Choosing A Headstone? Consider These Tips
If you're being proactive about the fact that you'll one day pass away, you might have already started looking into the various items and services that take place after a person's death. You might already know that you want to be buried in a cemetery, so selecting a suitable headstone will be an essential task. However, in many cases it's not as easy as picking a pre-made slab. What else should you be thinking about?
Cemetery Regulations
Because you're already thinking of end of life issues, you have likely already selected the cemetery where you'd like your body to rest. You may have even decided upon a specific plot based on location and other factors. Now you're ready to pick out a headstone.
You might not even think the cemetery is relevant to that decision, however, the truth is that the cemetery you've selected has its own regulations and rules. They might not allow headstones bigger than a certain size, or they may permit only one type of headstone. For example, some cemeteries ask that people use only flat stones because it simplifies grass maintenance.
Color, Shape and Material
Of course, your wallet will dictate what you'll choose when you're deciding on a stone. However, the cost should be just one of the factors in mind, not necessarily the most important one. Prioritize color, shape and material – when you can – so that you can customize your stone to your own personality. You might spend a little more for a colored headstone, for instance, to make your stone stand out among the others.
Headstone Message
Perhaps the most important part of your headstone is the message or content that you include on the marker. The content you choose will provide a lasting impression of you, but more importantly, it is meant to reflect your individual spirit.
You might think of special jokes, scripture verses or other words which describe you. However, don't select something right away; try it out on relatives or friends and think it over for a while. Avoid having the message etched into the stone until you've had a few weeks to mull it over.
Another thing to think about when choosing a message, is to pay special attention to different fonts that you might use for letters. Some fonts are easier to see from a distance, while other fonts are smaller but allow more text on the stone. Ensure that you see samples of different fonts before deciding on one.
For more information about headstone monuments, contact your local mortuary or cemetery.