Generally, only the person who owns the plot deed can change a headstone. They can do this if they have permission from the deceased or a will stating otherwise.
Another way to add a name is to include a quotation, saying, verse, or sentiment. This can be an emotionally resonant phrase that captures the personality of the deceased.
Adding a spouse’s name
If you are thinking of adding your spouse’s name to your loved one’s gravestone, it’s important to consider a few things. Ultimately, you should do what feels right to you and your family. The first step is to talk with your spouse about it and make sure they are comfortable with the decision. If they are not happy with the idea, it may be best to leave it alone.
You should use the decedent’s full legal name on their tombstone. This includes any middle names or suffixes such as Jr. or III. In addition, a gravestone should display the date of birth and death. Typically, these dates will be listed in chronological order. In some cases, you can choose to include the branch of service or rank of your loved one. Adding this information to their gravestone can be a nice tribute to their time in the military or other public service.
Many families choose to bury both spouses together even after their deaths. This is a great way to save on cemetery costs. This arrangement can also be less stressful for those who are grieving. However, it’s important to consider how your spouse would feel about the inclusion of their former spouse. If you have questions about this, contacting your cemetery or funeral home is a good idea to ask about their policies.
Another option is to get a companion headstone that allows for two people’s names. These types of headstones are more common than you might think. Often, families purchase a single space for burial and then inter the cremains of both spouses. This is a great way to save money on cemetery fees and keep both spouses’ names close together.
In general, adding a deceased spouse’s name to their memorial is appropriate if they were married or lived together during life. This is particularly true if the couple is buried in a shared grave space. This is not uncommon in military cemeteries and on-base graveyards. If you are considering adding a spouse’s name to your veteran’s gravestone, please check with the cemetery for their rules. Also, make sure you speak with your veteran’s spouse to ensure they are comfortable with the arrangement.
Adding a child’s name
Adding a child’s name to a headstone can be an important way to honor them. It can also help family members cope with their loss and remember them fondly. However, there are some things to consider before making this decision. First, it is important to think about the reasons for including the name. The most common reason is to ensure that when you buy a gravestone it reflects the child’s age at death. However, some people also choose to include their maiden names as well. This may be because the deceased’s maiden name has a special tie to their legacy or heritage. In this case, the surname should be included in brackets.
Besides the name, a headstone should include dates and other personal information. Many families add a short quote, verse, or sentiment to their loved one’s headstone. This can be as simple or lengthy as you want it to be. Some examples include “In Loving Memory” or “Forever Loved.” These sentiments can help family members feel closer to their loved ones after they pass away.
In some cases, family members may disagree over what information should be included on a person’s headstone. This is often the case when a transgender person dies, and intolerant family members continue to use their birth name instead of their chosen gender identity. These disagreements can cause a lot of stress for the surviving family members.
The order of names on a tombstone should follow etiquette, which is usually first name, middle name, and last name (nee maiden name, if applicable) or first name, middle name, and last name with a prefix such as a nephew, son, grandson, daughter-in-law, etc. Traditionally, a headstone should also list the date of birth and the date of death. The dates can be shown in a simple format, such as 1950-2022, or they can be written out in full, including the month and year.
If you’re planning on putting someone’s name on a headstone, it is best to talk with the cemetery beforehand. In some cases, the cemetery will have a specific form for submitting this information to them. It’s also a good idea to ask the headstone maker if they offer a template for this purpose. This can save time and ensure that the inscription is correct.
Adding a parent’s name
A gravestone is a stone that is placed over the grave of your loved one and maybe engraved with their name and other information. Gravestones can be made from granite, marble, or limestone and can be as simple or elaborate as you want. You can also choose to have a picture of your loved one placed or engraved on the gravestone. The term “gravestone” was first used in the 12th-13th centuries, although at this time, it referred to large stones that lay horizontally over a plot and didn’t look much like today’s tombstones.
Many people have a preference to include the maiden name of a deceased person on their tombstone. This is a personal choice, but it is important to consider your loved one’s wishes and how they want to be remembered. Generally, the order of names on a tombstone is first, middle, and last. However, if you would like to include nicknames or suffixes on your loved one’s tombstone, you can do so.
In addition to the decedent’s name, it is also customary to add a date of death or birth. Some people also prefer to include their birthplace and date of death in the inscription. Others will choose to leave the dates blank, which can help them remember their loved ones without being overly sentimental or evoking grief.
Adding another name to a headstone can be a difficult decision, especially when dealing with the loss of a parent. However, this can be a good way to commemorate your family’s history and celebrate the lives of your loved ones.
You can always have a monument engraver add an additional name to the existing headstone, but it’s usually more cost-effective to do it before your loved one passes away. This allows the company to make sure it can do so and will minimize costs for the family.
It’s also worth noting that adding a name to an existing headstone can be quite costly. This is because a skilled memorial dealer needs to modify the inscription and possibly extend panels (roughed-out areas of the panel). If this isn’t possible, the inscriber will need to add a new panel to accommodate the extra inscription.
Adding a grandparent’s name
When it comes to gravestone inscriptions, there are no hard and fast rules. However, it’s important to consider the wishes of your loved one when creating their final resting place. After all, a headstone is an enduring record of your relationship with them and how you want to be remembered. In the past, a headstone might have included decorative carvings of animals or flowers or even an image of a person’s face. These were often meant to convey the deceased’s personality, interests, or achievements. Today, many headstones feature photos of the deceased and their family members. In addition, they may include a personal message or quote.
In general, it is considered proper to include a person’s full name on their gravestone. This usually includes their maiden name if it was still known at the time of their death. In addition, it is common for a gravestone to list the date of birth and death. The format for the dates can vary, but it’s generally preferred to use the standardized format of year-month-day.
Including a maiden name on a gravestone is also a good idea because it can help historians and genealogists discover more about the deceased’s life. Similarly, adding a grandchild’s name can help honor the deceased’s legacy and heritage.
Although a lot of people are curious about whether or not it is appropriate to add a maiden name to a headstone, the decision should ultimately be made by the deceased’s family. If they were married when they died, there’s no need to list their maiden names on their headstone. However, if they were not, including maiden names on their headstone may be more fitting.
It is also important to keep in mind that adding a name to a gravestone can be complicated and expensive. It’s best to consult with a funeral director to ensure you follow the appropriate guidelines. Otherwise, you could run into legal trouble if you don’t. In addition to the name, you might also want to include a small inscription or symbol. Alternatively, you can look into headstone-safe adhesives to attach a picture or other keepsake to the memorial.