If a headstone were to be described, it will sum up as a piece of stone that has inscriptions on it, inscriptions that talk about the person whose death is marked by the relevant headstone, standing erect at that place. Sometimes, the headstones are meant to offer a prose or a verse from the Holy Scriptures and sometimes these headstones are used to provide an insight of the person’s life. Whatever the reason for these headstones, the sole purpose is to etch memories and these comprise ones that last for eternity.
Purpose
- Headstones are usually a huge block of stone placed over the grave of a person marking the death of that person. It is to commemorate his life and his soul that such headstones are erected.
- Sometimes the additional headstones are necessitated for the other family members; if at all the same vicinity is chosen. Headstones for such purposes are also becoming popular in recent times.
Content of a Headstone
- The headstone may contain messages and may be inscribed with poems or with the person’s favorite songs or lines. These are put up in fond memory of the person who is no more and remembered by his people.
- Headstones have shots phases inscribed on them such as –
-‘In fond memory of”
-“With Love”
-“Forever Loved”
-“In our Hearts”
- Headstones contain information about people who are no more. They are placed after the burial is over and generally these contain markers about the person’s name, their date of birth, date of death, and these may be accompanied by a personal message or a prayer.
- Headstones contain funerary art and may be accompanied by accessories or adornments such as porcelain statues, flowers, bronze adornments, petals, etc.
- In some parts of Europe, it is common to find a photograph of a person inscribed along with the above mentioned information and details.
Types of Headstones (Materials): It is not uncommon for a cemetery to follow the norms of practice and allow only certain materials and make for a headstone. Some may constrict the placement of a headstone at the site for not earlier than six months after which a permanent headstone can be installed there. Others may require a specific shape and texture conformity. Cemeteries require regular inspection and refurbishment and maintenance. Masonry work follows from time to time at such places. There are various types of headstones made of varied materials such as:
Stones
- Fieldstones – The earliest markers for graves were field stones; most of them were unmarked and not decorated. Typical motifs were followed mainly to mark the birth and death of a deceased person.
- Granite – Monumental Masons are famous for their headstone creations made out of granite. It is a hard stone and requires immense skill set for carving by hand.
- Marble – Again famed for use as headstones, these too require a certain degree of skills to get the perfect carvings on the headstone.
- Limestone – The problem with a headstone made out of limestone is that with time the mild acid present in the lime stones make the readings illegible and so the markings are no longer visible. these demand regular maintenance
- Sandstone – A durable stone and easy to carve, these are a favorite amongst the masons for horning out beautiful traditional headstones.
- Slate – This is porous in surface but is pleasant for carving.
Metal and Wood
- Iron – Iron markers were very common during the Victorian Era. However, this is subject to rust and erodes fast.
- White Bronze – These are more durable than marble and are preferred for their economical rates too as compared with marble.
- Apart from the above mentioned two metals, headstones can also be carved out of wood and sometimes planting of shrubs or planters is also prevalent as a medium to adorn the area and mark the death of a loved one. If you want to know more about Headstones then Please follow us today!