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 led the cemetery to demand that the headstone be removed.
The headstone for Steven Paul Owens, located at Warren-Powers Cemetery in Polk County, Iowa, sparked major debate. The memorial appears fairly ordinary, listing his name, place of birth, and date of death.
It also featured a phrase that read: “Forever in our hearts, until we meet again, cherished memories, known as: our son, brother, father, papa, uncle, friend & cousin.”
However, the inscription included a hidden message. A joke honoring the late Owens’ unique sense of humor drew national attention — and not everyone was amused. What appeared to be a normal text was actually arranged so that the first letter of each sentence spelled out “F**k off.”
The Camp Township Trustees, who oversee the cemetery, were not pleased. They argued that the message was inappropriate for the cemetery. Still, Owens’ family defended the inscription, saying it was meant as a tribute to their late family member’s dry humor and personality.
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.” Meanwhile, daughter Lindsay said family and friends often teased her father.
Lindsay explained that 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 told 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 going to 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 containing concealed profanity. The township later confirmed it had sought legal advice while considering possible action over the headstone.
Sparks debate years later
Meanwhile, Lindsay Owens said their intention “was never to offend anyone,” while Zachary added: “I would just ask that they let us remember our father in the way we remember him.”
Responding to critics of the profanity, he added: “No one’s forcing anyone to come out and look at it. That’s a choice that you make.”
Although the controversy first surfaced in 2022, the story continues to attract attention today. Many argue that the purpose of a memorial site is to reflect the person being remembered by their loved ones.
Others, however, believe it should remain respectful to the public and free from profanity. Despite the backlash, the memorial reportedly still remains at Warren-Powers Cemetery today.
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