The weeping willow was a popular piece of iconography during the 19th century. When you come across a weeping willows on a headstone, they aren’t intended to be a depressing or sad piece of imagery. It was usually a symbol of immortality, since in Christianity it can be be a reference to the gospel of Christ. The tree flourishes no matter how many branches are cut off or damaged, and so does the church of Christ and the immortal human soul (Information paraphrased from Stories in Stone by Douglas Keister). Personally, I can't help but think of Grandmother Willow in Disney's Pocahontas whenever I see a stone with one of these trees on it.
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