Life itself is brief, as everything else is in this world. When a loved one passes on, families decide to either bury or cremate them. If they decide to bury, there’s a likelihood that a headstone, tombstone, or gravestone will be set on the burial spot. When visiting a cemetery, we are sure you must have come across different types of grave markers. Some are more elaborate than others.
For people who are unfamiliar with cemetery memorials, these terminologies can be confusing. Especially, when terms like tombstone, headstone, and gravestone are often used interchangeably. But, when you dive into the origin of each word, you’ll see that all these words have subtle differences. These small differences give each term its unique meaning. In this blog, let’s understand the difference between a tombstone, headstone, and gravestone.
What Are Tombstones?
A tombstone is an upright monument that sits on top of the grave, towards the head. It contains the deceased’s name, date of birth and death, epitaphs and/or personal messages from the bereaved family. It serves as a reminder or marker of the burial spot so that it’s easy to honor the dead later in life. The tombstones for graves were more relevant when coffins were made of stones.
It is a Greek-origin term. The English language was adopted in the mid-1500s. The word describes the lid of a stone coffin. In Greek, the term “tymbos” translates to “burial mound” and the term “stia” means “pebble.” From then on “tymbos” became “tomb” and “stia” became “stone.” Many people and cultures use the term tombstone interchangeably with headstone and gravestone.
What Is a Headstone?
A headstone is an upright stone that sits on the head of a grave. It is a common term and is similar to a cornerstone. In the 1400s, it was a synonym for the word cornerstone, which is a ceremonial stone. In general, it sits on the corner of a building, often conjoining two exterior walls. It contained information about the structure including stones and other materials used for it.
With time, cemetery grave headstones became synonymous with grave markers. They were then used to mark burial spots. They started displaying information about the departed loved one. They are consisted of the person’s name, date of birth and death, memorial quotes, epitaphs, pictures, and much more. They are available in different styles for example black headstones, military headstones, etc. They are now a popular and most common name for cemetery monuments worldwide.
What Is a Gravestone?
In ancient times, a gravestone referred to the large slab that used to cover the entire grave. Like tombstones and headstones, gravestones also consist of information about the deceased. They often included loved one’s information, religious symbols, epitaphs, and other such things. The term “gravestone” dates back to the 1175s. Most people think of a standing and vertical grave marker when thinking about gravestones.
But today, they resemble a grave ledger more. A grave ledger is a large stone slab that features lengthier information about the departed. For example, their list of accomplishments or genealogy can be mentioned on the cemetery gravestone. At Stone Discover, we tend to use tombstone, headstone, and gravestone interchangeably.
Tombstone vs Headstone vs Gravestone
If we see, headstone vs tombstone vs gravestone, they all once had different meanings. Over time, their definitions evolved and today, they share the same meaning. Yet, each of them still has a distinguishing factor. They are all significant and unique in their own right. Moreover, they are not mere cemetery headstones, they are a way to honor and memorialize a loved one by family.
How to Buy Tombstones, Headstones & Gravestones
Before learning where to buy tombstones for graves, let’s understand the factors to consider while selecting tombstone monuments. Commemorating a loved one is a very important and sentimental procedure and gravesite tombstones are a great part of it. So, it’s essential to select a cemetery monument that helps create an everlasting memory of a deceased loved one. There are certain factors to remember when choosing an ideal grave site marker.
Here are some significant pointers to keep in mind.
- Set a proper budget – The first thing to do is to set a budget. Buying fancy headstones is an expensive affair, so having an amount in mind helps.
- Select a monument material – Burial headstones come in a wide range of materials like stones, wood, and bronze. It is best to go with natural stones such as granite. They are beautiful, long-lasting, and low maintenance.
- Decide on the monument type, color, and gravestone design– There are various memorial designs to choose from. From traditional and modern to bespoke monuments, everything is available at Stone Discover.
- Create engravings and inscriptions – After finalizing the gravestone design, decide on the quotes or messages you want on the memorial headstones for graves.
- Choose a trusted cemetery monument supplier – Finally, ensure to buy cemetery tombstones from a reliable supplier, such as Stone Discover. We are one of the best manufacturers and exporters of gravestone memorials.
Cost of Cemetery Monuments
The cost of headstones and monuments can’t be predicted, as it depends on several factors like types of material, size, design, and personalization. From upright gravestones, personalized headstones, traditional round-top headstones, and decorative headstones to gravestones for Halloween, there are different tombstone designs and prices for each type.
Stone Discover – Trusted Monument Supplier
Planning to buy a headstones online? At Stone Discover, we have all types of cemetery monuments. We understand that memorials are not for mere grave marking and commemoration. They are also a way that allow bereaved families to have closure. No matter which design families choose, we strive to deliver an everlasting tribute to your loved one.
Our monuments help reflect the deceased’s true personality, interests, and much more. We believe our buyers must feel confident and satisfied with the grave headstones we are creating. We have been in the industry since 1984. With our experience and expertise, we promise to offer the finest monuments at the best prices. We also do secure packaging and on-time delivery. Our range includes upright headstones, memorial benches, angel headstones, couple stones, slant headstones, and kerb sets. If you’d like to discuss our monument range, contact our memorial experts today!
FAQ
What is the difference between a gravestone and a headstone?
A gravestone is a general term for any grave marker, while a headstone specifically refers to a stone placed at the head of the grave.
How much does a headstone cost?
Headstones typically cost between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on size, material, and engraving.
How much does a tombstone cost?
Tombstones generally range from $1,500 to $4,000 based on customization.
