Things To Consider When Choosing A Headstone For Your Loved One

Choosing the right headstone is a perfect way to memorialize a friend for many years. However, it’s not that easy to select an ideal monument. The design of a gravestone should be such that it reflects the soul’s personality and also represents how they lived their life.

In this article, we’ll cover all the essential aspects of a headstone to help you make the right decision in selecting one for your loved one who passed away. First of all, it’s vital to understand the specific rules and regulations for headstones at your cemetery. Also, setting a budget, choosing the right monument material and design, and selecting a reputable memorial builder will make the headstone selection process easy.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with essential information regarding headstones to make an informed decision.

Types Of Headstones

When selecting a headstone, decide what text you’ll use on it – each letter of the text matters when it comes to a grave marker. The text size can have a significant impact on the outcome of the tombstone design.

The following are some of the common types of headstones you can choose from:

• Upright Headstones: these stones are one of the most traditional headstones out there – these are usually made of granite, limestone, or marble
• Flat Headstones: these stones are typically made of granite or bronze (also called flat markets or flat tablets) – they are available in a range of colors, finishes, materials, and sizes
• Kerbed Headstones: these stones are full-length headstones (also called ledger markers) – they provide increased room for personalized expression
• Cremation Benches: these stones are a suitable replacement for traditional headstones and don’t require a concrete base – they’re often utilized to improve the overall look of memorial gardens

Headstone Materials

The material used in crafting a headstone is a highly important factor because it can impact the visual properties of the final gravestone design as well as your placement options. Also, the durability concerns of a particular stone can significantly affect the longevity of your headstone.

The following are some of the common headstone materials you can choose from:

• Granite: this material is considered to be one of the most easily adaptable ones with enhanced durability and finishes and color options – it’s a widely preferred headstone building material because of its greater aesthetic appeal
• White marble: this is a bright substance containing unique grey and blue textures – however, due to its increased fragility, it shouldn’t be placed in damp areas
• Nabresina: this is a type of limestone having a beige shade – however, it’s not as durable as granite or white marble
• Portland: this is a type of grey limestone that discolors over time, resulting in a worn and weathered appearance – it requires deeps cuts and capital letters for inscriptions

Headstone Finishes

Selecting the right type of finish is as important as selecting the right material for making your grave marker. A suitable finish will have a lasting impact on the appearance and durability of the headstone.

The following are some of the standard headstone finishes you can choose from:

• Polished: these finishes are the smooth and shiny finishes type – they require no maintenance
• Part-polished: these types are only polished on the base and inscription area – this effect is usually utilized to emphasize the images and epitaphs
• Honed: these finishes are smooth, yet non-reflective – they provide more depth to the headstones containing three or more colors
• Pitched: these finishes are crafted with a hammer and bolster – they’re increasingly rustic

Headstone Designs

The design of a particular headstone usually consists of the finish and shape of the stone. Some of the most common headstone designs include cross-shaped, book-shaped, heart-shaped, serpentine-shaped, tear-shaped, and half ogee-shaped headstones.

Summit Memorials takes pride in assisting you to honor your loved ones with the best quality granite headstones across Alberta and Saskatchewan. Visit our website to see our selection of granite memorials or contact us for customized care.