Gravestones are a treasured memorial to your loved one that mark their final resting place with dignity and respect. Choosing the gravestone involves many decisions, including the material to use and the words to engrave, but one of the most challenging considerations is how to list the deceased name. Listing the name is both emotionally fulfilling and practically difficult. This guide will look at how to properly list names on a headstone so the memory of your loved one can be honored and memorialized.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Inscriptions on Gravestones
Understand the Purpose of Listing Names
Common Forms of Listing Names
- Traditional Single Name Listings
- Family Gravestones
- Companion Gravestones
- Multiple Interment Listings
Order of Names on Gravestones
- Spouse Listings
- Parent(s) and Child Listings
- Sibling Listing
Titles and Suffixes
- Professional Titles
- Religious Titles and Honorifics
- Military Rank and Honors
Considerations with the Design of the Gravestone on Placement of Names
- Font and Readability
- Space Considerations
- Engraving Options
Accentuating Dates of Birth and Date of Death
- Lengths include full date and year
- Place dates around name
- Cultural considerations with dates
Other Considerations to Be Included on Gravestones
- Epitaphs and personal messaging
- Symbols and Religious icons
- Pictures or portraits
Legal and Cultural Considerations
- Religious obligations for the name list
- Local laws and cemetery regulations
- Cultural implications of name representation
Gravestone Materials that Impact Listing Names
- Granite, marble, and other common materials
- Maintenance and durability of the engraving itself
Cost Considerations in Listing Names
- Cost of extra characters
- Variance of price in engraving methods
Names to Avoid Listing
- Common typographical issues
- Placement issues and spacing
- Omissions and Margins
Customizing listings for unique situations
- Names for memorials or plaques or cremation markers
- Name from re-interment or relocation
Headstone Names that Require Maintenance
- Cleaning the engraving, preservation of engraving
- Repairing Damaged Inscriptions
In Conclusion: Creating a Respectful Tribute
1. Introduction to Inscriptions on Headstones
A headstone is not just a marker but a monument that memorializes someone’s life. The names that include who is buried there are not just identifiers but a lasting affirmation of who lived, loved, and were loved. It is vital that we put careful thought into each inscription to create a monument worthy of our loved ones.
2. Listing names on the certificate for burial
The purpose of listing names on the headstone is to identify which person (or persons) are in which grave. The names identify those who are entered and represent the relationships, heritage, and history of those people. The way those names appear expresses the closeness of the relationships, the prominence of family, or honors military service.
3. Typical styles for listing names
Traditional single name listing
The single name listing is the simplest and is usually used when only a person is interned at that gravestone. It is simple and direct, and the listing is usually located ‘above’, or on top of the epitaph or symbol.
Family headstone
Family headstones will list the different names on the same headstone. These can vary from small headstones with a few names to headstones/memorials that list several generations of family members.
Companion headstones
Companion headstones will list the names of (usually) two people who were buried together. The listing is typically side by side with the dates aligned beneath the person’s name.
Multiple interment listings
Multiple interment listing is a style for graves that will intern multiple people over time. In these styles, the headstones will have several names with spaces to write sequentially. This is frequently seen in family plot styles; however space must be noted for future name(s) and usually requires forethought.
4. Name Placement on a Headstone
The arrangement of names on a headstone suggests important information about the relationship of the deceased persons.
Listing Spouses
When indicating spouses, the husband’s name is usually to the left and the wife’s name is to the right. This is a custom in many Western cultures but may not always be the case based on cultural or personal preference.
Listing Parent and Children
In family plots, the parent’s name is typically indicated first followed by their children. The order can also reflect the chronology of death with the earlier deceased name listed first.
Listing Siblings
When siblings are indicated, the new siblings are often listed in order of being born or ordering death first. Again, this all matters of preference set by the family and the space available on the headstone.
5. Titles and Suffixes
Using titles and suffixes can sometimes add dignity and context to the names on the monument.
Professional Titles
Professional titles such as “Doctor,” “Reverend,” or “Professor” can be included to recognize the career of the deceased.
Religious Titles and Honors
Religious titles such as “Father,” “Sister,” or “Rabbi” are sometimes included to recognize the dedication and their role within faith.
Military Titles and Honors
For veterans and the military service, it is customary to include military ranks and honors such as “Sergeant,” “Captain,” or “Purple Heart Recipient” as recognition of their service.
6. Considerations in the Design of Name Placement
Font Legibility
The font selected for the names needs to be legible and appropriate to the feel of the headstone. Serif fonts are more classic fonts but sans-serif fonts are of a more modern aesthetic.
Spacing and Layout
Appropriate spacing of the name, date, and more is very important for readability and aesthetics. The layout should be symmetrical when possible and misaligned names looks better if there is white space between them.
Engraving
There are alternatives for engraving options such as sandblasting, laser etching, and hand carving that affect the name’s appearance. Each form has distinct pros and cons that also question durability and cost.
7. Dates of Birth and Death
Full Dates vs. Only Years
Some headstones specify full birth and death dates, whereas some only contain years. This selection can depend on space and family preference.
Location of Dates in relation to Names
The date will generally be directly below the name, although some fonts or designs will situate them next to the name, or another line.
Cultural Norms of Dates
The inscription should take into consideration culture for dates. For example, in Europe the day is written before the month, or some Asian cultures will use lunar calendar dates.
8. Additional Information
Epitaphs, Personal Encapsulations
An epitaph is a short inscription or phrase that says something meaningful about the person’s life. Epitaphs can range from quotes, or religious verses, or even simple phrases such as “Ida died but is forever my beloved Mother” or even “Forever in our Hearts”.
Symbols and Religious Icons
Adding symbols such as crosses, stars, or religious icons can add another layer of representation about the person’s faith or idiosyncratic personal philosophy around beliefs.
Photographs and Portraits
Some headstones also have photographs of the person etched, or even replaced into the stone as part of the name displays of expression to evoke memories of the deceased.
9. Legal and Cultural Considerations
Religious Guidelines for Name Listings
Each faith has particular prescripts regarding the inscription of a headstone. For example, it is common for a headstone, in the case of a Jewish burial, to feature a Jewish name (in Hebrew) and date of death in Jewish calendar dates.
Local Cemetery Guidelines
Cemeteries may regulate the size, material, and wording of the headstone inscription format. You will want to address that in advance before designing the headstone.
Cultural Sensitivity regarding Name Listings
Cultural practices could impact how names are included on a headstone, particularly the sequencing of names, the inclusion of titles, and sometimes, the use of cultural symbols.
10. Headstone Materials and how they may affect Name Listings
Granite, Marble, and Common Materials
The materials selected for the headstone affect both the durability of the headstone and, of course, the appearance of the name/inscription. Granite is extremely capable in relation to durability and traditional marble is probably the most distinguished and beautiful material, but softer materials can weather.
Durability and Maintenance of Name Listings
Depending on the material chosen, maintenance will vary significantly. Granite is generally long-lasting, while softer stone, limestone, etc., requires much more maintenance regarding inscription.
11. Cost Consideration of Name Listings
Cost of Characters
In general, the cost for engraving typically depends on the number of characters, but at the same time, additional names, titles, and information adds to the price.
Price Differences Based on the Technique used
Once again, laser etching will generally make your price higher than sandblasting due to the precision involved. In contrast, hand carved is often the most costly, but aesthetically spectacular option.
12. Avoiding Errors in Name Listings
Common Typographic Errors
Spelling mistakes can cause problems when proving a name; it can be very upsetting for a name to be engraved in error. Always double-check the spelling one last time prior to turning in the layout for engraving.
Misalignments and Layouts
Misalignment of names and dates can often detract from the look of a headstone and should be considered prior to finalizing the design.
Omissions
Was a middle name or title omitted? To forget an important detail on the headstone is disappointing for everyone involved. Confirm that all names and important information has been included before the headstone is fabricated.
13. Customizing Name Listings for Special Circumstances
Names for Memorial Plaques and Markers
Memorial plaques or cremation markers often have a space limitation and therefore must shorten some names of abbreviate initials.
Re-internments or Relocated Headstones
If a person is revolted or the headstone is moved, name listings will need to be changed, and hopefully preserved well, to have the original layout, name alignment, and family relationship names.
14. Maintenance of Inscriptions
Cleaning and Preservation of Engraving(s)
Over time, engravings become cleaned. The are many gentle yet non-abrasive methods to keep the stones in good appearance with special consideration around the lettering and images.
Re-engraving if Damaged
Over time engravings can wear. Professional stone carvers can engrave as well as restore the name back to original condition.
15. Wrap-Up
Listing names on headstone’s is a direct reflection of our loved ones. Because of the depth of relationships, titles given, and unique names, listing the names accurately and respectfully becomes a more involved process than anticipated. Planning, attention to detail, and a respect for family and tradition will ultimately ensure the headstone conveys another thoughtful acknowledgment of a good family member in an everlasting. In this way, the headstone will turn itself useful for generations the family and larger community can reflect upon.