A beautiful grave, Kevin.

I asked my friend Steve Henderson about the use of shells on graves. He has
a vast, and vastly underpublished, knowledge of both conchology and
culture. He thinks that putting shells on graves probably began in Africa
as a religious or symbolic custom. Later, the custom spread among members
of other cultural groups, for decoration. Other people have their own
personal reasons for leaving shells on graves.

Shells can symbolize journeys and pilgrimages, good mementos of a
life-changing trip. They are light, sturdy, and beautiful, and often more
loved by the collector than by anyone else. They make a good parting gift.

Shells can symbolize birth and motherhood as well, for they are containers.
How many churches have a baptismal font made from a giant Tridacna?

Shells also symbolize wealth, especially the money cowries, of course.

Shells can also symbolize fertility, for they are abundant good food, as
any oyster midden shows. And the spiral form, ever increasing, epitomizes
growth.

Their elegant forms symbolize good taste.

To some, shells represent mystery: Follow the polished spiral inward with
your eye, then your finger. How does the snail know how to grow just so?
Where does the sound of the sea come from?

And shells can represent spiritual power, as in the Indian chank.

It's a heavy load to place on members of other species, who have their own
agenda, but there it is.

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama