For many of us, when we lose someone, it is important that we create some kind of physical, if symbolic, connection to them. We may plant a tree, create a shrine, or commission a memorial bench. Perhaps the most common, however, is installing a headstone inscribed with details about the person who has passed away, in a beautiful and enduring tribute to their life and the relationships they’d formed.
At Harold Wood Funeral Services, we work with Headstone Consultant Graham Walker, a stonemason who is dedicated to his craft and can help you in the sometimes daunting task of choosing the right headstone. With years of experience, he can also explain how you can personalise a headstone – including by choosing the right words to be inscribed on it.
To offer some thought starters, however, here’s our guide on choosing an inscription for a headstone which helps you to commemorate your loved one in a meaningful way.
Beautiful Words for a Headstone
A headstone inscription is more than just a name and dates; it’s a legacy carved in stone
Even the smallest details tell a story. It’s why we can find ourselves thinking about the life lived by someone 300 years ago when we read their memorial in a church – wondering about their experiences, the people they left behind, the mark they left on the world. It has been estimated that of all surviving Latin and Greek inscriptions, between two-thirds and three-quarters are epitaphs – demonstrating their power to last for millennia.
The feeling of connection we have reading an inscription can be even more profound if the headstone belongs to a relative, no matter how distantly. In this way, by inscribing a headstone, you aren’t only honouring the deceased, but giving future generations a way to get in touch with their history.
Key Elements of a Headstone Inscription
The basic information usually included on a headstone is the full name of the deceased, their birth date, and the date they left us. It is wise to leave space on the headstone for future burials of either ashes or caskets. Also bear in mind that wording has to be authorised by the cemetery authority as part of a permit process.
Alongside basic information, people will tend to add an epitaph to express their feelings for the person they have lost, such as “Beloved Mother” or “Forever in Our Hearts” – simple phrases that carry a heavy weight of emotion. Headstones will also often be inscribed with religious verses (such as ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ (Matthew 5:8)) or pieces of poetry, which can be a fitting tribute if a person was of deep religious faith, or a literature lover.
There are also plenty of examples of custom messages which are particularly meaningful to the individual or encapsulate their personality. We’re sure you’ve heard of Spike Milligan’s famous epitaph, “I told you I was ill!”, which was inscribed in Gaelic and followed a joke he had told in stand-up for years. In another famous example, Mel Blanc – the legendary Looney Tunes voice actor – has “That’s all folks” carved into the stone above his name.
Creating an inscription for your loved one
What people choose to include in an inscription is something they often think carefully about, and as the examples above illustrate, there is no need to feel bound by tradition when doing so. By reflecting on your loved one’s life, their beliefs, passions and values and consulting with your loved ones, you will be able to find the right words.
Selecting a headstone inscription is a deeply emotional task, but it is also an opportunity to create a lasting tribute that honours your loved one’s memory. At Harold Wood Funeral Services, we are here to support you in making these important decisions, ensuring that the final inscription serves as a meaningful and enduring legacy.