After he died in 1691 his sons were required to return the session book which John Arbuthnot did in order that his father might be buried. However John's request to erect a headstone at his father's grave was only granted with strict conditions as what might be inscribed on the stone and in the circumstances no stone was put up.
Pagkatapos siya namatay sa 1691 ang kanyang anak ay kinakailangan upang bumalik sa sesyon ng libro na kung saan John Arbuthnot did in order na ang kanyang ama ay maaaring nalibing. Subalit John's kahilingan upang magtayo ng isang karatula sa kanyang ama libingan ay ibinibigay lamang na may mahigpit na mga kondisyon na kung ano ang maaaring inscribed sa bato at sa kalagayan ng walang bato ay ilagay up.