A loving message on a headstone at an Iowa cemetery has long been the center of attention. That’s because of an obscene ‘hidden message’, which has made the cemetery demand that the headstone be removed.
The headstone for Steven Paul Owens, located at Warren-Powers Cemetery in Polk County, Iowa, caused a huge debate. The memorial appears quite ordinary, listing his name, place of birth, and date of death.
Moreover, it was a phrase written on it that read, “Forever in our hearts, until we meet again, cherished memories, known as: our son, brother, father, papa, uncle, friend & cousin.”
However, it included a hidden message. A joke in honor of the deceased Owen’s unique sense of humor brought national attention, and not everyone was happy about it.
What looked like a normal text wasn’t so ordinary, as it aligned in the way that the first letter of every sentence spells, “F**k off.”
The Campt Township Trustees, who looked after the cemetery, were not happy about it. They claimed that it wasn’t suitable for the cemetery. Still, Owens’ family defended the text, arguing that it was intended as a tribute to their late family members’ dry humor and attitude.
Cemetery is demanding headstone be removed over obscene ‘hidden message’
Speaking with CNN, his son, Zachary Owens, said his father was a “very fun-loving guy.” Moreover, daughter Lindsay said family and friends loved to tease her father
Lindsay revealed how Owens used swearing almost as a “term of endearment,” adding, “If he didn’t like you, he didn’t talk to you. If you got him to tell you to f**k off, it meant he liked you.”
Zachary told CNN that the idea to “hide” the message came from a cousin and that the entire family “was on board” with it.
A representative for the trustees later said, per CNN: “We do not want it there. It really needs to be removed.”
“If we allow profanity of that sort in the cemetery, and that’s okay for that, how are we ever gonna draw a line on anything else?” the representative added.
Trustees also raised concerns about whether grieving families would want their loved ones buried next to a memorial featuring concealed profanity. The township later confirmed it had sought legal advice while weighing possible action over the headstone.
Sparks debate years later
Meanwhile, Lindsay Owens stated that their intention “was never to offend anyone,” while Zachary said, “I would just ask that they let us remember our father in the way we remember him.”
Responding to those who criticized the profanity, he added, “No one’s forcing anyone to come out and look at it. That’s a choice that you make.”
While the controversy arose in 2022, the subject continues to turn heads today. Many argue that the memorial site’s main purpose is to be a reflection of the person remembered by their loved ones.
Still, others claim it should be respectful towards the public, being a special without profanity. Despite the Owens’ backlash, the memorial reportedly remains at the Warren-Powers Cemetery as of today.
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