Gravemarkers and Headstones – What are my options?

May 08
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A visit to a gravesite can be a time for remembrance, reflection and acknowledgement. People experience different feelings and emotions at the time of their visit but one thing that is common for all is the grieving and healing process accompanied with this visitation. A visit to a gravesite has the power to provide solace to the aching heart. Thus it is important to contribute sufficient time to plan how you want your loved one’s grave to look like.

Gravemarkers and Headstones are two well-liked options for a memorial monument. The purpose of both is to identify the demised person. This similarity often confuses people and they use the term interchangeably. Through this article, you will be able to better understand the difference between them and learn about the different options available.

Similarities between Gravemarkers and Headstones

Both Gravemarkers and Headstones serve as a marker to identify whose body is buried under the ground at that place.
Headstones and gravemarkers are placed over a grave.
Important information about the deceased such as the name of the deceased, their birth and death dates is etched on the polished surface of the monument. A prayer, an epitaph or some personal information can also be occasionally inscribed on a marker and a headstone. Nowadays some people also engrave a picture of the deceased.

Differences between Gravemarkers and Headstones

Both marker and headstone differ in appearance. A gravemarker is a flat plate-like structure which lays against the ground, while a headstone is an upright monument and it stands tall over the grave.
As the headstone stands erect, the information written on it can be read easily, whereas for reading the information written on a marker, you have to stand near a gravesite.
Gravemarkers are smaller and require less material for making unlike headstones.
While a gravemaker is commonly made of a single piece of granite or bronze, a gravestone can be made of marble, slate, wood, granite, bronze, iron or sandstone.

Some popular type of gravemarkers

Ledger gravemarker: It is a large piece of a slab and covers the entire grave. It varies in its size from a traditional gravemarker and gives more space to feature personal information, inscription or a quote.
Sloped stone marker: Sloped stone markers are also called bevel markers. The back of such markers are raised, which gives a slanting and upright appearance to the markers.
Sculpture markers: A sculpted memorial or a statue stands on a flat marker. These are not so simple markers, but rather are quite attractive.

Portrait marker: On the portrait markers, a portrait of a lost loved one can be imprinted with a flower or a religious symbol embellished over it.

Why to choose a gravemarker

A gravemarker is a cost effective and economical option. It is good for anyone who doesn’t have the financial assets to spend much on a monument.
They are very elegant and subtle. It is the right choice for those who want to keep it simple.
These markers don’t draw attention to itself, rather offer the experience of uninterrupted visitation.

Some Popular types of headstones

Upright headstones : An upright headstone is placed vertically on the horizontal base which is basically 6 inches thick. It is the most common type of a gravestone.
Slanting headstone: Slanting headstones generally stand with a base. It is similar to upright headstones, except that it is slanting in the front.
Bench headstones: Bench headstones are the best kind of headstones because it offers a place for the visitors to sit in peace and reflect on all the memories of a lost loved one. It is a comforting monument and features information about the deceased in a creative manner.

Why to choose a Headstone

There are a wider array of gravestones than any other monument. It gives a scope to create a headstone of any shape and size. A personalized design of toys, angels, dolls can be made for a children’s headstone while a musical instrument, a sport equipment or any other design can be made for an adult’s monument.
While gravemarkers are affordable for most people, headstones are quite expensive. Some people choose Headstones as a symbol of wealth.
A headstone puts more focus on the inscriptions and epitaphs, because it is generally large in size and stands erect.

Gravemarkers and headstones are more than just monuments. It should reflect something valuable about the departed person’s life and should match their personality. When people put efforts to carefully craft these memorials, it provides peace to the family members who gather to remember the time well spent with the loved one. These memorials are cherished even by generations to come.Therefore, it is important to make sure to choose a material which can’t erode very easily and will stay for a very long time.