Headstones serve as a memorial that your loved ones can visit for many years into the future. Designing a headstone while you are living takes the pressure off of your loved ones for end-of-life planning, and you’ll feel comfortable knowing that your wishes are met. As you begin the process of designing a headstone, you can use these ideas to make sure you truly feel honored by the memorial for you and your spouse.
Choose Meaningful Symbols
Many married couples prefer using a heart somewhere on the headstone. You can have a headstone carved into two hearts or one that merges both of your names on the front. Religious couples might like to put crosses and other meaningful symbols on the headstone. If you prefer something more unique, then feel free to imagine that the sky is the limit. From highlighting a couple’s penchant for fishing to incorporating your military service, there are many options available for carving symbols into a memorial stone.
Select Your Preferred Stone Color
Some people like the appearance of lighter granite, while others may prefer a deep, rust-colored tone for their headstone. Take some time to talk to your spouse about the overall effect that you want your headstone to have. Darker colors tend to stay cleaner longer, while lighter shades of granite provide a tranquil look that many people prefer. If you’re stuck on getting started with planning the headstone, then this is a good place to jumpstart your ideas.
Work With a Custom Headstone Designer
Although the traditional arched headstone is a perfectly fine option, you might like something a bit more unique for your final resting place. Headstone designers can create personalized styles that you won’t find on any other plot. From creating a headstone that mimics the architectural style of your home to adding benches and columns, you’ll find that a memorial artist may have ideas that you haven’t thought of yet. You can also work with a designer to create a headstone that fits in with the other members of your family if you have plots close together in a cemetery.
Include Your Special Personal Details
Most headstones include basic details such as the people’s names and important dates. But, you might enjoy adding a quote that is meaningful to you and your partner. Or, you might want to inscribe how many years you were married. Modern headstones can even include pictures and QR codes that lead people to websites containing a couple’s history to share. Even a simple inscription can serve as a feature on your headstone that makes your loved ones smile as they remember the life you lived.
Determining the type of headstone you want for you and your spouse’s final resting place should always be a comfortable process. As you share with each other the symbols and text you want on your headstone, remember to take time to reflect on your relationship. After all, it’s the unique features that make your partnership special that designers enjoy incorporating into headstones for future generations to see.
