Despite cemetery regulations on headstone shapes, sizes, and colors, talented memorial artists can work within those limits to create incredible designs. People can choose unique headstone shapes that depict musical instruments, beloved cars, or football club crests using modern stone-cutting techniques.
Animal statues atop a flat headstone are a good choice for pet lovers. Another fun option is a piano-shaped headstone with sheet music or song lyrics engraved on it.
Sculptures
Sculptures can be beautiful additions to a headstone, especially when they evoke a deceased loved one’s character and spirit. If a person is an artist, for example, a sculpture of their work or even their hands can be a touching and innovative cemetery headstone design.
Similarly, if a person is known for being a bit of a practical joker, a sculpture that looks like they are trying to climb out of the ground can be a humorous yet meaningful touch.
Another way to incorporate a sculpture into a headstone is to make it a focal point. This is especially effective if the sculpture can serve as a seat for visitors to sit in, as it allows people to reflect on their loss and remember with fondness a life well lived.
For example, if a person is a nature lover, a sculpture of birds and flowers can be a peaceful addition to their grave.
Some people choose to have a bench included in their memorial because it gives them a place to sit for a visit.
The design of the bench can be quite elaborate, and some people will include a vase as part of the bench’s design so that fresh flowers can be added to the memorial during special occasions.
If a person loves music, one of the most innovative cemetery headstone designs is incorporating a musical note into their marker. This idea can be particularly beautiful if the loved one is an accomplished pianist.
Alternatively, a music-themed headstone could feature a statue of a piano or something else related to their passion. Similarly, if a person loves animals, a statue of a beloved pet can be an attractive and thoughtful addition to their headstone.
Bench
When it comes to innovative cemetery headstone designs, the possibilities are limitless. Though many cemeteries have strict rules about shape, size, and materials, a talented artist can work within those restrictions to create something truly unique and special.
This eye-catching bench repurposes a former French oak wine barrel and features a comfortable seat made of aged oak slats. It’s a great choice for a wine lover and adds a rustic touch to any outdoor setting.
This bench is a good alternative to a traditional grave marker, especially for those who wish to honor the memory of a loved one without displaying their name or other personal details.
Another great alternative is a memorial stone that doubles as a planter, such as this one made of ipe (pronounced ee-pay) wood, a dense and weather-resistant Brazilian hardwood. This bench can hold a lot of plants and looks stunning with a simple, natural design.
While some people choose to purchase a headstone and grave marker online, this can be problematic because the grave markers may not meet local regulations or cemetery rules. A reputable memorial provider will help families find the right memorial while ensuring it meets all required specifications.
This park-style bench is a great choice for a family who wants to invoke the feeling of a city park in their backyard garden. It’s easy to build and can be made from recycled timber and materials.
It’s a cool project that the entire family can take part in and makes a beautiful addition to any yard. This bench from That’s My Letter includes a complete supplies list and step-by-step directions so even beginners can easily follow along and build this project.
Music
A cemetery can be a haunting place but is also a source of beauty, culture, and history.
The final resting place of loved ones becomes a central location for families and friends to gather, remember, and grieve together. The long-lasting memorial created is one of the last gifts that can be bestowed on a loved one, and it should reflect their character.
The traditional headstone has a name, date of death, and epitaph. But modern memorials have become more personalized, with inscriptions often including poems, quotes, and song lyrics. The stone itself can even be sculpted in the shape of the deceased’s favorite hobby or profession.
Many people are buried in cemeteries with strict rules and regulations that must be followed when designing the grave marker. Some of these guidelines may feel restrictive and limit creativity, but a reputable monument company can check with the cemetery for you and advise on what is permitted.
A carved guitar or violin can represent an avid music lover and may be an important part of their legacy. Musicians, singers, and composers are often honored with a musical instrument on their memorial, and an inscription of a piece of sheet music can be engraved as a touching tribute.
A symbol of peace is a bird. This can be carved in full flight, with its wings closed, or simply as a representation of the winged soul. The cross is another common symbol that may be carved on a memorial, along with the circle, which represents eternity and resurrection.
The hands of a loved one may be incorporated as a sign of love and a parting farewell or as a symbol of service and charity in groups such as fraternities, sororities, or clubs.
Books
The decision to memorialize a departed family member, partner, or friend is delicate. The resulting monument can be the lasting depiction of that person’s legacy, and for many people, it represents a significant emotional and financial commitment.
While the traditional cemetery headstone design continues to be a popular choice, more innovative designs are popping up for the burial ground that takes a more personalized approach to memorialization.
Recent gravestone designs have become far more personalized than their predecessors, whether the memorial be flat and tablet, extravagant and upright, or cremation memorials.
Rather than the more generic phrases like “In Loving Memory,” these new gravestone designs often include inscriptions that reflect the individual’s passions, hobbies, and interests in life.
One of the most creative ways to memorialize a loved one is through an inscription on a granite book tombstone. These contemporary memorials are shaped in the form of an open book and feature two open pages with a hand-carved tassel usually etched on the bottom.
A full-sized photo for a headstone can be inscribed on the first page, and a written tribute, such as a personal quote or an epitaph, on the second.
If a family is unsure how to memorialize their loved one, they can seek the help of monument designers who can provide them with creative options. A reputable monument company can also ensure that the final design is in compliance with any regulations adopted by the cemetery.
This includes ensuring that the size, material, and color of a custom-designed headstone or monument conform to guidelines set forth by local internment officials.
Practical Jokes
In some cases, a headstone decoration is more than just a way to honor the deceased. It can be a light-hearted way to share a loved one’s personality or even a practical joke.
This particular gravestone features a cartoon depiction of someone who is obviously talking on a giant phone, and the inscription reads, “Hey – call me.” It’s both spooky and funny, and it gives visitors an idea of the person’s sense of humor.
In a similar vein, some gravesites include a billiard table and balls in remembrance of the person who played pool. Other headstones feature a golf course or tennis court in memory of the person who enjoyed those sports.
If the deceased was an avid reader, a quote from a book could make for a meaningful epitaph. For example, author F. Scott Fitzgerald’s gravestone features the closing line from his novel The Great Gatsby.
Other items that can be placed on a headstone include small toys, especially for children.
For example, if the deceased had a passion for a certain animal or sports team, you could leave little figurines by their headstone. If your cemetery allows it, you can also put up a bird feeder, which is a nice way to remember a loved one who has a love for wildlife.
Be sure to check with the staff at your cemetery before adding any decorations.
Some things are not allowed to be placed on a grave, and some can cause damage to the gravestone or cause safety issues for visitors. For example, placing latex or mylar balloons at a grave site is unsafe because they can float away and potentially injure someone else.