Most of us do not choose a headstone type until a need arises. After experiencing the loss of a loved one it’s not easy to focus on shopping for the "best deal." Understanding a few basics about the types of headstones can go a long way in helping give you peace of mind.
It is important to know what the cemetery rules and regulations for headstones are in your area. Having this information beforehand will help make ordering the right headstone a smooth process.
Unfortunately, high costs can influence a purchase for your loved one and cause you to settle for a lesser choice. Be sure to take your time understanding your options for your loved one's headstone.
Once you have an idea of your cemetery's requirements and what you may like, you may consider the following options.
Headstone Options:
- Type
- Material
- Personalization/Design
- Size
Headstone Types:
There are four main types of headstones with some variations of styles within each type.
Headstone Materials:
The large majority of headstones are either granite or bronze. Everything else being equal you would expect to pay more for a bronze headstone.
Granite headstones are the most popular type of headstones. They are widely accepted in cemeteries because of their hard-wearing surface. Granite rocks are extremely durable in all weather conditions and come in various colours and textures from all over the world.
The most popular granites used today are Georgia Gray, Morning Rose, Sunset Red and American Black. These are found from most providers and are all quarried in the United States.
Bronze is cast from tin and copper which are required metals to created the alloy. Bronze is a durable material that is used all over the world and has been designed to withstand the elements of time.
Design & Layout
A design is one of the best ways to personalize your headstone for a loved one. A layout can depict a simple modern design, a favourite flower, or a religious symbol. This is a great way to be able to reflect on this person’s life and what they’ve meant to you.
They include an array of floral, religious and scenic motifs just to name a few. When choosing a design you may want to consider the symbolism behind many of the different elements within a particular memorial design.
For example, a dogwood design features the dogwood tree's flowers and leaves around the border. The dogwood flower symbolizes Christianity, divine sacrifice, triumph of eternal life, and resurrection. Choosing a headstone with symbolism significant to the deceased is much more fitting.
Headstone Personalization
After you have selected all other options you now have the opportunity to personalize the headstone. You start with the person's name, date of birth and date of death. You can further personalize the headstone or grave marker with emblems or add an epitaph.
An emblem is an image or insignia of a particular interest such as a sport, religion, flowers, hobby, military branch, animal or vehicle to name a few. They are usually 2" - 4" in size and are cast on a bronze plaque or sandblasted on a granite headstone.
As you can see there is plenty to learn regarding the choice of a headstone for a family member. We hope this post was beneficial to you in your quest for information on choosing a headstone.
