Memorials: Stones, Benches and More

Memorials are one of the most important elements of the funeral process for family members and the deceased alike. Family members use memorial stones, plaques, benches, and other memorial objects as focal points for grieving. They visit memorials when they want to feel close to the deceased family member, or to show their respect and love on significant days, like birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or anniversaries of death. Planned in advance, memorial objects also provide the subject of the memorial the comfort of knowing he or she will be remembered long after passing. What kind of memorial is right for you or your lost loved one?

Memorial Stones, Headstones and Markers

Memorial stones, memorial headstones, and memorial markers are the most common types of memorials. Memorial headstones and markers serve the same function as gravestones; they record personal information, such as name, date of birth, and date of death. Memorial stones sometimes bear inscriptions with inspiring or descriptive text about the deceased, such as "Beloved Mother" or "An Inspiration to All." Memorial markers are placed where the remains have been laid to rest, somewhere that was significant to the deceased, or somewhere the family enjoys.

Memorial Benches and Garden Stones

Memorial benches are slightly less traditional but growing in popularity. They provide a place for family members and friends to sit and contemplate the life of the deceased. Memorial benches are often placed at a location the deceased loved, or as part of a memorial garden to give the family a place to grieve. Memorial garden stones offer another way to remember the deceased, and are frequently placed in the family garden, making it easy for the family to visit and mourn. Some individuals prefer a memorial rock that can hold a cremation urn, providing a natural way to blend with the environment and record personal details about the deceased.

Memorial Statues and Monuments

Memorial statues and memorial monuments offer more elaborate ways to commemorate the deceased. Hand-carved or custom memorial statues and monuments typically cost more than other memorial styles, but you can buy smaller, less elaborate memorial statues that aren’t personalized for as little as $30. Memorial monument designs often come in the form of an angel, or religious-themed statues such as Jesus and Mary. With a custom memorial statue or monument, though, you could choose a design of your lost loved one’s face, an important hobby, or something else of significance to the deceased, or to the family who will remember him or her.

Memorial Plaques

Memorial plaques are simple memorials that list the name of the deceased, and, sometimes, the dates of birth and death. Memorial plaques are placed at home, at a community mausoleum or private mausoleum, or even at a place of significance to the deceased. It is not uncommon, for example, to remember someone with a significant donation to "buy" a memorial plaque at a museum or other historical site.

Ultimately, the question of memorials is highly personal. Some families choose more than one type of memorial; a memorial to mark the remains, and a memorial to keep at home, or in a special place where the deceased is remembered and celebrated. The type of memorial that is right for you depends largely on where and how you want to use it, but it’s extremely subjective; there is no right or wrong way to memorialize a lost loved one.