Here’s a short guide to help you choose the best headstones and monuments that will commemorate your loved one’s life
Headstones and memorials are a person’s final mark left upon earth to remind their loved ones of who they were while they were still alive. Many times families and friends choose these grave markers after the person has passed away based on what they think the person would have wanted. Other times, people choose their own headstones and monuments while they are still alive.
There are many different sizes, styles, designs and various materials available to choose from now a days, although marble, granite and bronze continue to be the most popular because of their durability.
Tombstones come in several different styles: upright, slant, flats, pillow, benches or custom/specialized. The most popular continues to be the ones that stand upright (whether standard or custom) because they tend to provide more ample room for inscriptions. Inscriptions are very important to most family members and friends because they reflect who the person was and/or what their accomplishments and passions were in life.
Headstones and Monuments: Designs
Unlike many years ago, the designs and themes available for tombstones are virtually unlimited. The only thing that will limit whatever design, material or style you want is your imagination and financial circumstances. Many families, however, usually choose the more expensive materials like granite and marble because of both durability and the fact that it is the person’s final memorial.
After you have chosen the design of the headstone or monument, you will need to think of the epitaph and any personalization you will want. The epitaph is typically the most important characteristic of a headstone. It defines the significance of the person of the person who passed away. It can be of few words, an entire paragraph or even simple quotes.
You can personalize the tombstone by adding photographs, a list of the person’s hobbies or passions or add symbols that have personal meaning.
Headstones and Monuments: Prices
Prices vary from $195 to several thousand dollars according to the material, style, design and customization you may want. Fortunately, you can browse everything you may want online these days and purchase your headstones and monuments directly online. Different companies have their own price guide and the more reputable companies offer unlimited writing and FREE shipping within the continental United States.
As we mentioned earlier, some people choose their tombstones prior to passing away. By doing this, you can save a tremendous amount of money simply by avoiding the costs associated with inflation years down the road.
It is our sincere wish that this short guide has helped you in your journey to choose the perfect headstones and monuments that make sure you remember your loved ones the way you desire. This is one of the most important investments you will make in your life and we hope this has made it a little bit easier for you.