Headstone

Headstones

What is a Headstone

Originally, a headstone was the stone lid of a stone coffin, or the coffin itself, and a headstone was the stone slab that was laid over a grave. Today a headstone is usually a large upright piece of sculpted stone containing the inscription of the persons name, date of birth and death. Now the term headstone is also used for markers and monuments placed at the head of the grave.

History of the Headstone

The earliest headstones were made from natural fieldstone, some were unmarked and others decorated or incised using a metal awl. Sandstone is durable yet soft enough to carve easily. Some sandstone markers are so well preserved that individual chisel marks can be discerned in the carving, while others have delaminated and crumbled into dust. In the 1600s sandstone replaced fieldstone in Colonial America. Graves in the 1700s contained footstones to demarcate the foot end of the grave. Footstones were rarely carved with more than the deceased's initials and year of death, and many cemeteries and churchyards have removed them to make cutting the grass easier. Note however that in many UK cemeteries the principal, and indeed only, marker is placed at the foot of the grave.

Graves and any related memorials are a focus for mourning and remembrance. The names of relatives are often added to a headstone over the years, so that one marker may chronicle the passing of an entire family spread over decades. Since headstones and a plot in a cemetery or churchyard cost money, they are also a symbol of wealth or prominence in a community. Some headstones were even commissioned and erected to their own memory by people who were still living, as a testament to their wealth and status. In a Christian context, the very wealthy often erected elaborate memorials within churches rather than having simply external headstones.

Headstones may be simple upright slabs with semicircular, rounded, gabled, pointed-arched, pedimental, square or other shaped tops. During the 18th century, they were often decorated with memento mori (symbolic reminders of death) such as skulls or winged skulls, winged cherub heads, heavenly crowns, urns or the picks and shovels of the grave digger. Somewhat unusual were more elaborate allegorical figures, such as Old Father Time, or emblems of trade or status, or even some event from the life of the deceased (particularly how they died). Later in the same century, large tomb chests or smaller coped chests were commonly used by the gentry as a means of commemorating a number of members of the same family. In the 19th century, headstone styles became very diverse, ranging from plain to highly decorated. They might be replaced by more elaborately carved markers, such as crosses or angels. Simple curb surrounds, sometimes filled with glass chips, were popular during the mid-20th century.

Todays Headstone Construction

The Construction of a headstone has not changed significantly over the years. In years past, a permanent headstone was usually constructed from fieldstone, sandstone, marble, granite or bronze. Today a gravestone is primarily constructed from granite or bronze, and occasionally marble (marble is less popular because of the cost). Large monument headstones are used today to mark a family of graves, and individual graves are memorialized with a smaller headstone marker. Headstone markers are constructed from granite or a combination of granite and bronze. These headstone markers typically preserve the memory of one person, or a husband and wife, and they work in concert with the larger upright headstone monument. The use of large headstones and headstone markers together create a beautiful memorial for an entire family.

Give a Gift Certificate for a Headstone

A good way to show your consideration and love is by the giving of a Gift Certificate for the purchase of a headstone. You may purchase a Gift Certificate from Clear Stream Monuments by clicking on the "Gift Certificate" link at the top of the page. There is no better way so express your love to a grieving family member than by sending a gift certificate for a beautiful headstone.

Preplanning a Headstone

A headstone is often designed and purchased well in advance of a persons death. This allows the person to choose the style of their own headstone, or to design a custom headstone, and too alleviate stress on the family at the time of their death. This is an expression of love to your family, a gift to the living.

Clear Stream Monuments can assist you with preplanning your headstone. We have a full line of headstones to commemorate yourself or a loved one. We have a large selection of headstones and headstone markers to choose from, or we can assist you with creating a custom headstone memorial.

All of our headstones come with a warranty that gives you the assurance of quality craftsmanship that will last for many years to come. If you need assistance in creating a headstone, please feel free to call us at 888-578-1119 or email us at service@clearstreammonuments.com. Call us today with any headstone or headstone marker questions.

Customer Service

Contact us
Refund/Cancellation Returns Policy
Warranty
Terms and Conditions

Help & FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping Questions
Payment Options
Privacy Policy

Articles on Grief

Coping with Reminders After a Loss
A Mayo Clinic Doctor Confronts Painful Emotions
Grief Recovery Support Groups

Links

Gravestone
Headstones
Memorial
Monuments