An actual tombstone is a huge, flat slab of stone that is laid over a grave to keep wild animals away from the dead. Nowadays, the phrase refers to the same thing as tombstone or headstone, which is a burial marker, which is sometimes ornate and carries the deceased’s name, birth date, and death date. Other inscriptions paying honor to the departed may also be found on the stone.
Different Types Of Headstones
In contrast to upright headstones, lawn-level, flat, or flush markers are placed flat on the ground, while upright headstones have a vertical tablet set on a horizontal foundation. Beveled markers are identical in design to standard markers, however, they are elevated several inches from the ground.
Gothic tablet stones are characterized by their artistic curves and angles, as well as the possibility of a domed top. The obelisk is a kind of monument that originated in Egypt and is generally a tall column that is erected on a square plinth with four sides.
History Of Headstones
Approximately 20,000 to 75,000 years ago, archaeologists think that Neanderthal man was the first person to cover graves with massive mounds of boulders or rocks, resulting in the creation of the earliest headstones. Symbols engraved on headstones during the colonial era were representative of the religious belief system of the locality at the time of the carving.
During the Victorian period, cast iron and wood were the most often used materials for this application. French colonists established the world’s first garden cemetery in 1804 and embellished its monuments with magnificent funeral art.
Slate was the most common stone for the early headstones, in part because it was soft and easy to cut, and in part, because it was inexpensive. The porous nature of the material, on the other hand, leads it to collapse over time, which is a disadvantage. Marble ultimately supplanted slate as the preferred building material, despite the fact that it, too, may degrade with time, particularly in moist environments. This erosion has a tendency to obscure the writing, making it difficult to decipher the message.
Granite became the most popular choice in the mid-1800s, and it is currently the material of choice for the majority of headstones since it is easily accessible. Quarries provide massive blocks of granite to manufacturers, who then cut them into smaller pieces.
Cleanse, polish, and shape the stone in order to make aesthetically appealing headstones that can resist the worst weather conditions. Granite is available in a variety of hues, including red, black, green, blue, pink, and gray. Red granite is the most common color. Bronze, which is commonly put on a granite foundation, is another long-lasting material that can withstand the environment well.
By the late 1700s, epitaphs written on gravestones had become commonplace. Many grave monuments contain lengthier inscriptions that provide more than just biographical information about the dead. Religious texts, memorials to loved ones who have died, and messages to the living are all possible uses for the words etched on a tombstone or monument.
Every aspect of our monuments is tailored to meet the specific requirements of our clientele. A vast choice of headstones and monuments, ranging from basic to custom-designed, are available from Lodge Bros, all of which are constructed to the greatest possible standards of craftsmanship.
