Deciding on the right quote for a monument for a lost loved one is a difficult choice to make. You want it to represent their personality, passions, and outlook on life—but the task of choosing from the endless possibilities for quotes and sayings can be daunting. Thankfully, the compassionate engravers at McGee Monument in Morrilton, AR, are here to help.

They have some basic guidelines that, if followed, will help you find the right memorial message to honor the life of the person you lost: 

• Give It Time: The decision of what to engrave on a monument is too large to be rushed. Losing a loved one is an emotional time, and your feelings will ebb and flow. As such, plan to allow six months to a year (or more) before making your final decision. Whether you pick a favorite poem or a bible verse, you’ll be able to make a better choice if your emotions have been given the time to settle.
• Consider the Voice: Your loved one may have had a saying of their own that you want to engrave on their monument in the first person. If it’s a poem, a third person voice would probably be more appropriate. You might even want it to be a message directly to the lost loved one. Depending on the message, carefully consider what voice works best.
• Less is More: Short, richly emotional memorial messages tend to be the most effective. You also want it to be engraved large enough that it can be read without difficulty. 
• Get Together: It may be helpful to get together with close family members so everyone can share their own tombstone message ideas. If they were religious, a verse from their holy book may be ideal. If they loved a certain author, perhaps pick a quote that sums up their perspective. A few family members might have similar ideas, making the process easier.

If you’re looking for someone to help you engrave a monument, get in touch with the thoughtful and experienced memorial engravers at McGee Monument. They’ll work with you from beginning to end to get the perfect, personalized look and feel you need, so you can honor your loved one with a memorial as beautiful as they were. Call them at (800) 750-0177 or visit them online to find out which of their seven locations is closest to you.