When you plan the burial of a family member, you need to create a gravestone for their final resting place. Many families choose to inscribe epitaphs on memorials to pay tribute to the lives of those they lost. The guidelines below may help you come up with an appropriate phrase to honor your loved one. 

How to Create an Epitaph for a Gravestone

1. Take Your Time

An epitaph is a permanent tribute, so take your time to write it. Come up with a few different ideas by researching examples online.

Involve other family members or people who had close connections with your loved one to decide what works best. The more people are involved, the easier it may be to decide.

2. Consider Their Personality

No matter what you choose, it should fit your loved one’s personality and belief system. 

If they were religious, use a quote from a sacred text of their faith. If they loved to make jokes, you might use one of their humorous quotes for a personalized tribute.

3. Be Concise

In most cases, it’s best to keep the inscription brief. After including personal details on the gravestone, there may be limited space available.

Writing a short sentence or two keeps the text clean and easy to read. Larger text is also more visible from a distance, helping you locate the memorial.

The design of a gravestone is a personal decision. In Le Roy, NY, Derrick Monument Company Inc. has helped families create monuments for their loved ones since 1915. They will help you come up with a standout inscription and choose a material that creates a visually appealing tribute. All engravings are performed in-house by skilled artisans with years of experience. Visit the website to see their selection of monuments, or call (585) 768-8470 to discuss your needs.