We live only once and so people dear to us should remember our beginning and also the end. The farewell of a person should equally be etched and a head stone does fulfill the requirement to the full. In a cemetery, a headstone helps to give details about the death of a loved one. Also called as a gravestone, it is normally a stone placed on the area of burial or over the grave. Muslims, Christians and Jews prefer using a gravestone.
What is found on a gravestone?
A single stone supplier placed on the burial place of the loved one contains many details that create an everlasting memory to the survivors of the dead person and also to the generations to come. It contains details such as:
- The deceased’s name
- Deceased’s pet name
- Date of birth
- Date of death
- Personal message
- A prayer
- Sometimes a photograph
The deceased’s family, mainly to remember the loved one forever, inscribes all or few of the above on the stone.
Types of stones used in headstones
There are various types of headstones used in making a gravestone. Few of them are listed below:
- Fieldstones
- Marble
- Limestone
- Granite
- Sandstone
- Slate
Fieldstones were the ones used long back and in ancient times the symbol and name of the person were carved on it. On a granite stone, any type of artwork or numbers or alphabets can be inscribed with the help of rotary-bits using computers. Marble and another type of limestone are also easy to crave in and were used centuries ago.
There are different forms and types in which gravestones can be made. It mainly depends on the deceased request before death or is based on the family wish. It could be slabs with different shapes. The stones could be rounded, semi-circular, pointed arch, square, gabled etc. All the shapes and forms have a different meaning based on the religion or the requirement. Few examples, the different forms of headstones are:
- Anchor shape – Hope
- Arch shape – Rejoined with partner
- Heart shape – Devotion
- Crossed swords – Lost life in a battle
Steps to install a gravestone
A headstone is a very integral and sentimental part of a cemetery. Hence, care should be taken while installing the stone supplier in the burial area. The gravestones are heavy and hence without any damage they should be installed as it is of great importance to the deceased’s families.
Step 1: Make sure that headstones are installed on concrete base.
Step 2: Measurement of length, width and height of the stone is to be done.
Step 3: Digging a proper hole with 2 to 3 feet of depth of the same measurement.
Step 4: Dig holes for outer edge and place two bars for support.
Step 5: A mix of water and cement is added to the hole and allowed to dry.
Step 6: Place the gravestone and pack it properly for support.
Once a gravestone is installed, it is ready to be visited. It can be decorated with flowers, stones, wreaths and other things close to heart. These gravestones are visited during special days like the deceased birthday, death anniversary or during the deceased’s family occasions.
If you are in search of a good headstone, then there are many online options. Care should be taken while rounding on a gravestone and one must check all possible options before finalizing a stone.
- One has to decide on the design, material and inscription on the headstone
- One should compare gravestones offered by other competitors before ordering
- The credibility of the supplier and the quality of gravestone should be checked
All the above should be checked and verified, as you are bidding adieu to your loved one. Please stay connected with us here for your adored people’s valued headstones.