Choosing a Grave Marker
Once you have made the funeral arrangements and placed the funeral notice in the paper, you will need to turn your attention to how you will mark the spot where your loved one is buried. When it comes to grave markers, there is a wide selection available. Read on to find out more about your options.
A traditional headstone
A traditional headstone is rectangular. It may have additional features such as curved edges or decorative engravings. However, modern headstones tend to be minimalist and feature very little decoration except for an inscription which lists the name and age of the deceased. You may also wish to inscribe an additional message or poem which will help to immortalise your loved one.
A religious headstone
If the deceased had strong religious faith, you might wish to install a religious headstone. Religious headstones tend to be cut into the shape of the leading symbol of a religion. For Christians, this is the cross, while those of the Jewish faith tend to opt for the Star of David. The religious symbol can either be mounted on top of a traditional headstone, or it could form the entire grave marker.
A tomb
Because of the amount of stone which is needed to create a tomb, they tend to be much more expensive than traditional headstones. However, they are very popular in some cultures. For example, if the deceased is of Italian descent, they may expect to be buried in a tomb which will have photographs of the deceased displayed on it. These tombs are typically designed to hold more than one body which allows family members to be laid to rest side by side. Using a tomb for multiple burials means that it is normally possible to split the cost of construction among different family members who wish to be buried together.
A flat grave marker
If you do not want to spend a lot of money or if you are planning to intern someone's ashes into the ground, a flat grave marker may be the best option for you. Flat grave markers are much smaller than traditional headstones. They are designed to be inserted, so they are at ground level with the front of the marker facing directly upwards.
If you would like further advice and information about the different grave markers which are available to you, you should contact a funeral home near you.
