Types of Grave Markers

Grave markers are an integral part of a cemetery. Various styles are available, but some are more common than others. Mentioned below are common styles of grave markers.

Headstones: These are usually made of granite, marble, fieldstone or cement, and are placed at the head of the grave.

Footstones: Footstone markers are placed at the foot of the grave.

Lawn Markers: This type of marker is mounted flush with the ground. It is usually a bronze plate bolted onto a stone. Carved marble or granite block is used in this type of arrangement.

Niche Markers: These are small granite, marble or bronze plaques mounted on a wall in mausoleums.

Companion Markers: Companion markers contain the names of two or more people.

Temporary Grave Markers: Before a permanent tombstone is installed, temporary grave markers are used to mark the plot after burial. Traditionally, it consists of a typed or handwritten card containing the name, birth and death date of the deceased.

Grave Markers

What are the common styles of grave markers?

Some common styles of grave markers are:

·         Headstones

·         Footstones

·         Lawn Markers

·         Niche Markers

·         Companion Markers

·         Temporary Grave Markers

What are some popular headstone symbols?

Here are some popular headstone symbols along with their meanings:

Star: A star represents immortality and divine guidance. There are two types of stars used in a headstone: a five-pointed star and a six-pointed star. A five-pointed star symbolizes the star of Bethlehem and a six-pointed star symbolizes the power of God’s creation.

Cross: A cross is a symbol of the departed person’s religious faith. It also signifies resurrection. A cross symbol found in a military cemetery symbolizes trials, victory, and reward.

Angel: The symbol of an angel inscribed on a headstone symbolizes spirituality. An angel is said to guard the tomb, and is thought to be a messenger between God and man.

Poppy flower: A poppy is a popular headstone symbol. It symbolizes death, eternal sleep and peace.

Rose: A rose symbolizes love, hope, and victory. It also stands for purity of soul.

Bird: A bird is regarded as the departed person’s soul.  A bird symbol on a headstone denotes that the departed person’s life and spirit are eternal. A bird also symbolizes peace.

Anchor: The inscription of an anchor on a headstone generally means that the deceased was a lover of the sea or was in the navy. In spiritual terms, it symbolizes hope, steadfastness and eternal life.

Heart: A heart on a headstone means love and devotion for the departed soul. Two hearts engraved on one monument specifically signifies a happy marriage.

Different Headstone Symbols

When it comes to choosing symbols for a headstone, it is important that you know the meaning behind the symbol you are choosing. Many people think that headstone symbols are chosen randomly, but this is not true. Each symbol has a very specific significance in relation to the deceased. Here are some popular headstone symbols along with their meanings:

Star: A star represents immortality and divine guidance. There are two types of stars used in a headstone: a five-pointed star and a six-pointed star. A five-pointed star symbolizes the star of Bethlehem, and a six-pointed star symbolizes the power of God’s creation.

Cross: A cross is a symbol of the departed person’s religious faith. It also signifies resurrection. A cross symbol found in a military cemetery symbolizes trials, victory, and reward.

Angel: The symbol of an angel inscribed on a headstone symbolizes spirituality. An angel is said to guard the tomb, and is thought to be a messenger between God and man.

Poppy flower: A poppy is a popular headstone symbol. It symbolizes death, eternal sleep and peace.

Rose: A rose symbolizes love, hope, and victory. It also stands for purity of soul.

Bird: A bird is regarded as the departed person’s soul. The bird symbol on a headstone denotes that the departed person’s life and spirit are eternal. A bird also symbolizes peace.

Anchor: The inscription of an anchor on a headstone generally means that the deceased was a lover of the sea or was in the navy. In spiritual terms, it symbolizes hope, steadfastness and eternal life.

Heart: A heart on a headstone means love and devotion for the departed soul. Two hearts engraved on one monument specifically signifies a happy marriage.

Book: A book can represent many different things, including the book of life, often represented as the Bible. It may also depict learning, a scholar, a prayer, memory, or someone who worked as a writer, book-seller, or publisher.

Sword: A sword on a headstone stands for protection. A sword is meant to guard the grave from any negative energies. 

Headstone Symbols

I was looking for a headstone for my uncle’s grave when I came to know of the various symbols used on headstones. I have now decided to inscribe a symbol on his headstone. What are some of the commonly used symbols?

There are many types of symbols which can be used on a headstone. However, each symbol has a very specific significance in relation to the deceased. Here are some popular headstone symbols along with their meanings:

Star: A star represents immortality and divine guidance. There are two types of stars used in a headstone: a five-pointed star and a six-pointed star. A five-pointed star symbolizes the star of Bethlehem, and a six-pointed star symbolizes the power of God’s creation.

Cross: A cross is a symbol of the departed person’s religious faith. It also signifies resurrection. A cross symbol found in a military cemetery symbolizes trials, victory, and reward.

Angel: The symbol of an angel inscribed on a headstone symbolizes spirituality. An angel is said to guard the tomb, and is thought to be a messenger between God and man.

Poppy flower: A poppy is a popular headstone symbol. It symbolizes death, eternal sleep and peace.

Rose: A rose symbolizes love, hope, and victory. It also stands for purity of soul.

Bird: A bird is regarded as the departed person’s soul. The bird symbol on a headstone denotes that the departed person’s life and spirit are eternal. A bird also symbolizes peace.

Anchor: The inscription of an anchor on a headstone generally means that the deceased was a lover of the sea or was in the navy. In spiritual terms, it symbolizes hope, steadfastness and eternal life.

Heart: A heart on a headstone means love and devotion for the departed soul. Two hearts engraved on one monument specifically signifies a happy marriage. 

What are the benefits of a mausoleum?

The following are some of its benefits:

·         One of the key benefits of a mausoleum is that it is cleaner and dryer than a traditional underground burial.

·         It is a good option for people who do not want to be cremated, or are apprehensive about being buried underground.

·         A mausoleum reduces the amount of land that is used for a burial..Therefore, it is more ecologically friendly than an underground burial.

·         Unlike traditional graves in a cemetery, people can visit a mausoleum at any time of the year as the crypts are protected from inclement weather.

One of the biggest benefits is that there is an option to purchase a family mausoleum where all the members of the family can be entombed together, making the option of entombment cost-effective.  

Mausoleum: The Benefits

A mausoleum is an external, free-standing building which is constructed as a monument enclosing the burial chamber of a deceased person or people. Here are some of the benefits of constructing a mausoleum:

·             One of the key benefits of a mausoleum is that it is cleaner and dryer than a traditional underground burial.

·             It is a good option for people who do not want to be cremated, or are apprehensive about being buried underground.

·             A mausoleum reduces the amount of land that is used for a burial. Therefore, it is more ecologically friendly than an underground burial.

·             Unlike traditional graves in a cemetery, people can visit a mausoleum at any time of the year as the crypts are protected from inclement weather.

·             Some mausoleums have background music and convenient benches so that visitors can sit and reflect comfortably in a peaceful environment.

·             One of the biggest benefits is that there is an option to purchase a family mausoleum where all the members of the family can be entombed together, making the option of entombment cost-effective.

·             During the winter, and in some rural areas where there is no appropriate equipment, burial may become difficult. There are no such issues in an above-ground mausoleum.