By Admin | Oct 5, 2020 | Tombstone |

A complete study on the countries that excel in producing headstones and their designs.

What can be better than honouring your loved ones with beautiful tombstones and engraving their birth and death years on them? Headstones have become very important in modern times and people always look forward to get the best one for their family members and relatives.

n the recent part Christians have started honouring their loved ones by getting a gravestone of a design that they have never seen or used before. They have always given priority to the design of the headstone and the stone used in it. Since they have sentimental values attached with headstones, people have become very particular about the design and quality of stone used in it.

Talking about the designs of the headstones, there is a variety to choose from. There are several countries that offer various designs and quality of headstone. These stones are also used to make sculptures like that of an angel among others to put on top of the headstone. Apart from this, there are other symbols and figures that one can use to place on top of the headtsones.

There are several countries which have been on the top when it comes to the production of headstones. Granite monument is the most used in the making of headstones and carving out sculptors.

What are memorial headstones?

Headstones are mostly made of granite and are in dark colour that are placed on the head of a grave. It is very common to have the details of the deceased to be engraved on a headstone. Some even like to get a photo of the deceased person framed inside the gravestone.

Then there are headstones that have special prayers from the loved ones for their family members of the ones they were very close to. We are leading headstones suppliers in India and our factory processes all types of headstones.

Stones used for making headstones

Take a look at the stones that are used in making headstones with engraved content and sculptors:

• 1. Granite : The modern day stone that is dark in colour and requires hand skill for engraving content. It is one of the most used stone world wide in today’s time. There are special methods using computer to create an epitaph and artwork on the headstone to be put on the grave of a person. These days the artwork on the granite headstones is done using computer controlled rotary bits and the other way is by sandblasting on a stencil made of rubber. Granite might lose its shine going forward, but a good polish will bring the lustre back.
• 2. Fieldstones : It is a rock that occurs naturally and in local fields, mostly used in Europe which are later decorated with a metal awl. It includes the very basic motif such as the name and age of the person for whose grave it has been made. The stone is mostly used for buildings; however, some also use it for making headstones.
• 3. Marble : Marble comes third on the list which most of the people are already aware of. This is one of the most used stones in the entire world. Talking about the usage of marble in making headstones, it was at its peak from the 1850s to 1920s. It is one stone that is easy to carve and the cheapest among other stones. The low price might attract people to get this one fit to the graves of their loved ones, however, the stone cannot stand strong for a long time like Granite and tends to erode after a couple of years.
• 4. Cement : Concrete headstones have also gained popularity among users as these are the cheapest and tend to stay for long. These are not any stones as cement is used in making these, however, it can be shaped into unique ways.
• 4. Limestone and sandstone : One might find it easy to carve on a sandstone or limestone, but the durability of this one is also not very great, just like in the case of marble stone. This one too tends to erode year after year.

Designs of headstones

A headstone is a memorial and must be made according to the likes of a person. There is a variety of designs to choose from and one can get any design made 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:

• - Who is the headstone being made for and how is that person related to you?
• - Will there be a ritual of cremation or is it just a burial?
• - How much are you ready 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.

There are a lot of headstone companies that offer a plethora of designs to choose from. From letting you inscribe some details of the deceased person to writing prayers or getting his photo framed into it, there is a lot you can choose from. We as headstone manufacturers understand that it is always hard to lose a loved one, and we hope that Stoneagis Headstones can make choosing the right memorial as easy as possible. Here is a list of some designs that can be opted for while choosing a headstone:

• -Tropical beach headstone design
• -Individual headstone design
• -Family tree companion headstone design
• -Mountain scene companion headstone
• -Individual headstone
• -Companion headstone design
• -Golf headstone design
• -Mountain eagle headstone design
• -Companion grave marker
• -Chinese headstone designs
• -Family estate monument
• -Natural cemetery gravestone
• -Tree memorial
• -Angel wings headstone
• -Celtic cross catholic cemetery headstone

Shapes and styles of headstones

Apart from letting you choose a design for the monument, there are companies that also let you select the style and shape of the headstone you want to purchase. Since everyone has their own preferences, these headstone companies make sure to offer you the leverage of customizing to a level you want to. However, there are some standard shapes that we are going to discuss about further.

• 1. Upright headstones :These ones a designed in a way that carry information on one part of the headstone, so that it is visible when it stands tall on a grave. The horizontal portion of the headstone is the base which rests on the ground, while the rest of it is standing upright. The back of this headstone usually consists of designs and a brief of the family of the deceased. Here are some shapes of upright monuments that you can choose from:
  • - Straight
  • - Oval
  • - Concave
  • - Convex
  • - Serpentine
  • - Ridge
  • - Tapered
  • - Reverse tapered
  • - Apex
• 2. Slant headstones :The base of this headstone is thick which keeps diminishing as going up. Hence, it is in a slanting position when seen from front. The tip of this headstone is normally not more than 2 inches in thickness. The headstone companies give the customers of option of keeping to top part of the headstone either oval or flat.
• 3. Flat headstones :These do not stand upright like in the case of the above two mentioned headstones. The flat memorials lie flat on the ground above the grave. The thickness of this headstone is not more than 4 inches and it can carry information of a single person buried.
• 4. Bevel headstones :This one is somewhat similar to the flat markers as these also lie flat on the ground, however the thickness of the headstone varies from one end to the other. It is slightly slanted from the top end to the bottom. The thickness or these memorials vary from 6 inches to 8 inches and can be used for an individual or his companion.
• 5. Ledger memorials :If you are looking for a more personalized memorial to get a prayer or details of a person inscribed on the entire stone, then this one is the right one for you. It covers the entire length of the buried and is 4 inches in thickness. You can get a detailed inscription done on this stone as it has more space to offer.
• 6. Ledgers with slant headstones :this is a combination of a ledger memorial that offers a lot of space and scope to the person to get something inscribed about the deceased. However, the slanted bevel headstone can be used to write the important details such as the important dates of one’s life.
• 7. Rock monument :These ones more like the upright and slant memorials which can be placed like an open book on the burial of a person. These can also be personalized on a granite stone. Since, the stone is most suitable for any headstone, one can leave out the worry of the stone eroding away after years. It can sustain in all weathers and temperatures.
• 8. Cremation memorials :These ones more like the upright and slant memorials which can be placed like an open book on the burial of a person. These can also be personalized on a granite stone. Since, the stone is most suitable for any headstone, one can leave out the worry of the stone eroding away after years. It can sustain in all weathers and temperatures.

Colours of Granite

Most of the headstone manufacturing companies prefer using granite while making memorials. The stone is made up of an amalgamation of components such as minerals and rocks that occur naturally. These are in different shapes and sizes and each one has different texture. It is the work of the stone manufacturers to refine the product and make it into the one that is readily available in the market. The type of colour available in granite varies from region to region like Asia, Europe and America. Listed below are some of the most common colours of granite available across the globe:

• - Absolute black
• - Barre gray
• - Premium red
• - Blue pearl
• - Mountain rose
• - Coral rose
• - Mahogany
• - Impala black
• - Coffee brown
• - Ebony mist
• - Erin green
• - Aurora red

Take a look at some notable headstone companies in different parts of the world:

1. AK Lander :The company has been exclusively dealing in headstones and tombstones since 1866 with the help of craftsmen and specialists who have an expertise in designing tombstones like no other. The company based out of Basildon, England, has not only been making the regular headstones, but have also been supplying crematoria memorials and churchyard lawn memorials.

2. Straub Druck + Medien AG :This Germany based company is known for printing special customized motifs and inscribing them directly into the headstones. They maintain a standard when it comes to the quality of the headstones as they offer stones that are natural with all the fissures and groves and do not look artificial at all.

3. Stouliopoulos Bros Oe :They manufacture stones like granite, marble among other natural stones that are used in making headstones and memorials. This company is based out of Greece. The company was established in 1974.

4. Rome Monuments :Based out of Pennsylvania, U.S., the headstone manufacturing company deals in the highest quality monuments. It has been serving several generations based with headstones. It has served people from Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia. Michael Dioguardi founded the company. He was a stone craftsman from Italy who immigrated to Rochester in 1930 and started his own monument firm four years later.

5. Wardstone :Based in Ireland, this is a family owned business that has been dealing in headstones for years now. It provides tombstones to the people for several cities in various cities and countries such as Donegal, Derry, Sligo and Northern Ireland. They have been installing headstones for three generations now and with their experience have been able to create a lot of designs for the monuments. Here are some designs offered by them:

• - Inish cross headstone
• - Heart and bible memorial
• - Modern cross memorial
• - Double tulip headstone
• - Pitched side gravestone
• - Memorial 9
• - Single tulip headstone
• - OG top headstone LG
• - Celtic cross headstone
• - Memorial bocan
• - Headstone with angel
• - Headstone scroll with flowers
• - Headstone shell

6. Stone-Tec :They have been making stones for memorials and headstones and been serving people since 1979. It is one of the leading companies providing headstones to countries like U.S., U.K. and Europe. Their list of headstones include the likes of:

• - Gravestones
• - Book headstones
• - Angel headstones
• - Childrens headstones
• - Contemporary stones
• - Gates of heaven
• - Headstone scrolls
• - Irish headstones
• - Rustic headstones
• - Traditional headstones

Apart from this, they also have a wide variety of font to choose from for the words to be inscribed on to the monument.

7. Milano monuments :Another one based in the U.S., this one is located in Cleveland, Ohio. The company was established in 1969 by Vincent Milano Sr. He started the business by working from a tiny store that had limited capabilities. At a point of time Vincent offered to the people that most other cemetery memorial companies had never offered to the. Not only did he customize memorials for their loved ones and offered them the best product, but also made a strong connect with his customers and has good friends. His company kept growing now his family’s third generation is serving the people with stunning headstones.

8. Xiamen Sky Stone Co. Ltd. :As the custom might have it, the country which has special Japanese gravestones with lanterns are produced by Xiamen. There is a variety of colours and designs that one can choose from to get one made for their loved ones. The company might take 10-15 days time to produce the gravestone, but will not compromise on the quality of the product. The company has been serving its clients for over 21 years by supplying them basalt and granite. They do not only produce headstones for graves, but also design and produce sculptures.

9. Eason stone :They excel in producing the Japanese style headstones and offer a high level of customization in the same. Some of the most popular headstone designs offered by them include the likes of Book headstone, cartoon headstone, cross headstone, heart headstone and angel headstone.

10. Norway granite and marble :Based in Norway, the company helps the people create memorials that last forever. They excel in customizing monuments, and offer a variety of the traditional monument designs to the clients to choose from. It has been serving the people of Norway for three generations now with customizable headstones. They can create a memorial for your loved ones in any design, shape, size and colour.

Headstones might be known with different names in different countries, but they serve the same purpose. Each country has a separate custom and type of memorial they place on the grave of their loved ones. The shape and size might vary, but the intention of the people is the same, to shower love and respect on their loved one and to create something attractive in their fond memories. There are several big headstone producers across the globe that offer their services worldwide and allow the people to customize the headstones according to their preferences. From choosing he stone, to selecting the colour of the stone and the shape and size, there is a lot of thinking and effort that goes into making a single headstone.

The most common stone used in making a headstone and a memorial is granite. While most people might think that marble is a cheap and does the same work as a granite tombstone. Well, there is a lot of difference when it comes to the quality and durability of the stones. While granite monuments will stay erect forever, there are elements in marble that might not hold it upright forever as the stone starts eroding away with time. Therefore, the stone you want to get inscribed for your loved one should be selected very carefully.

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