When honoring a loved one who has passed away, creating or selecting the right grave monument is essential. You want to ensure that the final resting place of your beloved family member reflects their life and legacy in a meaningful way.

Fortunately, there are many ways to customize a grave monument to create an enduring tribute that will honor your loved one. Here are some ideas to consider as you create a lasting memorial.

Include a Favorite Quote 

Incorporating a meaningful quote on your loved one's grave monument is a great way to show that you remember and honor their life. Quotes can be sentimental or humorous — they can be used to express someone's beliefs and values or simply reflect their personality. They are also a wonderful way to express how much this person meant to you and commemorate their legacy.

When choosing a quote for your loved one's memorial, consider what represents them best. Consider the message you want to convey — perhaps something inspirational or uplifting that speaks of hope. It might even be something that encapsulates their life philosophy or outlook on the world around them. 

Pick an appropriate length, too — longer quotes may need to be shortened to fit the space available on the monument, so it may be wise to choose something concise with impactful words.

Finally, decide how you want the quote displayed. You could engrave directly into the stone, raise lettering from materials such as bronze or brass, or laser etching using cutting-edge technology. Remember that some materials may not last as long as others, so consider durability when making your choice.

Engrave Symbols of Their Life and Legacy 

Engraving symbols of your loved one's life and legacy onto their grave monument is an excellent way to memorialize them. They serve as a reminder of the individual and can also help tell a story about who they were and what their life meant. 

Symbols such as hobbies, activities, or interests can reflect their passions and accomplishments. You could also choose images that evoke memories, such as a seascape to represent a favorite holiday spot to bring those cherished times back to life again.

When selecting symbols for your loved one's grave monument, consider the type of material you plan on using. 

Different elements have different properties, which may benefit certain symbols over others. For instance, granite is perfect for deeply carved images, whereas glass panels work well with engravings or etchings. You could also opt for metal plaques or raised lettering if you want something more subtle but still unique to them.