Thursday, April 17, 2014

A Guide To Headstone Types And Burial Markers

By Essie Osborn


Choosing the right memorial to a loved one who has passed on is no easy task. During mourning, emotions run high, and it can be difficult to make the decision. While most funeral elements, like the catering or the service, will live on only in your memories, a headstone will be with you every time you visit the gravesite.

It's good to take your time, instead of rushing to make a decision on such an important topic. A burial marker's design is a signal to all who walk by it in the cemetery, telling them something about the person it memorializes. From the inscription on the stone to the actual type of materials the marker is made of, the object exists to tell the future about the deceased person.

Burial sites with markers are an old and familiar human custom, across different religions and cultures. The first grave markers were made of wood, but today's memorials are often made of granite, marble, or other durable materials that will wear well over time. Several factors determine how well a stone will last, including how intricate the carved inscription is, how big the stone will be, and how much you can afford to spend.

The most common style of gravestone in contemporary American culture is the upright stone. This is the standing tablet, usually with a rounded top, which you will see in most cemeteries. However, it is not the only kind of stone you can choose. From simple markers to elaborate statues or obelisks, a stroll through any graveyard will show you as many ways to remember a loved one as there are loved ones to remember.

If you see a small stone which is low on the ground, lower in height than an upright gravestone, you've probably spotted a "flat" marker, also called a low-level or flush style stone. This is a popular choice for a couple of reasons, especially in the materials bronze or granite. It lends simple elegance to a memorial, and the small size makes it budget friendly.

The text and any images you put on a burial marker say a lot. Consider a personalized custom image, like a sailboat for a loved one who was very fond of sailing, or pick a classic icon of remembrance. Broken columns have been a traditional choice for graveyard engravings for decades. Religious symbols like winged angels are also very popular.

Modern technology and designs have opened up a lot of doors. Some contemporary burial markers actually include picture frames, or digital screens that show slideshows of photographs of the person who has passed on. It's a far cry from the simple sticks and stones that marked the first memorials at human burial sites, but the impulse to honor the dead is the same.

Easily maintained plants like hearty shrubs or trees can give the burial site a feeling of joy, and turn it into a verdant and beautiful spot. Cut flowers are a popular addition to gravesites, but it's also possible to plant live flowering bushes which add color and life year-round. Sometimes, the right thing is to leave an object that the person would've enjoyed, like a favorite type of drink in a bottle, as a way of paying tribute to their passing.




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