Selecting The Right Tombstone Grave Markers

By Isabella Moor


From the earliest of days, many cultures have used stones to signify a spot where a person was buried or entombed. This practice was the reason words like headstone, gravestone and tombstone came into being. Today, people put a lot of thought and planning into choosing the Burial Marker that will denote the final resting place of themselves or someone that they love.

Monuments such as these serve not only as place holders, but as a small testament to the individual that they memorialize. They feature a person's name and the dates of their birth and death, which in a way, immortalizes them for generations to come. Many folks personalize their testaments further by having an epitaph also inscribed upon the stone or into the metal.

Interment markers are available in hundreds of materials, designs and styles. They range from those that lay flush with the ground for easy maintenance to upright and statuesque to plaques that are placed on a wall. Sometimes they are very simple and understated, and other times they can be extremely elaborate.

Several factors can influence the look and design of the gravestone an individual may select. Personal preference is, of course, the most prominent decider since it is only natural to want to choose something that appeals to one's tastes or that suits the personality and style of the one for whom it is being purchased. Budget is yet another thing that usually comes into consideration.

It is important to decide where one is to be buried before making a final choice of headstone. This is because many cemeteries have started instituting rules regulating the details of what types of gravestones will be permitted, including dimensions, materials and features. A person should be familiar with the particular restrictions of their desired facility so that their monument will not be rejected at the time of installation.

Marble, slate, wood, sandstone, limestone and brass are just a few of the many materials used to create these monuments. While each has their attractive qualities, the most commonly used metal is bronze and the most popular type of stone is granite. This is primarily because these two substances are both fairly affordable, have a beauty that lasts over time and a durability that withstands harsh weather.

Deciding which type of burial marker is the best choice is not a decision most people make without a lot of contemplation. This is the monument that will stand as a permanent testament to the life of the individual whose grave it graces. Several factors, such as budget, regulations and personal tastes should all be taken into consideration before making a definitive selection.




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