When you lose a veteran, there are many ways to celebrate their life and the noble acts that filled it. While you can’t share their story with everyone, you can display it on a grave marker for the world to see. Use the following guide when planning your loved one’s monument to create a piece that honors their memory.

A Brief Guide to Veteran Gravestones

1. Material

If the government is providing your marker, you can choose between a granite or marble upright headstone and a granite, marble, or bronze flat marker.

If you choose to purchase a grave marker privately, you can request a medallion from the government, which will indicate your lost loved one was a U.S. veteran. These markers are available in a range of materials, including granite and marble. If you want an eye-catching memorial, an upright option will be more visible than a flat marker.

2. Inscription

When you choose to request a grave marker from the government, you’ll be restricted to the standard format, which includes an “emblem of belief” (cross, star, etc.), as well as your loved one’s name, rank, branch, awards, and birth and death dates. You may also request to add other credentials, such as “Dr.,” or a nickname.

If you choose to create your own grave marker, you can list your loved one’s years of service, write a personal epitaph, or include an engraving of them in uniform.

3. Placement

If your family member will be buried in a national cemetery for veterans, their grave site will be chosen and installed by the cemetery. While this prevents you from choosing a location, the service is complimentary.

If your loved one had a specific request (such as, “beneath a tree” or “in a family plot”), have the piece installed in a private cemetery. When choosing the placement, keep in mind that flat grave markers will be more vulnerable to erosion caused by the elements, so a shaded area will offer more protection.

If you’re looking to design a personalized grave marker for a beloved veteran, turn to Derrick Monument Inc of Le Roy, NY. Since 1915, they have been creating long-lasting monuments for their clients’ friends and family members. From material to lettering, they will customize all aspects of the design to fit your vision. They also offer power-washing and restoration services to keep the monument in perfect shape for generations. View images of their memorials online or call (585) 768-8470 to start a project.