What is the headstone shape called?

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Oval or arc The most common type of cemetery headstone you’ll encounter is the traditional oval or arc shape. This is the rounded oval top that most people are familiar with.

What are the different types of headstones?

To recap, below are the most common types of headstones:

Upright Headstones.
Slant Headstones.
Flat & Bevel Headstones.
Bench Headstones.
Wing Headstones.

What type of headstone is best?

If you want a memorial that will last, then the best headstone material is either granite or bronze. Both are known for their durability. However, a lesser-known alternative is the field boulder. While it will not last quite as long as the other two, it will hold up to the elements.

What is the difference between a tombstone and a headstone?

“Gravestone” is the older word, being used from the late 1300s, and “tombstone” is from the mid-1500s. A headstone, as the word implies, referred to a grave marker placed at the head of a grave. It’s the newest of the three words, arising in 1676, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

What is a slant headstone?

Slant monuments, or “slanted memorials” are simply short grave marker tablets with a slanted face, and like upright tablets must sit on a foundation, usually with a granite base. A 2″ flat area on the front of a slant monument is called “nosing”, and can be polished or rock-pitched.

Which lasts longer marble or granite?

The bottom line is that the biggest difference between granite and marble is that granite is much harder and lasts much longer than the softer marble. Marble is more likely to crack, chip and erode over time due to being exposed to the outdoor elements.

Why do headstones face West?

A west-facing tombstone with an east-facing body was utilized in the olden days in some cemeteries to make sure that families, friends, and visitors wouldn’t stand or walk upon a person’s grave when they wanted to visit with their deceased family member and sit near the tombstones.

What is a bevel headstone?

Bevel Top Markers are slanted with a 2″ pitch so that the back of the marker is slightly higher than the front of the marker. This raised headstone style makes it easier to find in the cemetery and helps keep the headstone clean as well.