Symbolism and Memorial Messages

No matter your religious preference, personalizing your monument can be an arduous process in a time of grief. With thousands of designs and religious components available, the design process can sometimes take weeks or months to complete.

Your monument counselor should be able to provide you with the necessary information to get you started. Researching the meaning of certain symbols on your own can also help save time during the memorialization process.

One of the first things you'll need to decide is whether you want a classic granite monument (with sandlblasting/hand carving) or a modern black etched granite monument. This will determine your artwork choices, as certain designs can be different for each type of monument and/or type of granite used.

According to the interpretation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, it is illegal to display a religious symbol, such as a Christian cross, on public land, as it demonstrates preference to a specific religion and thus violates the separation of church and state. Therefore, you'll need to be aware of your memorial placement if not located within a private cemetery. You should have no trouble adding religious components or scenes to your cemetery headstone. Your counselor can work with you to ensure your monument is appropriate in theme, design, type and size for your cemetery's specifications.

 

In addition to religious themes, many families choose to add flowers to symbolize how a life was lived or to honor their loved one in passing. For example, very popular monument flowers are red poppies, which have been associated with war since the Napoleonic Wars. The damage done to the landscape during battle often increased the lime content in the soil, leaving the poppy as one of the only plants able to grow. Families often utilize the poppy in headstone designs for family members that have served in the military.

Description=commemorative poppies laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 

Source=self-made |Date=November 11, 2007 |Location=Ottawa, Ontario Canada 

Author=Benoit Aubry |Permission= Creative Commons 3.1

Other common flowers and their significances are:

Morning Glory: symbolizes the Resurrection, morning, 

youth and the bonds of love. 

Daisy: Innocence of the Holy Child, Jesus the infant, youth, 

the Sun of the Righteousness, and also symbolizes innocence.

Pine and Pine Cones: symbolize fertility, regeneration, and healing.

Lily of the Valley: stands for purity, humility, 

the Virgin Mary and brides.

Tree of Life: Eternal Life.

Cultured and Wild Roses: symbolize love.

Pansy: Remembrance, humility and The Holy Trinity.

Poppy: Peace, rest, sleep, eternal sleep, consolation

By combining religious components, symbolic flowers and, as seen in the monument above, photo etched family portraits, allows for a truly unique and personal family memorial.