Have you ever passed by a cemetery, and some of the headstones drew your attention? Maybe you've walked around cemeteries, admiring the unique designs of headstones. We admire them now, but when making a selection, emotions often run high, and we struggle with the decision.
Plan for that eventuality by considering headstone designs now. The main focus is selecting a design that allows you to memorialize your loved one in a way that represents their talents and personality, plus their wishes for inscription and design.
When decision time comes, consider these unique headstone memorial ideas for helping your loved one stand out in a crowded cemetery.
1. Single or Upright Headstone Designs
In the 1700s, a tombstone was the lid of a coffin; a footstone marked the grave's end, displaying the initials and year of death. We now use headstones as a way to memorialize a loved one.
One of the first decisions is purchasing a single or double headstone. Doubles allow a surviving spouse to be buried beside their spouse at a later date without the family needing to buy a second marker.
An upright is precisely what the name says; it stands upright on the grave and provides an easy visual of the deceased person's details, including name, date of birth, and date of death. The surviving spouse's information is engraved on a double, with the date of death left blank.
Despite the basic sound of these upright headstones, they offer numerous options. You can include the deceased person's photograph and engravings such as a cross, praying hands, family crest, and flowers. Various stone types and shapes for the engraving area make each unique.
2. Monuments
Monuments come in a wide range of sizes to work for memorializing a single person or an entire family. The memorial has space to customize with etchings, epitaphs, emblems, and photographs.
Gravestone symbols have specific meanings. For instance, a column or pillar depicts a complete life; an oak leaf depicts strength, stability, and endurance.
Designing a headstone is easy with the large monument surface, which is available in various sizes and designs. Heart-shaped monuments are popular, whether a single heart embraced by an angel, a group of hearts displaying individuals, or a heart containing a poem or biblical verse sitting atop the marker.
Monument selections are available as displays, contemporary shapes, or depicting religious beliefs, mausoleums, columbariums, and more.
3. Flat Grave Markers
When selecting a headstone option, consider your cemetery selection. The resting place for your loved one may have headstone requirements.
If the cemetery mandates a flat grave marker, you can still create a personalized headstone. A bonus is that flat markers are usually less expensive because they have lower manufacturing and installation costs.
Flat headstones offer options that include color photographs and design engravings of lighthouses, ships, sports, hobbies, religion, nature, and more. The selection is equal to or greater than those of the upright markers.
Funeral Planning and More
Headstone designs and the types of headstones available are some things you'll consider when planning funeral or memorial services with Schumacher & Benner Funeral Home & Crematory.
Established in 1905 and continuing to operate as an independent, family-owned business for over 100 years, we offer a wide range of services. Call 610-326-5755 to begin planning the best possible memorial for your loved one.