A person’s final resting place is considered sacred by many people. However, there’s no way of knowing where a final resting place is without some sort of marker.
Over the centuries people in different cultures have come up with many ways to mark a grave, whether it contains a body or cremated remains. Some markers are all natural, while others are man made. Today, in most cemeteries there are three options for marking a gravesite: a headstone, monument or plaque.
They may serve the same purpose, but there are key differences between these three options. Here’s a comparison of each one so you can decide which type of marker will work best.
Headstones
The most common type of marker that’s been used for burial plots in the last few centuries is a headstone. Headstones get their name because they are a piece of stone that’s placed at the top of the burial plot. It can lie flat on the ground or have a base and another raised piece of stone that is angled so that the headstone is easy to read even though it is close to ground level. There are also headstones known as an upright headstone. It is a flat piece of stone that is positioned upright with one edge implanted in the ground.
The stone is engraved with the deceased’s information to note who is buried in the plot, when they were born and when they died. Often the family will also include a short message or other distinguishing factors about the deceased, such as if they were a spouse or a member of the military. Because of these details, many headstones can have historical value.
Even a simple headstone can be quite expensive. Families generally spend between $1,000 and $3,000 for an upright headstone. Flat headstones are a little less expensive, usually between $400 and $1,200.
Monument
A monument can actually refer to many different things, some of which aren’t related to a person’s death. In terms of being a marker for a final resting place, a monument usually refers to a statue or stone structure that’s placed on top of the grave. There may be engravings on the monument to provide details about the deceased, or the monument may be paired with a headstone or plaque.
Monuments are distinct from headstones and plaques because they are taller and more decorative. They are also more expensive. It’s common for families to pay $5,000+ for a grave monument.
Plaques
A plaque is the smallest and most nondescript option. It lays flat on the ground or is affixed to stone on top of the grave if it’s used to mark a burial plot. There are also smaller plaques that can be used to designate a columbarium niche for an urn with cremated remains.
Typically, a plaque is going to be the most cost effective option. This is largely due to the size and amount of materials that are used. Often plagues are made of aluminum or bronze and start at just a few hundred dollars.
Which type of marker is the best option comes down to your budget, the final resting place and your aesthetic preferences. Markers tend to be one of the biggest funeral-related expenses, but the cost can be covered by funeral insurance or life insurance. You can also save money on the funeral services by choosing direct cremation. Once the cremation is complete you can choose to bury the cremated remains or put them in a niche with a marker.
If you’re interested in arranging a direct cremation, Direct Cremate can handle the details while you work on getting the marker made. Give us a call or text at any time to start the process.
