Tips for Choosing Headstone Inscriptions
Headstone inscriptions have been a tradition for centuries now. Thanks to laser etching technology, carvers no longer have to stick with the person’s name and dates of birth and death. Today’s inscriptions can be more in-depth, allowing the memorial to capture the essence of the deceased individual.
In-depth headstone inscriptions in Phillipsburg, NJ are both a blessing and a curse. They’re beautiful, but they’re also tricky for many family members to create. This post will cover a few tips to come up with the perfect epitaph for your loved one.
Take your time
Our first piece of advice is to take your time—there’s no rush in writing a headstone inscription. In fact, rushing through the process can leave you with a less-than-perfect epitaph. Some headstone carvers recommend waiting up to a year before even thinking about the inscription.
Keep it simple
Unless the inscription is a poem, quote or religious verse, we recommend trying to keep it simple. Shorter epitaphs often leave a greater impact. The headstone’s overall appearance—including its material, size and shape—can be more important than the actual inscription.
Avoid copying other headstones
We know coming up with headstone inscriptions in Phillipsburg, NJ is tough, but don’t copy other headstones you see or go with a standard epitaph. Headstone inscriptions are meant to be unique, and no two individuals are alike. Consult other friends or family members before writing the epitaph to get some ideas.
It’s not just about the words
The words you choose are obviously important, but you also need to think about the font and letter size. The stone’s shape will also affect how your inscription will turn out, so don’t race through that decision, either.
In addition to an inscription, consider adding a laser-etched photo of your loved one to the stone. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. A photo will also make the headstone stand out among all the others in the cemetery.
Epitaph location
Headstone epitaphs in Phillipsburg, NJ don’t just have to be on the front of the marker. You can get creative about its placement, having it etched around the sides or including lettering on both sides of the stone. Your headstone carver will work with you to determine the perfect placement for the inscription.
Consider the material
We already mentioned how the memorial’s shape can affect the inscription’s appearance, but so does the type of stone. For example, limestone markers require large, bold lettering. This means you’ll need to have a shorter inscription or a very large headstone.
Hire a quality stone carver
Choosing a reputable headstone lettering company is just as important as all of the other items mentioned above. Hiring a shoddy company for headstone epitaphs in Phillipsburg, NJ typically leads to poor results. With over 80 years of experience, family members know to turn to Phillipsburg Memorial Company for lasering or etching their monuments. Give us a call today to learn more about all of your options for commemorating the life of your loved one.
Categorised in: Headstone