Losing a loved one is one of the most heartbreaking emotions that humans can feel. Upon someone’s departure from this world, the least we can do is to memorialize them. It honors their life and gives their family closure. A memorial plaque and final arrangement can allow the close ones the time to celebrate a life. And revisit it later.
If memory plaques are your choice of cemetery monument to honor them, you must know what to write. The fog of grief can make it challenging to think of words for plaque in memory of the deceased. But remember to get this sweet gesture right as it reflects the person’s life and lives on forever.
Deciding what to write on a memorial plaque is a deeply personal choice. But in this blog, we attempt to offer help in difficult times. Scroll down to learn more about memory plaques and tips on choosing meaningful wordings.
What is a Memorial Plaque?
A memory plaque is a plaque/plate made of stone built as a remembrance to honor the deceased. It is personal to your loved one and you. It is much more than a grave marker; it pays tribute and acts as a peaceful gathering location for families. While cemeteries or churchyards are the most common locations, other plaque location includes:
- Memorial bench
- Garden
- Building
- Flagpole
- Public building hallway
- Public artwork
- Painting
The location of the memorialization can be different depending on the person. For instance, the deceased person liked taking a stroll in a park, so the family decided to put the plaque on a bench. There are different materials available for either setting type. The standard materials are granite and bronze because of their beauty and durability.
Elements of a Memorial Plaque
A plaque for graveside can come in different materials, shapes, and sizes. Depending on the family’s preference and the plaque’s instalment location. It can be granite or bronze plaque for installation at lawn level or on a cemetery monument. There’s no hard and fast rule, but some elements are common in all plaques.
Here are some of them.
- An opening like “In Memory of.”
- Name of the deceased – It could be their full name or nickname.
- The person’s date of birth and death.
- A brief message or quote reflecting the person’s life or beliefs.
- A closing line like, “Gone but not forgotten.”
- Portraits of the departed.
- Decorative elements like flowers or religious symbols.
What to Say on a Memorial Plaque?
Each memorial tells a unique story. The in memory of plaque words show your love, respect, and gratitude towards the deceased. It helps families preserve their memories. It also allows people who pass the plaques to understand the person’s life or beliefs. But processing grief is hard let alone writing appreciation plaque wording. Here are some ideas that might inspire your words.
- Pick a Meaningful Opening: Most people skim through the plaques, so ensure the message is as brief as possible. It must reflect the plates reason and significance of the person simultaneously. Using common phrases like “In loving memory”, “In memory of”, “Forever in our hearts”, etc., is good. These phrases deliver the intended message smoothly.
- Mention their Life Span: Next is a traditional detail, the person’s date of birth and death. The date reminds the friends and family of the lifetime lived by the deceased loved ones. It can be as simple as 1/03/1961 – 15/09/2020, or March 1, 1961 – September 15, 2020, or written in full: Born March 1, 1961, and died September 15, 2020.
- Consider a Life Synopsis: A life synopsis is a small statement about the deceased person’s life. Some examples are “Her sweet smile will forever be missed”, “A dedicated husband, father, and friend”, etc.
- Consider a Quote: You can also consider writing a quote from the person’s favorite author or beliefs. You can also use their own words if they were writers or poets. If you decide to go with the quote, mention the credits. For example, “When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” – Unknown author.
- Personal Messages: If you don’t want to take quotes from others. It is best to put out something simple in your own words. It does not need to be fancy or poetic; it must convey your love for them. For example, you can write a phrase you and your deceased loved one used in conversations.
- Reason for the Memory Plaque: Some plaques can exhibit the reasons for their installation at certain locations. For instance, if the departed person loved a beach, their family could create a memorial. It could say, “To remember the sweet moments spent on this beach”, etc.
Things to Remember When Writing Memory Plaques
There are multiple ways to design, create, and write on plaques. The key is to be true to your emotions and consider the points below. These are some essential aspects to consider when choosing in memory of plaque phrases.
- Find Inspiration: The person being honored is an inspiration themselves, but researching might fetch you some more ideas. You can consider their favorite line from a poem, song, movie, bible verse, famous quote, etc.
- Stick to a Word Count: It is better to stick to a word count. The number of words depends on the size and shape of the plaque. The minimal the content the better as it’s easy to understand and keeps confusion at bay.
- Consider Plaque Size: The size is important because before you start composing a write-up, it is necessary to know how much it can fit. Plates usually come in standard sizes. However, confirm whether your cemetery allows the size before finalizing.
- Seek Expert Advice: Once you jot down some ideas or a write-up on paper, consider seeking expert advice. Listen to the expert’s feedback; they might point out things we overlook. Your sign maker understands what should go on a plaque better.
- Take Your Time: You don’t need to rush even when there’s a time crunch. These messages are like final words to your loved ones engraved on stone. Take your time, reflect, and talk to people to see whether the message fits or not.
- Consider Memorial Plaque Design: The words on the plaque for the graveside are important, but how they look is equally important as well. Ensure buying durable materials like granite, they will remain timeless and beautiful. Granite plaques are beautiful, durable, and classy. They will always outshine other materials and stand the test of time.
Simplicity is the best choice when considering cemetery monuments. At Stone Discover, we offer grave markers of all types. Besides plaques, some popular headstone shape and designs include black grave headstones, angel headstones, books shaped, upright headstones, slant marker, and Kerb sets. Everything is at the best price!
Stone Discover has been in the natural stone industry since 1984. We’re emerging as one of the leading granite headstones manufacturer & exporter in American, European, and African countries. Our stones are sourced, selected, and crafted straight from our quarries and factories in India. Get a Quote for a memorial plaque at wholesale prices today!
