Exquisite Memorials & Headstones: Honoring Lives with Personalized Tributes

Grave markers (sometimes referred to as “markers”) are smaller in size and can be placed over one or multiple graves. They are one piece (as opposed to an upright headstone, which may consist of a stone and base) and most commonly seen in a single or companion size.

There are different types of grave markers, including grass markers, bevel markers, and slant markers.
Grass markers are typically flush with the ground and 4 inches thick. These types of grave markers are commonly used for a single memorial headstone (meaning it is for one person only). Bevel markers are headstones for graves that are very similar in size to grass markers. However, the notable difference with this type of marker is that they are not flush with the ground, but rather stand roughly 6 inches off the ground with a face that is slanted slightly downward.

Slant markers are the biggest type of marker, as they usually stand 16 inches off the ground and the face of the monument is heavily slanted downward. You have the ability to put the slant marker directly onto the ground or place it on a base to give it an added height.

There are a variety of different types of memorials. Having referenced markers above, the other types of headstone memorials are upright headstones, which come in single and companion sizes. A single upright memorial is used to honor just one person who has died, whereas a companion upright is used to honor 2 or more memories. Upright headstones can come in a variety of shapes and colors, so be sure to consult with your family to see if there are any specific preferences that may need to be addressed when designing your loved one’s memorial.

Memorial benches are unique headstones for sale, as they take the shape of a bench as opposed to the traditional upright stone on a base. If you have done any type of search for headstones for sale online, then you most certainly have seen various types of memorial benches.

There are 2 popular types of memorial benches that are used in place of traditional tombstones. The flat bench memorial is one that is simple yet elegant in nature. It consists of a flat seat with 2 separate legs attached for stability. The other type of memorial bench is the park bench. This is a larger bench with a backrest, where most of the inscription will be engraved.

Searching online for “headstones near me” may bring up a wide range of results, including monument companies, graveyards, and funeral homes. While gravestones and monuments can be provided by any of these types of businesses (and more), it is important to do your due diligence when purchasing a headstone or marker. After all, this memorial will be a tribute to the deceased forever, so it is important that it gets completed correctly and efficiently the first time.

For example, you will want to make sure that the company you are working with has an installation process in place. Believe it or not, there are companies that will sell a headstone to a family and then ask, “Where would you like it shipped?”. Most cemeteries will not accept shipped gravestones for liability purposes, and they will not install them for the same reason. Always be sure that the company you are dealing with will be installing your stone and that the installation is included in your purchase price.

When it comes to the engravings on the stone, there are a couple of different directions that can be taken. The most common is traditional sandblasting. This is where the design, name, birth date, and death date are all engraved with a sandblast machine. The vast majority of headstones in cemeteries are engraved in this traditional way, which has been done for a long time. Any granite color can be sandblasted to give it the desired look and design.

More recently, family members have elected to have their designs etched into the stone via a process called laser etching. This process can only be performed on black granite due to its unique properties. Laser etching is carried out on a laser machine and is a much more shallow type of engraving than traditional sandblasting. Because of this, it does tend to fade over time. However, laser etching on black granite is extremely popular in today’s age, as you can get very detailed with the design and even etch scenes, images, and photo portraits directly into the black stone.

There are 2 ways that you can add a photo portrait of your loved one to their headstone. The first way is by laser etching. This type of photo can only be done when using black granite, and it will be etched directly into the stone.

The other type of photo that you can add is a porcelain photo. A porcelain photo can be created in color or black and white and can be done on any color of granite, including black granite. Through a unique process, a picture of your loved one(s) can be recessed directly into the stone so that the surface of it is flush with the surface of the stone. The picture has a clear porcelain covering that protects it from weather and natural conditions.