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Consumer Tips on Purchasing a Grave Marker

Many of us have never shopped for a grave marker and when the need arises we often become confused. A grave marker is not something that you can purchase in a hurry. As a grave marker will permanently mark the resting place of the departed soul, you simply cannot make the mistake of making a quick and hasty decision. It is very essential to look around the market properly to compare quality, craftsmanship and prices of different types of grave markers before making a final decision.




Here are four simple tips that can help you in making the right decision:


Types of grave marker: There are different types of grave markers available in the market and hence you need to be very specific about what type of grave marker you want to purchase. You can opt for the upright grave markers, flat grave markers, obelisk grave markers and so on. To know about the different types of grave markers, kindly check this website www.frazerconsultants.com. In case you are looking for something strange and unique grave marker ideas, then check this website www.cremationresource.org. At the same time you will also need to decide on a grave marker design and whether you will personalize it with an epitaph or a photo.


Choose the material: Different types of materials are used to make grave markers or headstones. While bronze and granite are the most durable materials, you can also find grave markers made from wood, concrete, sandstone, limestone, fieldstone, marble, iron, and other similar materials, too. Mostly people prefer to buy a grave marker made of bronze or granite. Granite is a beautiful and elegant natural stone and at the same time durable and cost effective also when compared to other materials. On the other hand, bronze is sturdy and resistant to harsh weather and is also very easy to maintain a bronze grave marker.


Know the cemetery rules: When it comes to buying a grave marker, you should not buy one based merely on your personal preference. In fact, it is very essential to know about the rules and regulations on the types of grave markers that can be used on the cemetery ground. Different cemeteries have different policies in this regard. You can approach the office of the cemetery where you intend to install the grave marker to know about their rules and regulations. You need to ask about the type as well as the dimension and color restrictions. This will help you to choose a grave marker with confidence.


Order the grave marker: You can purchase a grave marker from the cemetery itself. It is however advisable to consult online memorial stores during the purchase process, to look for a better option. There are many online companies such as Memorials.com, Headstonesusa.com and so on where you can find a good collection of grave markers at reasonable rates. However before making a final decision it is important to know about the reputation of the company, their payment options, delivery and installment options, warranties and so on. By dealing with a reputable company you can be hugely benefited.


Installation and maintenance: Most of the cemeteries offer installation services for grave markers. For installation you may need to pay some kind of fee. Many cemeteries may even charge a variety of fees for perpetual care, maintenance, and other add-on services. However if the cemetery chosen by you do not offer installation services, then a local monument installer is the best route to go. You can always ask a local funeral home to help you in finding a monument installer. Cemeteries often inspect and maintain grave markers from time to time so that they may not topple or injure anyone. You can also visit the cemetery and check for yourself. In case you notice anything wrong, then you must inform about it to the authorities so that proper care can be taken on time. 

To conclude, as purchasing a grave marker is a major investment of time and money, you should buy one with great thought and care. A little homework can help you to avoid mistakes and choose the right product.

List of Gravestone Symbols and Their Meanings

While visiting a cemetery, you can notice a wide variety of gravestones also known as headstones. You will not be amazed by the different types of gravestones but you will also be wondering about the meanings of the designs and symbols carved on the gravestones. These symbols have special meanings and indicate the viewpoint of the society in regards to life and death at different points of time.

While some the symbols present in gravestones have fairly simple interpretations, it is not always easy to determine their meaning and significance on your own. People have studied in details about the symbols to come to a concrete conclusion.


Here is a small list of some common gravestone symbols along with their meanings:



  • Alpha and Omega – These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and it symbolizes the beginning and the end.

  • Anchor – It is a symbol of well grounded hope, steadfastness or eternal life.

  • Angel – It symbolizes a guide to Heaven.

  • Arch – It symbolizes the passage to heaven or victory over death.

  • Arrow – It symbolizes mortality or martyrdom. 

  • Beehive – It symbolizes domestic virtue, faith, education and human industry.    

  • Bell – It symbolizes religious faith or religion. 

  • Bird – It symbolizes eternal life, peace and spirituality. 

  • Boat – It symbolizes a voyage or journey to the other side.

  • Book or Bible –It symbolizes knowledge, open heart, or the deceased's lifetime accomplishments. 

  • Buds – It symbolizes renewal of life or the loss of a young soul.

  • Butterfly – It symbolizes resurrection or early death.

  • Candle – It symbolizes the spirit of the soul.

  • Cross – It symbolizes faith and eternity.

  • Corn – It symbolizes rebirth and fertility.

  • Circle – It symbolizes eternal life.

  • Crown – It symbolizes glory of life after death.

  • Column – It symbolizes the noble life of the deceased or the head of the family.

  • Coffin – It symbolizes mortality and death.

  • Clock – It symbolizes the passage of time.

  • Dove –It symbolizes innocence, love, affection and purity.

  • Drapery – It symbolizes mourning and mortality.

  • Daisy – It symbolizes innocence of a child.

  • Dog – It symbolizes loyalty, fidelity and vigilance.

  • Dogwood – It symbolizes resurrection, divine sacrifice and eternal life.

  • Dragon – It symbolizes Imperial Power.

  • Eagle – It symbolizes that the deceased was a veteran.

  • Easter lily – It symbolizes purity and chastity.

  • Female figure – It symbolizes sorrow and grief.

  • Finger (pointing upward) – It symbolizes the pathway to Heaven.

  • Fish – It symbolizes spiritual nourishment, faith, or Christianity.

  • Flower – It symbolizes immortality or fragility of life.

  • Flying bird – It symbolizes rebirth.

  • Flame – It symbolizes life or resurrection.

  • Fruit – It symbolizes eternity.

  • Fern – It symbolizes humility and sincerity.

  • Garland – It symbolizes victory over death.

  • Grim Reaper – It symbolizes inevitability of death.

  • Gate – It symbolizes the passage from earth to heaven.

  • Harp – It symbolizes praise to God and hope.

  • Horns – It symbolizes resurrection.

  • Hammer – It symbolizes the power of creation.

  • Horse – A white horse represents good, while a black horse represents evil.

  • Hourglass – It symbolizes passage of time.

  • Hands (Clasped) – It symbolizes farewell and the hope of meeting again in eternity.

  • Hand (Pointing up) – It symbolizes the pathway to Heaven.

  • Heart – It symbolizes love, devotion, joy, and mortality.

  • Ivy – It symbolizes friendship, eternal life and immortality.

  • Knot – It symbolizes marriage and unity.

  • Lily – It symbolizes purity, chastity and resurrection.

  • Lily of the Valley –It symbolizes rebirth, innocence, purity and virginity.

  • Lamp – It symbolizes wisdom and faithfulness.

  • Lamb – It symbolizes innocence.

  • Laurel – It symbolizes the ‘evergreen’ memory of the deceased or victory over death.

  • Lion – It symbolizes strength and courage.

  • Lotus – It symbolizes purity, creation and rebirth.

  • Moon – It symbolizes death, rebirth, or victory.

  • Myrtle leaves – It symbolizes undying love and peace.

  • Morning Glory –It symbolizes beginning of life along with beauty, youth, and love.

  • Oak Leaf – It symbolizes long life, strength, endurance, faith and virtue. 

  • Owl – It symbolizes wisdom and watchfulness.

  • Ox – It symbolizes patience and strength.

  • Olive Branch – It symbolizes peace, fruitfulness, forgiveness, purification, humanity and victory.

  • Palm – It symbolizes success, victory over death and eternal peace.

  • Plow – It symbolizes the harvest; the reaping of one’s life.

  • Poppy – It symbolizes eternal sleep.

  • Pall – It symbolizes mortality.

  • Pyramid – It symbolizes resurrection, eternal life, enlightenment, spiritual attainment.

  • Rosary –It symbolizes devotion of the deceased towards God.

  • Rosemary – It symbolizes remembrance.

  • Rainbow – It symbolizes union or fulfillment of the promise of resurrection.

  • Rabbit –It symbolizes humility, gentleness and self-sacrifice.

  • Rose –It symbolizes love, beauty, victory, triumph, and purity.

  • Rooster –It symbolizes awakening, vigilance and resurrection.

  • Scroll – It symbolizes life and time.

  • Shell – It symbolizes Baptism or rebirth.

  • Ship – It symbolizes the church or a life on the sea like that of a fisherman or other sailor.

  • Skull – It symbolizes death and mortality.

  • Star – It symbolizes divine guidance. A five-pointed star represents the Star of Bethlehem, while a six-pointed star represents creation.

  • Sun – It symbolizes the soul rising to heaven.

  • Sunflower – It symbolizes the devotion to God.

  • Sword – It represents martyrdom or the deceased's military service.

  • Sleeping Child – It symbolizes the innocence of a child.

  • Skeleton – It symbolizes death and life's brevity on earth.

  • Scythe – It symbolizes death, or the final harvest.

  • Sheaf of Wheat – It symbolizes old age or a fruitful life.

  • Swallow – It symbolizes motherhood or the spirit of children.

  • Thistle – It represents earthly sorrow or remembrance.

  • Tree – It symbolizes life or human fragility.    

  • Trowel – It symbolizes mortality and death.

  • Tree Trunk (Broken) – It symbolizes premature death or mourning.

  • Tree Stump – It symbolizes life interrupted.

  • Triangle – It symbolizes the Holy Trinity.

  • Trumpet – It symbolizes resurrection or entry into Heaven.

  • Torch – It represents enlightenment, zeal, liberty or immortality.

  • Tulip – It symbolizes love and passion.

  • Urn – It symbolizes the soul, immortality or penitence.

  • Vacant Chair – It symbolizes the death of a child.

  • Violet – It symbolizes humility.

  • Wreath – It symbolizes victory of death over life.

  • Wheat – It symbolizes divine harvest. 

  • Weeping Willow – It symbolizes mourning, grief, sadness, lamentation.

  • Wheel – It symbolizes the cycle of life, enlightenment, spiritual power.


To conclude, when visiting to a cemetery take your time to appreciate the symbols carved in gravestones. The language of symbols will help you to understand your ancestors in a better manner. 

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