Compact - #MM239

Years ago I picked up an book at the library that had been put in the sale section.  It was an anthology of Roman inscriptions found in Britain.  Like us, the Romans put up memorials to their dead – a world of emotion compressed into very few words.
 
One I remember, found on Hadrian’s Wall, read:
Here lies Julia Materna, aged six.  Julius Marcellinus set this up to his beloved daughter.
And another set up by a son to his mother ended with the words:
…Light lie the earth upon thee
Emotional stuff.
 
Which odd little spark gave me a starting point for Laurie’s intriguing subject, ‘Compact’ for today’s MonoMonday.
 
A trip to Morn Hill seemed called for.  On part of Morn Hill, near the road, is an enormous cemetery.  But on the track that leads up to the top, to the flowers, butterflies and Exmoor ponies, is also the current premises of Winchester’s memorial masons, Blackwell & Moody.  For years they had a yard behind the station.  I don’t know what happened though I believe there was some tragedy.  Shortly after which the land was sold for housing and they moved to this funny little shed-type office in the middle of not very much.
 
So this is my ‘compact’ subject matter – the words we use to sum up a person’s entire life when they’re gone, and the masons who engrave them:
In loving memory of a dearly beloved husband and devoted father, WILLIAM GEORGE BUNDY who passed away Sept 29th, 1947 aged 54 years “Until we meet again”
 
Is it too early for a drink?
 
Thanks to Laurie for hosting.  Have a lovely evening, all  xx