Headstones and Monuments

Headstones and monuments are the final closure done on a person's grave for his identification. An inscription is engraved that reflects his achievements, or a short biography is engraved in it, to forever portray his presence in the life of his dear ones. Today, tombstones have evolved in different forms and designs. The nature of the monument chosen by close ones is dependent on their budget. Some families opt for expensive materials like granite and marble to signify wealth and status. The price varies according to the size, design and the material used.

Designs

Before someone else picks up a design for you, why not design your own headstone? Designing a headstone is perhaps the most difficult task in one's life. Many monument supply companies offer multiple design for headstones. In American culture, floral headstone designs are very popular. Themed tombstones containing religious notes and emblems are ideal for people, if religion played an important role in their life. You can opt for rectangular, circular, square, heart or hexagon shapes. There are some important characteristics to be considered before selecting a headstone and they are as follows.

Religious Emblems: A religious gravestone symbol is always a thoughtful way to mark the grave of a person. If the person had a deep religious belief, you can procure a tombstone having quotes from Bible and containing a religious symbol. Headstone design companies suggest many patterns that can be incorporated in headstones.

The Epitaph: This is the most important characteristic of a headstone. The inscription shall define the significance of the descendant. The epitaph can be of few words or quotations from literature and must reflect the character of the person lying under the grave. It should be clearly legible and the monument should have enough room to give it prominence.

Personalization: Personalization is self inclusion of ideas. You can add some extra symbols like an image or write a short note about the person's hobbies and achievements. You can design with various objects like marble carved flowers. Ceramic tiles images, ceramic portraits, and emblazoned porcelain oval tiles are gaining popularity today because of their beautiful designs.

Costs

The prices vary according to the nature of material, the quality of the monument, the design of the stone, and the size of the headstone. Granite, bronze and marble headstones usually cost more. Exquisite porcelain designs are available today having tiles designed on it. Different companies have their own price guide. An approximate estimation of price is done below.

• Single Markers, Granite US $495
• Companion Markers, Granite, US $735
• Single Markers, Bronze, US $1,145
• Companion Markers, Bronze, US $2,200
• Single Monuments, US $845

Jermar Monuments is a reputed house that sells headstones and monuments. They have custom prices and personalized headstones. They also offer discount rates for cheaper sale. The normal price can range from US $1200 to US $2800. Burleson Monuments is a Texas based company that offers these at reasonable rates. Their designs are simple yet elegant. You can also purchase the products online from their websites.

Inscriptions

As I have already said, the choice of headstone inscriptions depend upon the character of the person. Headstone sayings and verses for parents are sentimental, exhibiting the role they played to bring their children up. Similarly, the wordings for someone's wife or husband are extremely emotional, carrying a message of love. The most difficult part is to engrave an epitaph for children because no words can surmount the grief or fill up the vacuum in one's life after such a grave loss. On the contrary, we often come across funny quotes on graves. These are usually meant for people who were intensely jovial in their life and played the role of a comic relief. Mentioned below are some examples of headstones quotes by famous personalities.

Let the dead have the immortality of fame, but the living the immortality of love. ~ Rabindranath Tagore

If we have been pleased with life, we should not be displeased with death, since it comes from the hand of the same master. ~ Michelangelo

Good frend for Jesus sake forbeare to dig the dust encloased heare. Blest be ye man yt spares these stones and crust be he yet moves my bones. ~ William Shakespeare

I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared, for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter. ~ Winston Churchill

With a note of optimism, I say that first select the design and then engrave the epitaph, describing the accomplishments of the descendant's life. Let the soul Rest In Peace!