Many Options Of Headstone Designs

By Freida Michael


Planning a funeral, or preparing for one's eventual passing, entails attending to a lot of individual details that come together to complete the process. There's choosing where to be interred and in what manner, services, notices, caskets or urn, and many others that usually go unrealized until they become relevant. One of the most prominent decisions is which of the many headstone designs would be best.

There are many factors that will greatly influence one's choice of burial marker. Most of these are largely based around the preferences of the individual, their budget and what is available in a particular area. In any case, the first thing that will typically narrow the selections considerably is the location of where the remains will be buried or interred.

There are a few old style grave yards that still permit people to erect markers that are creative expressions of the individual, though this is a practice that is quickly being phased out in modern times. Newer cemeteries are implementing restrictions on acceptable types of markers used within their boundaries. Their reasons include environmental factors, maintenance concerns as well as the intention of creating a certain type of look and feel to the place.

For most people, their first thought is of the traditional style upright stone that can be erected either atop a horizontal foundations slab, or directly in the ground. They are most commonly made from granite, marble, fieldstone or cement and are available in several different textures, silhouettes and colors. The deceased's name and life dates, along with a short epitaph and religious symbol are generally engraved into the front surface.

Cover stones are another traditional style that is still frequently used. They are typically cut from sandstone, marble or granite, measure three foot wide by six feet long and four inches thick and lay directly over the place where the casket is buried. These are used alone, or as the bases for the upright markers, usually bearing the same basic information.

Some burial gardens require a very minimalistic approach that makes maintenance a much simpler and quicker task. Many will only permit markers that are flush to the ground because they are not only easier to mow over, but they allow the area to take on a peaceful park appearance with only the occasional statuary to disrupt the gentle flow of the lawn. Small nameplates with just the basic information on them are also common in such places.

In the old style locations that allow people to choose personal monuments to adorn their plot, the possibilities are endless. There are so many ways in which one may express their creativity to make a lasting impression, including such options as giant urns, planters, obelisks, crosses, angels and religious symbols. One may even opt to have a bust of themselves or other unique statuary set to represent them for all time.

When the field has been narrowed by all the budget, location and ordinance restrictions, the main decision factor should be based on the best representation of the individual. One's marker is their last statement to future generations and serves as a tribute to the life lived. Personalizing a person's final resting place is a way of showing great respect.




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