A Guide to Choosing the Right Headstone

A headstone is a permanent and visible way of memorializing a loved one, so it’s only natural to pick something that properly honors them. There are a lot of options out there with endless ways to customize the monuments. To help you navigate the selection process, the team at Hirons Memorial Works in Mount Orab, OH, explains how to go about selecting and designing a stone.

How to Choose a Headstone

1. Cemetery Rules
The most common rule you’ll find at a cemetery is a limitation on the stone’s dimensions. Some even only allow for flat markers with no upright stone allowed.

2. Choose a granite color

Granite comes in a variety of colors. The general trend is the darker colors are more expensive than lighter colors like grey. There are simply more places in the world where grey granite can be quarried than other colors so competition lowers the price. The light red colors are in the middle price wise. Dark reds and black color granite can be the most expensive. Once you know your tombstone color start looking at the different shapes and decide if you prefer a polished finish or a more rustic look with a pitched finish. Once the stone is decided on the lettering and artwork can be customized to look like it belongs on that stone.

3. Customize

There are three major considerations with a custom engraving: the inscription, the font, and images. Most stones feature the deceased’s name, birth date, death date, and other relevant information you wish. This could include an epitaph such as poetry or quotes. Choose an easily readable font for the inscriptions, with a script or italic for epitaphs. If you would like to add an image, some common options include portrait images of your loved one, an image that means something to them such them with their favorite car, an image of their home, or symbols. Religious symbols such as crosses or stars are common, as well as symbols that recognize their accomplishments, organization membership, military service, or passions.

When you’re ready to start shopping, visit Hirons Memorial Works. They have the largest headstone selection in the area, and their skilled craftsman use cutting-edge tools to create a beautiful result in a custom engraving. They can guide you through selecting and designing a stone that will properly memorialize your loved one. Visit their website for more information on their headstones, and contact them at (888) 444-6356 for any questions about the company.