Headstone Wording & Inscriptions

Understanding the different terminology is important when it comes to headstones and what to write on them. Here
are some common terms associated with headstone inscriptions that you may encounter when getting a headstone or
monument.

• Burial Monuments: These are structures that mark graves. These could be raised headstones,
  flat stone slabs, or statues. They can be as elaborate or simple as you decide, as long as they honour the
  memory of the deceased person.
• Headstones: These are structures that mark graves. These could be raised headstones,
  flat stone slabs, or statues. They can be as elaborate or simple as you decide, as long as they honour the
  memory of the deceased person.
• Inscription: These are the words engraved on headstones or tablets on statues. Loved ones of
  a deceased person can have additional inscriptions engraved on a headstone or monument. Some people might want
  to add inscriptions to add more dedications, for example.

Traditionally, a person’s gravestone includes:

• Name: Full names are necessary for headstones. Generally, a headstone must feature the full
  name that the deceased went by until their time of death. As such, it may be different from their assigned name
  at birth. Similarly, it could include the deceased’s maiden name if that makes them more recognizable to loved
  ones.
• Dates: Birth and death dates typically appear in any headstone or dedication. You might
  notice some headstones featuring only the deceased’s birth and death years. It depends on how you intend to
  honour your loved one.
• Epitaph: Short messages can accompany the deceased’s name and dates. Epitaphs can be a final
  dedication from the deceased’s surviving loved ones. “Forever Loved” and “Forever in our hearts” are common
  epitaphs. It could also be a quote or lyrics that meant something dear to the deceased.

Inscriptions are important for any memorial, whether it is a headstone or large monument. These words serve as
final messages that celebrate the deceased’s life. It mostly benefits the loved ones who visit the gravesite. As
such, it is up to you to select the best words that reflect your lost loved one.

Choosing inscriptions can be difficult. After all, you are setting the words in stone, so you naturally would
want to get them right the first time. When you’re choosing one, it’s important to remember that you can take all
the time you need. Consider speaking with professional stonemasons for suggestions.

Typically, the most difficult part of writing a headstone inscription is the epitaph. Thankfully, you can take
plenty of inspiration from what others commonly write on headstones:

• Quotes: If your loved one had a favorite quote or you feel there is one that embodies their
  life, then this can be a great choice.
• Bible Verses: If your loved one was religious, then much like the quotes, you can choose one
  that embodied their life or a verse that was their favourite. Alternatively, some choose Bible verses that
  showcase their loved one’s hope of life after death. This can also apply to other religious texts as well.
• Life Roles: Many epitaphs reference the life of the loved one and the role they played in the
  lives of others. For example, an epitaph could mention that a loved one was a soldier, a friend, a father, and a
  husband. These roles can be either symbolic or literal, depending on the family’s preferences.
• Classic Epitaphs: Alternatively, you could choose to go with a classic epitaph, such as “Rest
  in Peace” or “In Loving Memory.” These epitaphs are great at getting a message across without being overly
  wordy. They are simple, concise, and effective.

Choosing a font for your loved one’s headstone requires some thought. There are some fonts that need deep cuts
because of how they look. Other fonts may be more suitable for longer names. It all depends on the headstone size
and your intentions. Headstones tend to feature at least one of the following font categories:

• Serif Fonts: Notice how some lettering styles include decorative lines at the corners of the
  letters? These small decorations are known as serifs. Headstones tend to feature them since they are readable
  with a stylistic element to them. Times New Roman is a popular go-to font for headstones.
• Sans Serif Fonts: “Sans serif” means “without serifs.” So, fonts in this category do not have
  the decorative lines branching out of a letter’s basic form. Some people may find the lines distracting, thus
  would opt for the standard letter shape. These typefaces are just as easy to read as their serif counterparts.
• Gothic Fonts: These fancy letter designs are also known as Old English fonts. Gothic fonts
  are elaborate, combining thin and broad strokes to achieve a dramatic effect. These fonts can also have serifs
  that swirl around the letter’s basic form, serving as the headstone’s highlight.
• Script Fonts: Fonts in this category resemble calligraphy. You may opt for a script font to
  give your loved
  one’s headstone a touch of personality. These handwritten fonts may suit the epitaphs you want inscribed on the
  headstone. However, keep in mind that they may hinder readability.

Engraving refers to how the stonemason carves the letters onto the headstone. You have a handful of engraving
styles to choose from for your headstone inscriptions. Certain engraving styles work better for specific stones
than others. Similarly, some engraving styles may be easier to maintain than others. Stonemasons typically offer
the following headstone engraving designs:

• Standard Engraving: Stonemasons achieve lettering in this style by cutting into the
  headstone directly.
• V-Cut Engraving: Also known as hand engraving, stonemasons take standard engraving practices
  further with this style. They use a hammer and chisel to give the carved letters a deep v-cut.
• Raised Engraving: Also known as embossed engraving, stonemasons sandblast the area around the
  letters. This makes the engraving raised, giving it a 3-D effect.

Stonemasons have unique rates that they base on specific factors, which normally include:

• Number of Letters: How many letters are involved in the final piece? More words mean the
  stonemason will carve more letters, making the final headstone more expensive. You could also pay extra if you
  decide to have the letters filled with color. Enamel paint will be more affordable than gold leaf, but gold
  leaf lasts longer against the elements.
• Extra Symbols and Photos: You can speak with a stonemason to include religious symbols or
  engrave photos of the deceased on the tombstone. These special characters and add-ons will likely cost more
  than the rate for the regular alphabet.
• Lines: How many lines will there be on the stone? Much like adding more letters, more lines
  will be more expensive.

Overall, the complexity of your headstone inscription will determine your expenses.