St Peter and the papacy. Older stones sometimes use a key to suggest entry into heaven.

Design ideas

• A vintage key beside the name.
• Crossed keys for Catholic families or anyone named Peter.
• A heart-shaped key on a couple's stone.
• Their house key etched from a photo.

Epitaphs

"Home at last", "The key to our hearts", "Welcome home", "Heaven's door opened".

Keys on older stones

On some Victorian and earlier stones, a key appears with a heart or a book, suggesting knowledge or the keys to a family's history. Keys also appear on graves of members of some fraternal orders. If you're researching an ancestor, note any other symbols nearby — they help reveal the meaning. A key alone, carved simply, most often refers to St Peter and the hope of entering heaven. See how to read a worn headstone.

Key Takeaways

• Crossed keys are St Peter's keys of heaven.
• A key can also mean home or the heart.
• Heart-shaped keys suit couples.
• "Home at last" pairs naturally.

Next Step

See headstone symbols and meanings.