Personalized headstones can offer a unique insight into the life of a loved one. They can feature carvings, symbols and even illustrations that tell a story.
Besides names, dates and other basic information, they can include memorial quotes that highlight the person’s interests. For example, a musician might have their favorite instrument or song represented on the stone.
1. Choose the Stone
A headstone is more than just a marker to indicate where a loved one’s body rests. It also serves as a memorial that should capture their personality and provide a glimpse into who they were as people. That is why many families choose to include a variety of personal touches. These can range from special artwork to meaningful quotes.
The first step in designing a personalized headstone is choosing the type of stone you want. There are a variety of options available, including granite and marble. Granite is a common choice because it comes in different colors and can be carved into unique shapes. Marble is another popular option because it has a more traditional feel and can be engraved to create intricate designs.
Once you’ve decided on a type of stone, you should think about how the shape will look on the gravesite. Most cemetery rules require that headstones be a certain size and shape to fit in the lot and meet specific requirements set by the cemetery, according to one Headstone maker. If you want your loved ones headstone to be a particular shape, you’ll need to work with the monument shop to design a custom piece that meets all of the necessary specifications.
Next, you’ll need to decide whether or not you’d like the headstone etched or engraved. Etching is a great way to add a personal touch to a headstone because it allows for more text and more detail than engraving. For example, if your loved one was an artist, you can have their most recent painting or poem etched onto the headstone. Similarly, for someone who was an avid traveler, you could have an illustrated map of the world on their memorial.
Finally, you’ll need to decide if you want any extreme embellishments on your loved one’s memorial. These can be anything from a sculpture of birds, hearts, or angels to porcelain photographs. They can also be any other decorative elements that you want to include on the headstone. These can be added to enhance the message being conveyed by your memorial or simply to give visitors a visual representation of your loved one.
2. Think About the Inscription
We’ve all seen pictures of headstones with funny or smart inscriptions carved on them. It’s true that you can write whatever you want on a gravestone, though how much is allowed depends on cemetery rules and restrictions. For that reason, it’s important to think carefully about the words and phrases you want on your loved one’s memorial before making a final decision.
The inscription should include the person’s name, birth and death dates, and possibly other significant information like the cause of death or an epitaph. It’s also a good idea to add a personal touch by including a meaningful quote or piece of artwork. If you don’t know what to say, try asking other family members and close friends for advice. Sometimes it’s easier to see what a loved one would have wanted on their own memorial.
You can also choose to include symbols and unique shapes that reflect the person’s hobbies and passions. For example, if your loved one was an avid fan of music, you might consider including a musical note, guitar or other symbol. You can even make your loved ones’ favorite food or beverage part of the design!
In addition to a person’s name, birth and death dates, it can be a nice touch to include the date of their marriage on a memorial. It can help people who visit the site understand how they lived their lives together and can give them a sense of connection to the couple.
When choosing the wording for an inscription, be sure to avoid phrases that may become outdated or worn out over time. A great way to avoid this is by choosing a lyrical line from a song, poem or famous quote that can be easily understood and enjoyed for years to come.
Once you’ve considered all of the elements that go into designing a personalized headstone, it’s time to talk to a memorial expert. A Dignity Memorial(r) associate can help you find the right stone, shape and color of granite, and provide tips on how to design a unique and special tribute.
3. Consider the Embellishments
Most headstones include a loved one’s name, birth and death dates but a good memorial is far more than that. It is a chance to honor the unique life of your loved one and provide family members and visitors with a sense of their personality and character. It can be done with the help of etchings and engravings that go a step beyond simple lettering. Perhaps you could include a piece of artwork that reflects their passion or a quote or poem that captures their personality. An etching of a photograph can also add a personal touch. If they were a nurse, police officer or farmer, etchings of their uniform or their tractor can give visitors insight into their passion and dedication.
Bronze is another material that has been used in memorialization for a long time and adds to the beauty of a stone while helping it to stand out from its surroundings. It is a metal that can be incorporated into the design of many different types of memorials and some cemeteries even require certain percentages of bronze in the monument design.
For families who prefer a more contemporary look, a digital headstone can be considered. Although it has yet to gain widespread acceptance, a digital memorial can allow you to upload testimonials from loved ones, videos and images that reflect your loved one’s personality and life and provide visitors with a more comprehensive portrait of your loved one.
For those who wish to create a truly unique memorial, uniquely shaped stones are available. These can be a great choice for companion or family memorials and are well suited for children’s memorials. Some of these can be sculpted to resemble animals, flowers or other natural objects. For example, a heart-shaped memorial can be designed to capture the love that was shared and lost or a butterfly to represent their passion for nature.
4. Think About the Lettering
For those that choose a traditional headstone, there are many options to include personalization. A custom headstone can be designed with names, dates, symbols and illustrations to help tell a loved one’s unique life story.
When it comes to the lettering on a monument, there are many fonts to choose from. Each font conveys a different feeling. A soft, round font is often chosen to convey a kind and loving personality, while a calligraphy or script font can be used for a more elegant look. A professional stonemason can assist you in choosing a font that complements your loved one’s personality and fits the style of your memorial.
The use of etching and engraving is another popular way to add a personal touch to a memorial. These techniques can be used to include photographic images, artwork and even maps. For example, if your loved one was an avid traveler, an illustrated map of the world can be etched onto their headstone. Likewise, a photo of a child can be included to showcase their youthfulness.
Other personalization options can include a favorite quote, proverb or saying of your loved one that best encapsulates their character and spirit. Perhaps your loved one had a special term of endearment that they would use when referring to their children and grandchildren or an inspiring quote that brings comfort to those who visit their gravesite.
With technological advancement, memorial companies can offer more than a standard rectangular memorial. A headstone can be cut into any shape, such as a cross or heart, to provide an even more personalized and meaningful design.
When designing a headstone, it is important to take the process step by step and work with a reputable monument company to make sure your design will be compliant with any regulations adopted by the cemetery. This includes not only size, shape and material restrictions, but also the type and color of your memorial. Taking the time to understand these limitations can make it easier to select a headstone that reflects your loved one’s personality and honors their memory.
