Choosing A Monument To Mark Your Gravesite For The Years To Come

Posted on: 8 February 2023

The monument that you choose for your gravesite will stand as a memorial of the time you spent on earth for many years to come. Therefore, when you are making plans for what you want during advanced planning at a funeral home, picking a monument can be an important endeavor. Because this is a process that most people will only ever do once or twice in their lives for either themselves or a loved one, you may not know a lot about how to pick the best grave monument. Take a look at a few important things to consider along the way. 

Do You Prefer a Raised or Flat Structure? 

One of the biggest things to consider about your monument is whether you want one made to stand vertically and erect or one that lies flat on the ground. Keep in mind, some cemeteries actually have requirements and guidelines that have to be followed when it comes to which monument types of allowed. However, if your chosen cemetery does not, you have the will to choose what you prefer. Both types have their advantages. for example, a vertical stone is easier to see from a distance while a flat stone is easier to read when standing over a grave site. 

What Text Will Be Included on the Monument?

Knowing what you want your monument to say can help you decide which monument will look best and be sizable enough to accommodate the text. While the full name, birth date, and death date are all naturally going to be inscribed, you may want other sentiments or statements as well. For example, some people opt to add a favorite quote, verse, or favorite saying to their monuments. 

Do You Want Additional Decorative Embellishments?

Grave monuments can be embellished with several decorative features, such as: 

  • An acrylic-coated photograph 
  • Planters to hold flowers 
  • Laser-etched graphics or symbols 

Consider what additional embellishments you want on your stone, and make sure you pick a monument that makes those objectives possible. 

What Material Should the Monument Be Made From?

Grave monuments can be made out of different types of natural stone like granite, sandstone, or marble. However, they can also be manufactured from concrete or cement, bronze, marble, and other materials. Some of these materials weather best over the years than others, but they can also be different colors and provide unique end monuments that have their own aesthetic appeal. Consider what you like the best and what would best reflect your personality or design preferences. 

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