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Important information about headstones that you need to know

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15 Dec 2020
By Admin | Dec 15, 2020 | Headstone |

Important information about headstones that you need to know

One can be tirelessly working through day and night, but when they lose a loved one, it is time for the former to sit back, take out some time to think and grieve about their big loss and think of getting the one they’ve lost a headstone that sums up a lot about them. A headstone has been very essential in the old and modern times. People have expressed their love for the ones they have lost by picking the best headstone for them, that stands through the scorching sun of the day and the dreadful rainy days. One that does not erode away easily and doesn’t get affected by any weather conditions.

They can choose from the wide variety of stones that are available in the market, that they want to get the message or the name of the deceased inscribed upon. Also, they have the liberty to choose any shape or size according to the grave and the space available.

What are headstones?

Headstones are also known as tombstones or gravestones, that are made in the memorial of the people who have passed away. It comprises of the name of the deceased person and his details including his birth date, death date and his name. Apart from this, other information or proverb can also be engraved on to it.

These stones can also include the special message by any of the closest members of the person who has died. If you ever happen to go to a graveyard, you will see a number of graves marked with different kind of stones, which are different in size and shapes. These are made of different kinds of stones such as marble, granite, slate, etc.

There are people who decide about the gravestone they would like over their grave. They decide all in advance and let their loved ones know. It is sometimes chosen according to the personality of the person, hence, the colour of the stone can vary accordingly.

What do the headstones include?

Headstones have become quite essential for everyone these days, as no one would want their loved one to lie in their grave without a mark up for them. Also, getting some information about them engraved on the stone lets the information about that person pass on from generations to generations. Some of the important details that one can get included on the gravestone includes the name of the deceased, his surname, date of birth, date of death and a little eulogy about him.

In some cases, people might also like to add funerary art as well as a prayer in the headstone. In several parts of the world, people also like to include a photo of the one they have lost. The side of the stone that has the inscriptions generally faces the grave, however, the people can choose to face it the other way as well depending upon what they want.

Why should you time to shed thoughts over the inscription?

A human does not stay forever, but his legacy will stay forever through generations. Therefore, it is of extreme importance to take out time to ponder over the words you would want to get inscribed on the stone. The inscription should have proper and valid details along with the important information about the person and his family details. Remember, this information is going to be passed on from generations to generations and people are going to relate with it some where or the other.

Thus, you must first think about what to get inscribed on it and validate only the essential information. While you put the deceased person’s information and a little eulogy of him on the stone, it is very important to consider a lot of things about him and his family and the intangible things that he will carry with his name even after his death.

When can you place a headstone on the grave?

There are a lot of type of headstones available in the market, across countries. One can spare a great deal of time to choose from the options available. While it takes almost a year for the ground around a grave to settle down, the big question is if you should put it thereafter or wait for some more time? Well, it is said that one must let the ground and the grave settle for at least a year after the person is buried as the grave settles down on the bed and the ground also keeps adjusting for the next one year.

However, it is advisable to wait for even long and spend that time choosing the gravestone you want to set on the grave so as to avoid any future problems including the leaning of the grave.

After bidding adieu to your loved one on his funeral, you can keep visiting him, but it is certainly a bad idea to mark his grave with a headstone for as long as 12 months or more. Other elements that play a pivotal role in deciding the time factor of the grave include the following:

  • -Climatic conditions of the site
  • -Soil settlement time
  • -The age old traditions followed by families

Placement of the headstone on a grave

The headstones are meant to be placed on the head of the graves, as we can understand from the name itself. It should be placed on the top of a person’s deathbed as that is where it is supposed to be and how it has been for centuries. This is an age old tradition that has been followed far and wide, across cities, nations and the globe.

However, there are several other things that need to be considered for the placement of the headstone. The graves are generally laid down in a symmetrical order so that all the foot of the graves face towards the east, so that the sunlight can directly fall upon the heads of all of them on the resurrection day.

While all graveyards have been following this since years, there might be few which do not adhere to these beliefs and switch to some other directions depending upon their convenience. Apart from this, it should be in the center of the grave, on the head of the grave, so that it has equal side on both sides.

In case you have to re set the headstone after some years, you have to ensure the entire removal of the previous headstone from the soil. While you place the old one flat on the ground, you can raise the new headstone and place it right in its position and avoid it from leaning against the grave. Also, you must ensure to make the base of the headstone by filling it with gravel so that the headstone can remain strong and erect with it.

Material used in making headstone

There are a lot of materials that the headstones are made from. Now, the headstones available in different countries might vary according to the availability of the stone in a particular country. However, the most common types of stones that are used in making headstones include the likes of marble, granite, bronze, concrete / cement, iron, sandstone, limestone, fieldstone and wood.

One can choose form a wide variety of stones and choose the one that goes well with their needs and the kind of environment where the graveyard is situated. A headstone should be choose wisely as you might want it to stay for years and witnessed by generations. What is the point of putting in your heart, money and emotions into a headstone that is eroded away with time. Therefore, you must always ensure the quality of the headstone you are investing in. If you are seeking durability in a headstone, you must consider stones like granite and marble.

These two can be made into any design and pattern, anything can be inscribed on to them and they stay as they are for ever or atleast for as long as possible. Also, if you are in a dilemma on finalizing one between the two, you can see your budget as granite might cost you less as compared to a headstone made in marble.

Will you have to wait after placing the order for a headstone?

Everything happens at the time it is meant to be. Similarly, getting a headstone made in a single day is never going to happen. From selecting the stone, to finalizing its design and the inscription, and then waiting for the mason to do his job and making the headstone look appealing and charismatic, there is a lot that goes into making one for your loved one.

Therefore, it is said that it is not something that can happen overnight. For something to stay with your beloved next to his grave for a lifetime, you have to spend some time in getting it made. If you go to a headstone store and select a stone, you have to wait until they finally make one for you and when it can be picked to be installed.

Alternatively, people can now a days submit all their details online and select a headstone from one of the online platforms. After the headstone is done, it will be delivered to your doorstep and then you can spend some time on getting it installed, which can vary from a single day to over a week.

What accessories you might need along with the headstone

So, do you think that the headstone comes alone, or maybe if you are done getting a headstone, that is the end of it? Have you ever known about the accessories that accompany a headstone to make it look more personal and give it a subtler touch? There are things like ceramic photo frames, vases memorial lights, statues, figures, etc., that can be placed alongside the headstones.

This will only uplift the mood of the people who will come to visit the grave, also make it look appealing even in sad times. There are a number of online portals that have started selling headstones these days.

Apart from letting the users select from a wide range of stones that can be used as headstones, these online websites also allow them to scroll through a number of accessories to choose from that can accompany the gravestone.

Designs for choosing a headstone

A memorial should always be chosen according to the person it is being selected for, therefore keeping the likes and dislikes of the deceased who has left for the heavenly abode and making it according to him is very important. This is vital because that is hwat he will be remembered as and with in the future years. There is a variety of options of designs that the headstone manufacturers offer to the people to choose from these days. One can get any design made or customised for their loved ones.

There are few things that you must be clear about before selecting a headstone for someone. Personalization is something that everyone looks forward to, therefore, all the good headstone companies all across the world allow you to get a headstone made in a design of your choice. Here are the questions you must have clear answers to before selecting a headstone:

  • - The relationship you shared with the person whom you are getting it made for. How was that person when alive?
  • - What will the funeral ceremony of the person be like. Will there be a ritual of cremation or is it just a burial?
  • - The amount of money you are willing to spend on the memorial?
  • - Is there a special design that you have thought of, or will you go for one of the designs available with the headstone manufacturer?
  • - The place where the memorial of the person will take place.

Conclusion

To give love and respect to your loved ones is very important and to offer the same unconditional love by getting them a mark that can be endured for a lifetime is something you will always feel grateful about in your life. Therefore, choose a headstone wisely for the person who has left the world forever.

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