Headstones

A memorial headstone is a grave marker set up at the head of a grave, often bearing details of the person who has died. Also known as a tombstone, gravestone or memorial stone, this type of memorial usually shows the person's name, date of birth and date of death, as well as other inscriptions or poems.

There's a fair bit to weigh up, from the cemetery's own rules to the material, shape, finish and what you'd like inscribed. The sections below cover each in turn, and your local funeral director can talk you through the options.

You may be restricted on the type of memorial stone available depending on the location. Cemeteries often have restrictions or preferences about headstone designs and materials. If you want to find out more about your chosen cemetery's regulations, your local funeral director can advise you.

Marble, limestone, granite and bronze headstones are common choices. When choosing the material, consider how easy it is to maintain and the overall finish you'd like it to have.

• Granite: a durable material that can withstand the test of time and harsh weather conditions. If you choose a granite headstone design, you aren't limited to grey and white in the design. Ask your local funeral director which colours are available.
• Bronze: this material will darken over time and can be more costly than granite, but is a good choice for grave memorials because it's easy to maintain.
• Marble: a strong material with a luxurious and pleasing appearance, but not as hard-wearing as granite.
• Limestone: a durable, lightly coloured material. Portland Stone and Nabresina are popular choices.

Once you've decided what material you'd like, you'll need to think about the design of the headstone. Your funeral director will be able to talk you through the options, which will include the following:

• Upright headstones: a traditional choice, this type of memorial stone can be made in a variety of sizes and finishes and is fixed to the ground with a concrete base.
• Flat headstones: sometimes known as flat grave markers, this type of gravestone is laid flush or slanted on the ground.
• Kerbed headstones: these are laid full length on the ground, are a minimum of four inches thick, and offer more room for floral tributes.

You can then think about what finish you'd like the headstone to have. There are a few options:

• Polished: gives a smooth, shiny, glass-like appearance. Polished headstones need more maintenance to keep clean.
• Part polished: you can choose to have the face of the headstone as a glossy finish, and the rest of the headstone unpolished.
• Honed: non-reflective, this design is made by removing the polish using dust, and it's often used if the headstone will have colours on it.
• Pitched: the most rustic of all the finishes, a pitched finish gives the stone a textured surface with jagged edges, so it's easier to place into older surroundings.

Next, you'll need to think about which headstone design and shape you'd prefer. It's completely up to you which shape you choose, and there are lots of options:

• Peon top
• Offset peon top
• Oval or arch
• Oval with shoulders
• Square top with rounded shoulders
• Round top with rounded shoulders

You may be able to add text and visuals to the headstone design. Ask your funeral director what your limitations are, depending on the size and shape of the one you choose. For example, if your loved one was musical, you might like an engraving of the instrument they played. It’s completely up to you whether you add an image or not.

When it comes to adding text, you’ll need to choose the style of font for the message and what it will actually say. Your local funeral director will be able to provide advice and guidance on gravestone designs, should you need it.

Read our guide on what to put on a headstone.