In today's western culture we often forget to remember our
ancestors' experiences and their impact on our lives. A grave can provide a
peaceful resting place for our mortal bodies and, for friends and family, a
place to commemorate and honour the decedents. The design of a headstones should
be a thoughtful process and include the family's input to create a personalized
and individual result. A well-crafted monument can be of great help to provide
a tranquil place to remember our loved ones.
Nowadays, a large percentage of headstones are mass produced. This creates a
certain standard and uniformity, which can be seen on larger cemeteries where
most headstones are of similar sizes, colors and inscriptions. However, there
are some monumental masons who still design and craft their own headstones. In
this case, the deceased's family's input is very important, because it helps to
create a unique monument which honours the life of their loved one. Sometimes,
choosing a local stone can also be important to the families.
When choosing a headstone, there are several different options. First of all,
the materials need to be chosen - for example, the colour and type of stone
(e.g. granite, marble or limestone) and any additional materials such as inlays
or lettering. The selection of shape and size is also important and is
sometimes regulated by the cemeteries. Some people choose a headstone from a
catalogue, but existing designs can usually also be altered. Another option
would be to have a headstone designed and crafted by a monumental mason, which
would result in the most unique and personalized monument.
