How Are Headstones Made?

How Are Headstones Made?

January 9, 2021

Headstones mark the final resting place of a person who passes away and gives loved ones a memorial where they can pay their respects. A lot of people don’t know how headstones are made in Phillipsburg, NJ, and understanding the process of making headstones can make it easier for people to plan headstone designs with the right materials and carvings to represent the life of a person they love and miss. Keep reading to learn more about how headstones are made and how the process varies depending on the materials used.

Headstone production process

Historically, headstones were made out of stone and carved to include inscriptions and designs. Today, the process of making headstones has changed to reduce production time, improve the quality of engraving and offer more options for customization. So, how are headstones made in Phillipsburg, NJ? Here are the basic steps of the process:

  • Material selection: The first step in the headstone production process is material selection. Headstones can be made with a wide variety of different materials, including marble, granite, bronze or limestone. To make headstones, blocks are cut out from the selected stone to be shaped and cut into individual headstones. Cutting can be done with pneumatic drills, but water jet cutting is an increasingly popular option because it is highly efficient, effective and precise.
  • Polishing: Once the stone has been cut and shaped, it is polished to create a smooth, attractive surface. Stones are polished using machines with varying grit levels that smooth down the surface, followed by aluminum or tin oxide powder that gives the stones a shiny finish.
  • Shaping and finishing: Next, the stone is shaped and finished to achieve the precise shape and dimensions requested by the client. These finishing touches are often done by hand to ensure the end result meets the exact desired specifications.
  • Engraving: After shaping and finishing is completed, the headstone is engraved using a sandblasting process. First, glue is applied to the headstone, and then a rubber stencil is placed on the headstone followed by a carbon-backed layout of the design. Once the layout is transferred to the rubber stencil, the person carving the memorial cuts out the design layout to prepare it for sandblasting. Next, the person carving the memorial will use manual or automatic sandblasting equipment to engrave the design in the stone.
  • Cleaning: After sandblasting is completed, the stone is sprayed with pressurized steam to get rid of residue from sandblasting and carving. Once the stone has been cleaned, it’s ready to be delivered to the customer.

Quality memorials and headstones

If you have more questions and you’re wondering, “How are gravestones made?” reach out to Phillipsburg Memorial Company. We have been the premier local memorial company in Phillipsburg, NJ since 1939 and are committed to providing our clients with the best memorials, monuments and headstones. No matter what you’re looking for, our team has the expertise and skill necessary to make it a reality. Give us a call to find out more about our work and to arrange a consultation.

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