Whether you are planning your own burial or you need to quickly put something together for a loved one who recently passed, one of the bigger decisions you'll have to make is what kind of monument to go with for the gravesite. Monuments come in all shapes and sizes and are made out of different materials. Here are some of the different options to consider for your gravesite or the grave of a loved one.
Traditional Headstone
A traditional headstone is typically made from granite or marble. Marble is typically more expensive than granite but may look more premium to some. A traditional headstone will usually have a block-like or oval shape. Traditional headstones are quite popular and you can likely find one in the exact color or shape that you desire.
Bevel Marker
A bevel marker lies flat on the ground over the grave site. It can still be engraved with your name or the name of your loved one as well as their dates of birth and death. Bevel markers can make it a bit harder to spot the location of the grave if you don't already know where it is because you need to be standing right over it to read it. But bevel markers are a good option for a person or family who wants to keep the costs down, as they're less elaborate than a traditional headstone or some of the other options on this list.
Bench Monument
If you want a more elaborate gravesite, you could look into a bench monument. As the name implies, this type of monument will provide a bench or seating area for anyone visiting the grave site to sit and reflect. This area will likely be set apart from the other graves and have a more unique appearance within the cemetery. It can also be nice for you or your family to be able to have a dedicated spot to just sit and contemplate instead of having to stand over the grave.
Upright Monument
Upright monuments are also made of granite or marble-like traditional headstones but have a more vertical design. This is a common grave marker for families who wish to be buried in the same spot. For example, you could have a mother and father and their two children all buried in the same spot, and the extra vertical space on the grave monument provides enough room to put everyone's name.
Contact a local funeral home for more information on grave markers and monuments.