Full Editorial
Designing a headstone that honors your loved one is one of the final loving acts that you can perform for them. However, this task can feel overwhelming. How do you convey all the emotion that you feel and everything that was important about this person with a single headstone? Of course, you can’t, but you can still create a headstone that reflects and honors the person that you loved. Use the information below to design a one-of-a-kind headstone that remembers your loved one.
Who Were They?
What are the first things that come to mind when you think of the person? Maybe they were an artist or loved animals or golfed avidly or loved to fly planes. Think about their character as well. Did they have a strong, powerful presence? Were they more quiet and sensitive? Considering these questions can help you make decisions about everything from the shape of the headstone to the font, type of stone used, and more. If the person was particularly religious, you may want to consider how you could incorporate a symbol of their religion on the headstone.
Integrating Your Wishes
The headstone is for your loved one, but it’s also for you, a place you may want to return to for moments of quiet reflection. Think about what you would find to be a comfort as well. However, be sure that you don’t override what your loved one would have wanted. For example, if they were a modest person, an ostentatious headstone might not be the best way of remembering them.
Consult Others
You might also want to talk to other family members and friends of your loved one about their preferences. They might have insights you had not considered and may be able to make helpful suggestions. Keep in mind as well that the headstone may be as important to them as it is to you.
Choosing the Words
First, get your facts straight. Double-check to make sure you have the right date of birth and death. Then consider what you’d like to add, if anything, besides the person’s name and dates. Is there a phrase that was particularly meaningful to them or that describes them well? Maybe they were especially devoted to their family, in which case you might want to add something like “Loving father and husband.” Ask yourself what you’d like future generations to know about this person.
Selecting a Design
When it comes to actually selecting the design, there are a few things to consider: shape, font, color, type of stone, and whether you want any illustrations or other design flourishes. For example, if the person was an avid gardener, you might want a rose on it. Consider what different shapes and fonts convey about the person. For a dancer, you might want a more flowing design than what you’d choose for an engineer.
Choosing a headstone for a loved one is a challenging task. It’s also one that can come with a strong sense of responsibility. With some careful thought, you can design a headstone that reflects some of the most important aspects of your loved one.
