What You Should Know about Inscribing Words on Headstones
Grave markers serve as tributes that preserve the memory of loved ones lost. Many people see the selection of a headstone and the words inscribed on it as part of the grieving process. Since even brief messages are meaningful and intended to honor the life of the deceased, the placement of a headstone helps families cope emotionally with the loss of someone near and dear. However, inscriptions take thought and planning as to the words engraved and the headstone itself. Not all headstone sizes and materials are suitable for etching a timeless message of love and respect.
Purpose of Headstone Inscriptions
Surviving family members and friends often find solace in the words inscribed on the deceased's gravestone. Besides the name, date of birth, and date of death, the inscription on a headstone memorializes the life of the loved one buried there. The words you choose may express the love you felt toward the person, remind you of the person, or describe the type of person he or she was. It's a permanent message you impart honoring the individual.
A headstone inscription can be a
-
Description of your relationship to the deceased
-
Prayer
-
Bible passage
-
Legendary quote or saying
-
Poem
-
Personalized message
-
Thought that encompasses words of inspiration
-
Brief summary of the deceased's accomplishments or life
-
Reference to military service
-
Photo, image, or symbol that immortalizes a precious memory or creates an everlasting remembrance of the person
Factors to take into account when selecting a headstone:
-
Consider the size and shape of the stone. If you want to have several lines of wording etched in memory of the person, a headstone that stands upright usually offers more room for writing than a flat stone. The surface of the stone must be large enough in size to fit all the words you want inscribed.
-
Check whether the cemetery has specific guidelines for gravestones. Some have restrictions on dimensions, styles, and materials. Others require a certain thickness for flat grave markers. Whatever the requirements, you need to select a headstone type on which an inscription will last.
-
Inquire about the characteristics of different headstone materials. For example, marble headstones weather over time, whereas granite headstones are more resistant to changing weather conditions. Although marble headstones are more expensive, marble is a softer stone, which makes it more prone to cracking and eroding. Over time, this wearing away makes it harder to read the words carved in the stone. Inscriptions take longer to wear away on granite and bronze grave markers.
-
Know what the basic price quote includes. Generally, monument retailers include a specified number of letters or words in the overall price of a headstone. You pay extra if you want a special inscription and/or photo on the stone.
-
Ask to see the design on paper before having anything carved into the headstone. Make sure you are satisfied before the words are engraved.
For more information, talk to a professional like Palmer Bros Granite Co.