An Iowa family has defended hiding a sassy message in their father's gravestone.
Following the death of Steven Paul Owens, his family wanted to honor him with one of his favorite phrases.
However, recognizing that a cemetery is a place of quiet reflection, the family opted to hide the message on Owens' tombstone, which can be found at the Warren-Powers Cemetery in Polk County.
More on this story in the video below:As reported by WIBW, the family had a special epitaph engraved on Steven's headstone, which reads:
"Forever in our hearts. Until we meet again. Cherished memories. Known as. Our son, brother. Father, papa, uncle. Friend and cousin."
Now, upon first reading, you may think there's nothing wrong with the tribute. And you'd be right... until you see how the message has been formatted on the gravestone.
Yes, the first letter of each line reads: 'F*** OFF' - a phrase Steven's daughter, Lindsay Owens, says was a "term of endearment" used by her father. "If he didn’t like you, he didn’t speak to you. It’s just who he was," Lindsay added.
Steven's children even go as far as saying that it was an in-joke with family members to try and get their father to say the blunt phrase.
However, the cheeky joke has reportedly stirred up some complaints from cemetery staff.
The news station reports that employees at the cemetery have been against the rude epitaph from the start as they believe profanity is not warranted in a graveyard.
"The Camp Township Trustees were and are against this headstone being placed in our cemetery," a statement from the group reads. How would you like your spouse, child, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin, you loved one or eventually you be laid to rest next to that for eternity?"
In response to the complaints, Steven's son, Zachary, told WIBW: "No one’s forcing anyone to come out and look at it. That’s a choice that you make.
"We didn’t do it to offend anyone, make anyone mad or hurt anyone’s feelings. We did it because it was our father, and we love him, and that’s how we remember him."
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