memorials

Memorials, of course, need to be designed to last the ages, and the sturdy construction of headstones assures just that.

The design of permanent memorials has changed substantially over the years. For many years, permanent memorials were usually marked by headstones that were large, up-right pieces of sculpted stone and contained written information about the people whose graves they marked. While these types of memorials are still are used today, they now usually mark groups of graves (such as an entire family). Meanwhile, memorials for individuals typically consist of smaller, plaque-like headstones.  In most memorials today, these individual headstones are made of bronze, granite, or a combination of the two, and displayed directly on the ground at the head of a grave. These memorials typically preserve the memory of one individual or a couple and they work in tandem with the larger, up-right headstones to create beautiful memorials for entire families.

Aside from helping assure a place in history for just about every person alive, memorials can be great for helping families cope with the loss of a loved-one. By establishing permanent memorials, such as headstones, when loved-ones die; families can practice the sound advice that psychologists typically give to those going through the grieving process.  Memorials are important, experts say, even for people whose bodies have been cremated (a tradition whose popularity is increasing dramatically). No matter how the ashes are disbursed, cremated loved-ones are often given memorials, complete with headstones installed, in today's cemeteries.