July 8, 2021
Writing inscriptions on tombstones has been a tradition for centuries now, and thanks to the latest technologies, carvers no longer are limited to the deceased person’s name, and dates. Rather, they can now write more in-depth inscriptions that allow the memorial to reflect the essence of the person’s personality, traits, and heritage.
Choosing a suitable inscription can be tricky as there are many choices for headstone inscriptions out there. There can be two or three words up to a lengthy paragraph or anywhere in between. Furthermore, there are usually 3-4 lines of lettering starting with something like “In Loving Memory Of” or “Lovingly Remembered” followed by the names, dates, and the epitaph.
Here are some important tips to help you choose the perfect inscription for your loved one’s memorial.
Our first piece of advice is to take your time. The monument and the inscription written on it are going to stay there forever. Therefore, it’s important not to rush into writing a headstone inscription that you might regret later. It’s better to take your time and be happy with the outcome rather than rush and settle for something you are not completely satisfied with.
So, take your time to think about the right words, the font, and the style, and once you’re done, don’t forget to double-check the spelling and dates.
It’s easy to get carried away and have everyone in your circle give their input about what should be written on your loved one’s grave marker. This can create a lot of confusion, and you may end up with an inscription you’re not 100% satisfied with.
You can never go wrong by keeping it short, sweet, and simple. Therefore, unless the epitaph is a poem, quote, or any religious verse or saying, we recommend keeping it simple. Moreover, the longer your inscription is, the smaller the font size will be on the monument, making it more difficult to read.
When writing epitaphs, try to sum up the points in short and direct sentences. For instance, instead of writing “Loving and devoted husband of Paul and John, Collin, Rachel…,” write something simple as “He was a well respected and loving man.”
Here are some great ways to begin your epitaph:
Taking inspiration from other people’s gravestones can help you develop an amazing epitaph for your loved one. See how other families have chosen to memorialize their family members that have passed away. The chances are that you will find many good examples that you can use in your inscription.
Lastly, think about how the inscription will sound a few years from now. For example, will you still treasure the inscription five years down the road? Will it rekindle fond memories of your loved one?
Go with what your heart tells you. Those will be the words you will treasure when you revisit this person’s grave in the cemetery.
These are a few of the essential tips that can help you develop the perfect inscription for your loved one’s headstone. At Summit Memorials, we provide our customers with premium quality and well-crafted monuments, headstones, tombstones, and grave markers. For more information about our services, visit our website or contact us here today.
