Headstones for graves give friends and relatives a physical place to visit and pay respect to a deceased loved one. Headstones are permanent memorials, so designing the perfect monument can be challenging. As you plan the memorial for your loved one, you should include personalized features that respectfully and accurately memorialize the life that was lost. If you are responsible for designing a headstone, keep these factors in mind. 

How to Perfectly Design a Headstone for a Grave

1. Choose the Right Size

There's a lot to consider before selecting a headstone size. For instance, you must consider if the headstone belongs to more than one relative or a single person. Companion and family memorials tend to be larger to accommodate multiple inscriptions. However, if the monument is for one person, you can choose a small flat headstone or a large upright one. The upright memorials offer countless design options for personalization, while the smaller, flat versions are less intricate due to the lack of space. 

2. Determine the Shape

Headstone shapes are plentiful, so choosing the best one to represent your deceased loved one will be a personal decision. You might select one that blends well with other markers and monuments in the cemetery or a unique shape that stands out. Shape options include a half-rounded headstone, a classic oval with shoulders, a peon top, and a square top with gothic shoulders. The latter shape is ideal if you intend to put something on top of the memorial, like a flower vase or a meaningful item of the deceased.

3. Select the Material and Color

You can further personalize your loved one's headstone by picking a material and unique color. Cemeteries often have regulations about the types of headstone materials they allow. Granite is a common headstone material, but you might also choose marble, iron, concrete, sandstone, or bronze. You may have more freedom with your color selection. Options can include Canadian mahogany with brown and black flecks, a vibrant India red, the classic barre gray, or paradiso, which has dark brown, black, and red streaks. 

Turn to McGee Monument when you need a lovely, top-quality memorial for your loved one. With six convenient locations in Arkansas, including Russellville, Atkins, Conway, Dardanelle, Clinton, and Danville, this company creates custom headstones for graves. Their caring and skilled team will make the perfect memorial using your notes and instructions. Their impressive memorials include flat grave markers and bronze markers, each with specially carved shapes and personalized etchings. Call (800) 750-0177 or visit them online to learn more about their products.