What To Put on a Headstone
What to Put on a Headstone
Choosing what to put on a headstone is one of the most significant decisions when creating a lasting memorial. This deeply personal choice requires careful consideration to ensure the inscription perfectly honours your loved one’s memory.
From traditional epitaphs to personal messages, the possibilities are extensive. Our expert memorial masons guide you through selecting appropriate wording, meaningful symbols, and complementary design elements that work harmoniously together. Whether you’re considering religious verses, favourite quotations, or personal tributes, we’ll help you create an inscription that captures cherished memories whilst adhering to cemetery regulations.
The Essential Information
Although not legally required, most churchyards and burial grounds will specify that every headstone must bear the full, legal name of the deceased. You could also incorporate their maiden name or a special nickname that holds significance or sentimental value. It’s also customary to feature the deceased’s birth date and date of their passing; this can be just the year or it could include the month and day as well.
The Top Line
Most headstones feature a top line that comes before the deceased’s name, the most popular phrase being ‘In loving memory of..’. However, other commonly used alternatives include:
Here lies
In remembrance of
Rest in peace
In memoriam
For double headstones or a headstone that memorialises multiple people, you may choose to use a short phrase that reflects this, such as:
Together again
Reunited once more
Forever side by side
United in eternity
The Epitaph
An epitaph is a few short, personal words that memorialise your loved one and capture the essence of who they were. Headstones also commonly acknowledge the deceased’s most important relationships, using phrases like:
Beloved mother
Much loved daughter
Cherished brother
Devoted husband
Friend to all
Some people may choose to opt for other comforting phrases that also convey how much the deceased is missed, such as:
A life well lived
Forever in our hearts
Always remembered with love
Until we meet again
May his/her memory be eternal
Quotes for headstones
Each headstone is deeply personal, and you don’t just have to stick to a short phrase for your loved one’s headstone. Some people may choose to craft a more distinctive tribute by incorporating a unique quote – perhaps their loved one’s favourite poem, song lyrics or even a quote they lived their life by.
Picking the right quotes or poems for headstones can be challenging, so here are a few commonly used ones to help offer some inspiration:
‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.’ Dr. Seuss
‘To the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure.’ J.K. Rowling
‘Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.’ Thomas Moore
‘For tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun.’ The Beatles
‘If there’s another world, he lives in bliss; if there’s not, he made the best of this.’ Robert Burns
Imagery for headstones
Of course, a headstone doesn’t need to just feature words; it can also incorporate imagery if you feel this reflects your loved one better than a quotation. Perhaps you’d like to include their favourite landmark, a family coat of arms or maybe even the crest of their much-loved football club – whatever you feel expresses their personality the best. Other popular headstone motifs include crosses, stars, angels, flowers, butterflies and more. Our talented stonemason will make your vision a reality.
Are there rules about what can be written on a headstone?
It’s important to bear in mind that a burial ground is supposed to be a respectful environment where you can remember your loved one in peace. Therefore, there should be no profanity or language that others might find offensive. A churchyard may also have more specific requirements and may only allow religious quotes or veto quotes or imagery from other faiths.
What you need to know before creating a headstone
Of course, all of the above information counts for nothing if your headstone is poorly designed and engraved in the first place. If you’re looking to create a lasting tribute for your loved one, it’s essential that you use a trusted stonemason like Artisan Memorials.
Our expert calligrapher has over 30 years and can judge spacing in a way that computers just can’t emulate, creating a design that flows seamlessly and meticulously incorporates every last detail you request. Every letter is then painstakingly cut into high-quality stone using V-carving techniques to guarantee precision and durability.
Artisan Memorials provide quality headstones and gravestones to customers in the following areas, Kent, Ashford, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, London, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead and Watford. Contact us for a free quick quote.
If you’d like an experienced eye to help you craft a unique headstone, get in touch with the team at Artisan Memorials today. Our compassionate experts will work closely with you to ensure your bespoke design appropriately honours your loved one – simply contact us to arrange a consultation.
We work all over the UK, offering the complete service, from design to installation
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