How To Choose A Headstone Or Grave Marker
Posted on: 3 August 2016
Decisions must be made involving which marker is best for your deceased loved one. One of the first choices is the cemetery and its regulations for the markers allowed on its property. Remaining within your budget is also a consideration, but these guidelines should make the task simpler.
What Information Do You Want On The Marker?
It is a reflection of personal choice for the information included on the headstone or grave marker. Other than basic information, you can add whatever you choose to compliment the stone. The epitaph should include information to envelop the deceased's spirit. Adding a personal twist will last forever.
You need to decide whether the marker will be for one person or a couple. If it is for two people, you will need a companion headstone.
What Material Do You Want The Grave Marker Made Out Of?
Headstones come in a variety of materials ranging from slate, sandstone, granite, marble, limestone, bronze, and many other various materials. Bronze and granite are durable, attractive, and easily maintained. Unfortunately, limestone is an old time favorite but as time passes inscriptions on tombstones that use limestone can fade because of acid content in rainwater.
Granite: Prices of different granite colors range with its variety offered with red, white, gray, pink, blue, green, or black.
Sandstone: Sandstone if also available in many pleasant colors and was a favorite during the eras of the 17th through the 19th Centuries. It is still a recommended choice in today's market because of its unique characteristics.
What Shape Do You Want The Marker To Be?
The shape of the marker can also be one of personal choice providing they are allowed in your specified cemetery. Here are some of those examples:
- Ledgers: Covering the entire grave is accomplished with the use of ledgers which are known for being fairly thick.
- Flat Markers: The flat marker is commonly called a grass marker because it is level on the grave.
- Bevel Markers: The bevel marker lies above the grass at the head of the grave.
- Slant Markers: The slanted marker is also called a pillow stone because of its wedge shape.
Headstones can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire. However, be sure the cemetery will allow an elaborate design since some of the establishments have specific requirements.
These are a few considerations to use during the process of searching and choosing the appropriate marker or headstone for your loved one. Grieving such a loss is difficult, and you can depend on the professional technicians, like McGee Monuments, to come to your assistance.
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