Birds in flight - These are symbolic of the "winged soul." The representation of the soul by a bird goes back to ancient Egypt. Some older burial art features only wings to convey the symbol of divine mission. Often denote the graves of children, eternal life.
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Dove - An important symbolic animal in Christianity representing the Holy Spirit. The white dove is referred to in the story of baptism of Christ. "And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him" (Bible, John 1:32). The descending dove is a very common motif on grave memorials. Seven doves are representative of the seven spirits of God or the Holy Spirit in its sevenfold gifts of grace. Purity, devotion, Divine Spirit. When shown with an Olive Sprig it means Hope or Promise.
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Eagle - suggests courage and possibly a military career, symbol for Saint John.
Owl - suggests wisdom
Rooster - Awakening, the Resurrection
Swallow - indicates a child or motherhood

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Hands, clasped - At first glance, these hands all seem to be in the same fashion but a number of interesting characteristics stand out. First, most of the hands illustrate the right hand in a grasp with fingers overlapping the other hand while the left hand is open. This could be the depiction of a man holding a woman's hand and indicate marriage or a close bond between individuals, unity and affection even after death. Clasped hands are also symbolic of a farewell or last good-bye. Look at the cuff to distinguish between a man's or woman's hand (woman would have a frilly cuff.) The person who died first holds the other's hand, guiding the spouse to heaven.
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Hand of God plucking a link of a chain represents God bringing a soul unto himself.
Hands holding:
A chain with a broken link symbolizes the death of a family member.
A heart -  symbolic of charity and is common on 19th century memorials. It is typically seen on memorials of members of the Independent Order of Odd fellows. Charity
An open book - the embodiment of Faith
Hand pointing:
Downward - mortality or sudden death. (Possibly a depiction of a secret Masonic handshake.)
Upward - the reward of the righteous, confirmation of life after death. Heavenly reward, ascension to heaven.
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Hands praying connote devotion
Two hands touching at thumbs - The hands are making the "Live long and
prosper" gesture that Mr. Spock used on Star Trek (Leonard Nimoy is
Jewish, and that's where he got it).

The Cohen was the priestly caste. They perform a few specific functions in Orthodox Judaism, and have a few unique restrictions: they are not supposed to remarry or touch a dead body, for example. People who are Cohen often have Cohen as their last name, This is the hand gesture made by Cohen
at the end of services in Orthodox synagogues, it's a benediction, and had come to universally represent Cohens.

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Bleeding - Christ's suffering for our sins.
Encircled with thorns - the suffering of Christ.
Flaming - signifies extreme religious fervor
Pierced by a sword - the Virgin Mary, harkening to Simeon's prophecy to Mary at the birth of Christ, "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul." It can also be used to represent charity.

Circle - The circle is pre-Christian and its original symbolic meaning has been adopted by Christianity. It is universally known as the symbol of eternity and never-ending existence. Extremely common on grave sites, its usual representation is a cross surrounded by circle. Two circles, one above the other, represent earth and sky. Three interconnected circles represent the Holy Trinity.
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Latin Cross surrounded by circle or oval - representing eternity or never-ending existence.

Botonee Cross - So named because of its modified trefoil (three-lobed) ends, represents the trinity.
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Calvary Cross - A latin cross standing on three steps or blocks, it signifies faith, hope and love. Love is sometimes replaced by charity.
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Celtic Cross - The circle around the crosspiece symbolizes eternity. It's origin can be traced to the Celtic cultures of the British Isles. There is a legend of how St. Patrick when preaching to some soon to be converted heathens was shown a sacred standing stone that was marked with a circle that was symbolic of the moon goddess. Patrick made the mark of a Latin cross through the circle and blessed the stone making the first Celtic Cross.

Eastern Cross - Used in Orthodox (Russian/Greek) Christian Religions, this cross upper horizontal shoulder representing the inscription over the head of Jesus. The lower slanting shoulder represents the footrest of the crucified Jesus.
Fleuree Cross/Gothic Cross - This flowered cross symbolizes the adult Christian by its more opened flaired out ends
Greek Cross - It has four arms equal in length and is the traditional symbol of Christian faith. The equal length drawings of the cross is pre-Christian, and in paganism, represented the four elements—earth, air, fire and water.
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Ionic Cross - Similar to the Celtic Cross, it's ends flair outward. The ionic cross signifies everlasting salvation, love and glory. The circle around the crosspiece symbolizes eternity.
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Latin Cross - One of the oldest symbols of Christianity and the most commonly used form, it is also the simplest in design. In early times, it was called god's mark

A five-pointed star is symbolic of the life of Christ and may also represent the five wounds of Christ.
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Five-pointed pentagram star - This star is drawn with one stroke of the pen. Its exact origin is unknown, and its meaning has changed throughout the ages. The pre-Christian Celtic priests called it the witch's foot. It is also called Solomon's Seal and was known in the Middle Ages as the goblin's cross. Today the symbol is a favorite among graffiti artists and so-called demonology practitioners. Like the pentagon, it is believed to have protective powers against evil. In Wicca beliefs, it represents protection against demons and a symbol of safety. The ancient Babylonians used the symbol as a magic charm. The five-pointed pentagram star represents the five senses. To the Jews, it represents the five mosaic books. This symbol has also been adopted by Masonic organizations (e.g., the Eastern Star).
The Star of David - Six-pointed star or Star of David, also known as Magen David (Hebrew for shield of David), it is typically used as a
symbol of Judaism. The star is actually made of two triangles. It signifies divine protection as epitomized by the alchemistic signs for fire and water which are an upward and downward apexed triangle. The star is a very ancient symbol, used by several Asia Minor cultures, as well as some Greek city states. For Judaism, the Star of David came into widespread use at the beginning of the 20th century. Theodore Hertzel, a Jewish activist, adopted the symbol in his writings promoting Palestine as a Jewish homeland.

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Blowing a trumpet (or even two trumpets) representing the day of judgment, and Call to the Resurrection
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Carrying the departed soul as a child in their arms, or as a Guardian embracing the dead. The "messengers of god" are often shown escorting the deceased to heaven.
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Flying - Rebirth
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Many angels gathered together in the clouds - represents heaven.
Weeping - Grief, or mourning an untimely death.
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Cherub's Head - the soul.

Sleeping - sleep is the tie between life and death; children are purity, artlessness, innocence
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Crown on a cross - sovereignty of the Lord.
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On its side - that time has stopped for the deceased.
Winged - time's swift flight.
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Scallop - symbol of the Crusades, pilgrim, pilgrim's journey, resurrection, life everlasting, connotes one's life journey. A symbol of birth and resurrection, a traditional symbol of the Puritans.
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Swords, crossed - indicates death in battle

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Acacia - immortality of soul
Acanthus - heavenly garden. One of the oldest cemetery motifs, acanthus is associated with the rocky ground where most ancient Greek cemeteries were placed. It is the most common motif found on memorials.
Bamboo - the emblem of Buddha. The seven-knotted bamboo denotes the seven degrees of initiation and invocation in Buddhism. On Japanese memorials, symbolic of devotion and truthfulness.
Buttercup - cheerfulness.
Calla lily - symbolizes marriage.
Cinquefoil - maternal affection, beloved daughter
Corn (Garbe) - it was a country custom to send a sheaf to relatives on the death of a farmer. It may be used as an occupational symbol.
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Crocus - youthful gladness
Cypress tree - designates hope
Daffodil - death of youth, desire, art, grace, beauty, deep regard.
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Daisy - innocence of child, Jesus the Infant, youth, the Son of righteousness, gentleness, purity of thought.
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Dead leaves - sadness, melancholy
Dogwood - Christianity, divine sacrifice, triumph of eternal life, resurrection.
Fern - sincerity, sorrow
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Figs, Pineapples - Prosperity, eternal life
Fleur-de-lis - flame, passion, ardor, mother
Flower - Frailty of life.

Broken flower - a life terminated, mortality.

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Just a bud - normally a child 12 or under
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Partial bloom - normally a teenager
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Full bloom - normally in early/mid twenties. The deceased died in the prime of life
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Rosebud, broken - life cut short, usually found with a young person's grave
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Rosebuds, joining - strong bond between two people (e.g., mother and child who died at the same time
Rosebuds, several on same branch - secrecy
Rosette - the Lord, messianic hope, promise, love.
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Wreath of Rose - Beauty and virtue rewarded

Severed branch - Mortality
Sprouting - Life everlasting.
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Bushel - body of Christ
sheaves - The divine harvest, Often represents the aged.
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Bridal -  may signify the grave of a young bride or groom.

Maiden's Garland -  A garland of white paper or linen, embellished with streamers and a single white glove, which was carried at the funerals of unmarried women of blameless reputation. The garlands were hung in the church after the funeral and allowed to decay. Then the pieces would be buried in the graveyard.