Death heads are common mortality symbols seen on old headstones. The earliest examples are crudely carved skulls with crossed femurs underneath. The changing fashion throughout the centuries softened this look by changing the skull to an angelic face. The crossed femus were replaced with wings or foliage, each having their own meaning. Wings and feathers are depicting the ascent to Heaven. A skull represents ‘death‘.
Cemetery Death Heads Portfolio
Memento Mori at its finest 
A cemetery death head Cemetery death head with a hourglass A skull and crossbones on a headstone Memento Mori headstone featuring Ouroborus, book, hourglass and cemetery death head Death head from Netherwitton A mourning face on a headstone Misty death head on a headstone Memento Mori headstone featuring a book, cherubs and a cemetery death head Close up of a skull on a headstone 
Corbridge Death Head An angelic looking death head on a headstone This death head looks like it had blonde hair A soul effigy from Bellingham A winged death head on a headstone Twin cherubs soul effigy Winged skull on headstone Cemetery Death Heads on a Memento Mori headstone Carved skull in Burwell Close up photograph of a cherub’s face by Amanda Norman
To take a look at the changing fashion, please read my article, Cemetery Death Heads. Below, I’ve compiled a selection of my favourite photographs showcasing the different styles.
Lastly, the cemetery death heads we see today on headstones are common ‘Memento Mori‘ symbols from the 16th to 17th centuries. They warn us that no matter what our status is in life, we are all the same in death. In addition, live life for today as death is always lurking in the form of plagues or disease.
Further Information
Reading Chris Raymond’s article, Cemetery Headstone Symbols: Death’s Head will provide you with further information. I especially like his reference to collar and shoulder’s replacing the wings or femurs on later examples.