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Many loved ones choose to embellish the headstones of their deceased family and friends with a symbol or design that represents their culture or something about the person who has died. Different headstone designs represent different ideas, ranging from religious beliefs to hobbies that the person enjoyed. Below are some of the most common symbols found on a gravestone and how choosing the right one can be a beautiful tribute to a loved one.

Popular Designs

Headstone designs can be unique and personal to more commonly used choices that are full of meaning and symbolism. Popular choices that represent religious beliefs for the family and the deceased include angels, crosses, and doves. Where the angels are the messengers between God and people, doves symbolize love and peace and the soul’s purity and resurrection to the next stage of life. Crosses are typically used to show religious devotion and faith in God.

headstoneThere are also symbols that represent the concept of rebirth as well as the natural life cycle and the movement of the soul. Butterflies are a popular choice for this concept, representing metamorphosis and the soul’s flight to the next plane. Circles signify eternity, with Celtic knots and crosses being a popular version of this idea, while flowers and plants like the daffodil and wheat mean rebirth, love, hope, and the cycle of life.

Some choose animals to represent the deceased. Foxes are known for their intelligence and owls for their wisdom. Lions represent courage and bravery and are also considered guardians to protect the area from evil spirits.

The Purpose of Symbols

Grave markers that utilize an image are a beautiful and simple way to say something about the deceased. Whether it is their religious beliefs or the concept that their soul is at peace in the next step of existence, headstones with these adornments are more personal to the individual who has died.

Besides choosing symbols that represent various concepts about faith, symbols can also be something special to that person. Some family members choose to etch a musical phrase on the gravestone that was important to their loved one. If the deceased had a hobby that was a large part of their life, they may have something that represents that on their monument, such as a book, a car, or a nautical symbol.

 

Choosing the perfect headstone for a loved one is an important step in paying homage to their life. Derrick Monument Company Inc. has helped families throughout New York find the right choice for more than a century. Their extensive options of urns, monuments, and cemetery headstones ensure you will find the perfect tribute for a loved one. Call (585) 768-8470 or visit their website to learn more about their services. 

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