How long does it take to get a headstone made?

Typically, it takes at least three or four weeks for the installer to completely create the headstone or grave marker and to place it upon the top of the grave. In some instances, the ground will need to settle before placing the headstone, depending on the climate, the time of year, and the weather.

Why does it take so long to make a gravestone?

Most bespoke headstones take much longer to make, as the stone needs to be ordered individually and the whole process usually takes at least six months, and often much longer. The headstone is going to be in position for a very long time and your family needs to be more than satisfied with the end result.

What were gravestones made of in the 1800s?

Gravestone Monuments Over the Years In the late 1700 and early 1800s, monuments were made of sandstone and slate, often carved with a winged death’s head. These engravings represented the fear of death and afterlife. During the Victorian era (1837-1901), there was a change of attitude towards dying.

Are bodies buried in front or behind the headstone?

Although headstones today are generally placed at the head of the grave because of tradition, there are no specific restrictions that require a marker to be placed specifically at the head or at the foot of a grave.

What is a grave without a body called?

Cenotaph – a grave where the body is not present; a memorial erected as over a grave, but at a place where the body has not been interred. A cenotaph may look exactly like any other grave in terms of marker and inscription.

How long after a burial can you put a headstone?

While there is no one specific rule around how long you need to wait before you can put a headstone on a burial grave, as a guideline figure it is recommended that you wait for at least six months, if not longer.

What headstones last the longest?

A flat quartzite headstone, with laser engraving, is the longest-lasting headstone. It can last centuries if the weather is the only factor in degradation. Quartzite is a very hard material that can withstand almost all climates & the laser-etched engraving will last as long as the headstone does.

How deep are headstones buried?

The idea that graves should always be 6 feet deep has been around for a long time. There is no agreement about where this idea came from. Here are a few theories about why people may have decided to bury their dead 6 feet deep.

Is it disrespectful to walk on a grave?

Touching monuments or headstones is extremely disrespectful and in some cases, may cause damage. For example, some older memorials might be in disrepair and could fall apart under the slightest touch. Be sure to walk in between the headstones, and don’t stand on top of a burial place. Be respectful of other mourners.

What is the oldest gravestone in the world?

The oldest existing carved gravestone belongs to Captain Jonathan Alden who died in 1697. The cemetery was abandoned in 1789 and reclaimed in 1887 by the Duxbury Rural Society. They set out to find Myles Standish’s grave, which was unmarked and eventually found it and built a memorial over his gravesite.

Can a husband and wife be buried in the same casket?

Two people (typically a husband and wife) pre-purchase a cemetery space together, and their caskets are placed on top of one another when they pass. The couple then shares a single marker that features both names. Cemeteries can accommodate a single in-ground burial of a cremation urn and a casket in the same plot.