Choosing the Right Headstone for Your Loved One

Choosing the Right Headstone for Your Loved One

Choosing a headstone for someone you love is one of the most meaningful decisions you can make. While considering the memorial, it is important to select one that reflects their life, personality, and legacy. With countless options available, the selection process can feel overwhelming. However, at Emerson Monument Company, our team is here to gently guide you through all the decisions you need to make. In this post, we will explore the key factors to consider when choosing the right headstone. Together, we will create a beautiful and meaningful memorial that celebrates a life well lived. 

What Does the Cemetery Allow?

It is essential to understand the cemetery's rules and regulations prior to purchasing your memorial. While not every cemetery has a written set of regulations, many of our local cemeteries do. These regulations may vary regarding the style, material, and placement of headstones. By reviewing cemetery regulations early in the selection process, families can ensure their chosen headstone meets all requirements and makes the memorialization process smoother. 

How Many People Will the Memorial Honor?

The very first decision you will need to make is determining how many people the headstone will memorialize. Whether the monument is intended to honor one individual, a couple, or multiple family members significantly affects its size, design, and layout.

What Style Do You Have in Mind? 

Headstones are available in a variety of styles to help reflect the life and legacy of your loved one. 

  • Upright Monuments remain the most traditional and recognizable choice. They offer ample space for biographical information and personalization. They are easy to see and view in the cemetery and offer options for ongoing decorations. Emerson Monument Company Onyx Storm Upright Granite Cemetery Headstone Memorial with Bronze Cross and Shell Rock Border
  • Bench Memorials are among the most versatile and unique memorial options available. They provide a peaceful place for family and friends to sit, reflect and remember their loved one while visiting the cemetery. daniels bench.jpg
  • Upright Monument And Bench Combo Memorials combine the height of an upright memorial and the versatility of a bench memorial. red bell bench.JPG
  • Slant Memorials are a cross between upright monuments and markers. Sitting lower to the ground, they provide an angled face to allow for the easy viewing of biographical information. Emerson Monument Company Gray Granite Slant Memorial in the cemetery
  • Bevel Markers sit on top of the ground and provide a slight angle to allow for viewing of biographical information. They typically stand 6" tall in the back and 4" tall in the front.
  • Flat Markers sit flush with the grade of the ground and are more difficult to view in the cemetery. They are typically chosen when the cemetery requires the marker to be flat, or when the marker is being placed at the foot of an existing grave.  Emerson Monument Company graphic showing that a flat marker is installed with the grade of the ground and a bevel marker is installed above the grade of the ground.

What Engraving Style Will be Used? 

Choosing the right engraving style is an important part of designing a meaningful and lasting memorial. The engraving not only displays your loved one's name and dates but also helps tell their unique story through carefully selected lettering, symbols, artwork, and personal inscriptions. The three most commonly utilized styles include: V-sunk sandblasting, skinned-in sandblasting, and etching. The engraving style will depend heavily on the granite color you choose. The goal with the engraving style should always be permanent memorialization. The wrong choice can result in a monument that is difficult to read just a year or so later. The monument pictured below was NOT made at Emerson Monument Company.   
Example of poor engraving that is not visible on this gray granite headstone in the cemetery

What Monument Company Will You Work With?

Choosing to work with a monument professional who cares about you, your loved one, and the quality of the memorial they are making is crucial. There will be folks who are glad to sell you something cheap that looks like the above. But that is simply not how we do things at Emerson Monument Company. Since 1914 we have been committed to providing families with beautiful memorials that are truly built to stand the test of time. 

At Emerson Monument Company, we are honored to help families create meaningful memorials that celebrate a life well lived. If you're searching for a quality headstone in Springdale, Huntsville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, or anywhere in Northwest Arkansas, Northeast Oklahoma, or Southwest Missouri, contact our team today to learn how we can help you design a lasting tribute for your loved one.
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