When a loved one dies, one of the most meaningful ways to keep their memory alive is by visiting their grave and leaving a quiet decoration on their headstone. Flowers, small tokens, and treasured items are just a few of the ways you can show your appreciation for the departed. For other meaningful ideas on what to leave at a gravesite, view the following list.

What Items Should Be Left on a Headstone?

1. Flowers

Leaving flower bouquets next to a headstone is a time-honored way of showing love and appreciation to a departed friend or relative. Many cemeteries incorporate built-in vases. Choose the departed’s favorite flower or something otherwise symbolic and meaningful.

Keep in mind that some locations have rules that only allow artificial flowers. Check that the flowers you want to leave are within the cemetery’s guidelines. 

2. Holiday Decorations

Create new family traditions by gathering members together to leave holiday decorations on your loved one’s grave to help keep their memory alive. Leaving festive gourds and squashes at Halloween and Thanksgiving, tasteful white paper arrangements for Yom Kippur, holly wreaths at Christmas, or ornamental lanterns for Ramadan are all beautiful ways to show appreciation during holiday seasons.

3. Stones

Originally a Jewish custom, leaving a small pebble or rock on a grave is a simple and understated indication that it is visited and cared for. Some theories behind this custom include the belief that graves in ancient Israel were made from piles of stones.

4. Coins

It’s thought that the practice of leaving coins on graves could date back to the Greek custom of burying their dead with coins to pay for passage across the River Styx. The tradition transformed over the years, becoming a popular way for those without the means to pay for floral arrangements or other decorations to show their affection. Coins are often collected by cemetery staff to help pay for the cost of upkeep.

5. Small Flags

Leaving behind a small American flag is an excellent way to show appreciation for a deceased loved one that was a military veteran. These can be a moving visual tribute to those who gave their service to the United States in peace and wartime.

When you’re looking for an exquisitely crafted headstone to honor a deceased loved one, you can count on Derrick Monument Company Inc in Le Roy, NY. This family-owned business has been creating beautiful markers and memorials for more than a century. Their expert engravers can craft pieces from a wide variety of materials, always keeping in mind personal tastes and desires. Call (585) 768-8470 or visit them online to find out more about their services.