Did you know that rulers and the nobility of the ancient world were buried with many of their worldly possessions? The terra cotta soldiers in Xian, China are evidence of an emperor who was buried with a replica of his entire army.
Did you know the government agency responsible for maintaining ancient monuments in Wales is called the Cadw? In the rest of Britain, the agencies are called English Heritage, Historic Scotland, and the Environment and Heritage Services Northern Ireland.
It can be difficult to see what a grave monument looks like from a picture. Because of this, many companies who sell monuments and memorials have showrooms where you can see examples of the items they sell in person. If you can't visit a showroom, a company representative can answer your questions, so you get the memorial you want.
If you see an older marker or monument featuring a carved chain with the letters FLT (friendship, love, truth) engraved nearby, it indicates the burial and marker were financed by the International Order of Odd Fellows, who paid to ensure the poor had decent burials.
Today, the terms "gravestone" and "tombstone" are used interchangeably, but that wasn't always true. Historically, a tombstone was actually a coffin lid, and a gravestone was a stone wedge or slab installed over a grave.
Many times cemeteries have regulations regarding what kind of monuments can be used. We can assist you in picking out the right kind of monument to meet the requirements of your loved one's site and individual personal preferences.