Gravestone markers are crafted to memorialize and honor your loved one. While routine care and maintenance will keep the gravestone looking presentable for years to come, you can still honor your loved one throughout the year by decorating the space. As an experienced gravestone maker, Derrick Monument Co based in Le Roy, NY, has put together a few tips on how to decorate your loved one’s monument.

• Floral Decorations: Flowers are one of the most popular decorations used at gravesites. If your loved one had a favorite flower or plant, consider decorating their monument with it. If it’s outside of the growing season, many cemeteries allow artificial flowers to keep the gravesite looking bright—even in winter.
• Holiday Decorations: Le Roy’s trusted gravestone maker recommends keeping an eye on the holidays. Decorate with ornaments, wreaths, flower arrangements, and knickknacks that reflect the season. However, with seasonal decorations, you’ll want to check with the groundskeeper to find out how long you can leave the decorations up. Some cemeteries require that you remove holiday decorations within a week of the holiday.
• Make Note of Special Occasions: Birthdays, anniversaries, and other special days are well-worth noting. Bring pictures, special mementos, and consider hosting a small memorial service at the site. This way, you and your family will be able to remember your loved one, share memories, and honor their life. However, if you choose to decorate the gravesite with candles and other items to mark the occasion, you may want to remove them at the end of the memorial service. This way, the gravestone looks clean and well-cared for.
• Plant a Tree: Depending on the rules at your cemetery, you may be able to plant a small tree or flowering bush to honor your loved one. When selecting a plant, check with your groundskeeper for any regulations on size or type and contact your gravestone maker to discuss any specific maintenance the monument may need—especially during the flowering season.