Language of Tombstones

In the preceding generation some individuals wished to change the millennial Jewish tradition of writing epitaphs in Lashon Hakodesh, the Holy Tongue (Hebrew), and using other languages and secular dates on tombstones. Many rabbonim and Torah leaders came out strongly against this, saying it might be considered chukos hagoyim, imitating the ways of non-Jews, which is a Biblical prohibition. Likewise, using the secular date is a serious issue in halachah: We are supposed to use the Jewish date, counting the days of the month and years according to the Torah way of counting. Additionally, we refrain from using the secular months because they are mostly named after idols. While many leniencies are advanced in poskim for using the secular date in business matters, however in this case, where there is no business consideration, poskim are very strict. In cases where there is a great need to write some of the epitaph in a language other than Lashon Hakodesh so that the family members can read and understand what is written, there may be room for leniency, and that is for the local chevra kadishah, Jewish burial society, to decide.

https://halacha2go.com?number=170

Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.