Choosing a gravestone engraving is a personal decision that can be difficult to make during an emotional time. The most common engraving includes the name, birth and death dates, and an epitaph. Regulations may apply to cemetery placement, and military service members may have limited options. Funeral home and cemetery personnel can provide guidance.
The gravestone engraving falls under the topic of final provisions and is a difficult topic for many people to discuss. Often, final agreements are made during a painful and emotional time in people’s lives, and the decisions that need to be made are even more difficult at that time. Buying and engraving headstones is one of those decisions and it’s quite an important one considering that the manufacturer will last for many, many years in most situations.
A headstone serves as both a marker and a memorial to a loved one. Whether placed at a burial site, or erected as a memorial to someone who was never buried, a headstone or headstone pays homage to a loved one while providing a place for the remaining loved ones to visit. Choosing a gravestone engraving is a very personal choice and can be simple or very intricate, depending on the wishes of those involved.
The most common gravestone engraving includes the name of the deceased, followed by the dates of their birth and death. In addition to this conventional engraving, an epitaph may also be engraved. This could range from a favorite quote or Bible verse to a simpler identifying phrase, such as a beloved mother, father, daughter, son or friend. An engraving may also include a picture or image that represents the person’s favorite hob, lifelong passion, or other symbol of significance. Engraving is not limited in choice, but ultimately the decision rests with what those closest to the deceased deem appropriate.
While your choice of headstone engraving isn’t particularly limited, there may be rules or regulations that apply to the cemetery where the headstone will be placed. Check with the cemetery superintendent to make sure you understand the rules of the cemetery before ordering a headstone. In many cases, the cemetery works closely with the monument company and the more mundane details are worked out between them.
If the deceased person was in active service in the United States military, the VA provides government-issued headstones free of charge. Loved ones or next of kin still have some input regarding gravestone engraving, but the options are much more limited. Other countries may have similar military service benefits for the deceased, so be sure to check with the proper authorities.
When it comes time to choose a headstone engraving for someone near and dear, remember that there are funeral home and cemetery personnel who are readily available to help you and answer any questions you may have. Gravestone selection and engraving is a personal matter and there is no inherently right or wrong way to memorialize a loved one.
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