There is a wide variety of memorization options available. Celebrations of life, memorials, and grave markers all share a common purpose: to pay respects to the deceased and their last resting place. Particularly important are burial markers, such as headstones, which serve as permanent reminders of those who have passed away.

What is a Headstone?

Grave sites have been marked with sturdy, weighty slabs of stone for generations; if left alone, these headstones will remain in place for a considerable amount of time. This provides a central location for friends and relatives to gather to pay their respects to the departed.

Headstone Styles

Upright Headstones

People typically select the most conventional option—headstones with a flat top that stand proudly on a pedestal. Headstones are often set in the ground on a concrete base, and while they can be crafted from a variety of materials, granite, marble, and limestone are the most common choices.

Flat Headstones

The effect of both upright and flat headstones is the same since both provide enough room for engraving inscriptions and pictures. A flat headstone can be set directly on the ground or set at an angle above it. They do well in severe climates because of the granite or bronze from which they are often fashioned.

Curbed Headstones

Curbed headstones are long, flat markers that are placed at the grave’s edge. Typically, they have a vertical headstone at the top for displaying graphics and text. Many families choose a curbed headstone so that they have room to add flowers and sculptures to the plot, giving it a more personalized look.

Headstone Material

Granite

Granite is the most chosen stone for headstones because it is both affordable and visually striking. Granite may be found in a wide range of colors, from green and red to grey and whiteish pink. This long-lasting stone is difficult to carve by hand and requires the expertise of a stonemason.

Marble

Marble, a recrystallized type of limestone, is translucent and typically comes in shades of blue and grey. The stone is not only beautiful to look at, but its silky smoothness gives it a refined air that sets it apart from other materials.

Limestone

Aside from granite, limestone is another often used stone for grave markers. If you happen to reside in an area with its own limestone, you can give your gravesite a more unique and personal touch by carving one out of that stone.

Slate

If you’re looking for a unique and long-lasting headstone, slate is a fantastic alternative to granite. Because of its silky smoothness, slate is an excellent carving material. White paint or gilding can be used to draw attention to the carved regions for an even more dramatic effect.

Headstone Engravings

Inscriptions

Words carved into a tombstone are a lasting tribute. You want them to be a fitting tribute to your departed loved one, but they shouldn’t drag on. The typeface is up to you, but roman, old English, and script-like fonts are the most common options.

Images

Pictures on headstones are a special way to commemorate a loved one. In some regions, tombstones can include color photographs rendered in porcelain.

To Wind Up,

Putting a headstone on a grave is not an emergency. The cemetery staff may even advise against installing the headstone until the grave has settled. There is still time to do this right. Do your research, ask questions, and make notes as you shop for it.