Gravestones

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 May 2010 20:34

man-at-a-grave-side

When the time comes to choose a gravestone for a loved one it's a good ideato have a look at a few different dealers and check the quality and design ofthe stone as it should be durable and well designed. There are a lot of optionsout there and remember that it will represent that persons life and death foryears to come so its worth investing and getting quality.

Contact a mason or manufacturer of grave markers and set up an appointmentto meet. It's best if you get a recommendation from a trusted source, or youcan look in the yellow pages under "Monuments."

Go to the monument company personally and look at photos of the types of grave markers themanufacturer provides.
Select the material for the headstone. Granite is most popular (and comes in a variety of colours),but you may also choose bronze or marble. Have the company show you actualsamples of these materials.
Choose the type, size and shape of stone you desire. Remember that many cemeteries have limitationsregarding headstone type and size. The monument company should review theselimitations for you before you order the stone.
Determine whatinformation will appear on the stone. Most monument companies include a certainnumber of letters or words in the price of the stone, but if you want moreinformation, more elaborate carving, or pictures to appear on the headstone,you will have to pay more.
Go back to the company to approve the final layout. Before the information is carved into the stone,you will need to approve the design on paper.
Allow four to six weeks for completion of the carved stone.
Check the marker to besure all information is correct.
Have the stone set. Either the monument company or the cemetery will be responsible for setting thestone, but you will have to pay an installation fee regardless of who sets it.
Check the deceased's lastwishbook.com profile to see if they had made a specific request for theirstone! (I told you I was ill!)

Gravestones – useful information

In your lastwishbook.com profile you can add what you would like towrite on your gravestone. Please write to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Thise-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled toview it along with any amusing ones you have heard about and we will postit on the home page.

What is a Gravestone?

Originally, a tombstone was the stone lid of a stone coffin, or the coffinitself, and a gravestone was the stone slab that was laid over a grave. Now allthree terms are also used for markers placed at the head of the grave. Originally graves in the 1700's also contained footstones to demarcate the foot end of thegrave. Footstones were rarely carved with more than the deceased's initials andyear of death, and many cemeteries and churchyards have removed them to makecutting the grass easier. Note however that in many UK cemeteries theprincipal, and indeed only, marker is placed at the foot of the grave.

Modern gravestones may include framed photos of the deceased; photographicimages or artwork (showing the loved one, or some other image relevant to theirlife, interests or achievements). These can now be laid onto smooth stonesurfaces. Many cemeteries, however, especially those surrounding historicchurches or in conservation areas, have strict regulations as to the appropriatematerials for a gravestone, and also may forbid the use of artificial flowers.

Inscriptions

Remember to check the loved ones lastwishbook.com profile to see if theyhave specified what inscription they would prefer on their head stone. Itsworth having a look on-line to se some of the classic ones....

Here are just a few ....

Here lies my wife: Here let her lie! Now she's at rest and so am I.

Anna Wallace - The children of Israel wanted bread And the Lord sent themmanna, Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife, And the Devil sent him Anna.

Here lies an atheist all dressed up and no place to go.

Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake, stepped on the gas instead of thebrake."

Here lays Butch, we planted him raw. He was quick on the trigger, but slowon the draw.

Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear, to dig the dust enclosed here.

Blest be the man that spares these stones, and cursed be he that moves mybones. Shakespeare