A grave marker or monument serves two purposes. It lets people know where someone is buried, and it memorializes the decedent. In the past, families marked a loved one’s grave with whatever they had. It is not unusual to see rocks and pieces of wood marking graves in older cemeteries. Indeed, families maintained their own cemeteries for years before church graveyards became popular. Public cemeteries became the norm during the 19th century, and grave markers became more elaborate. The memorial was etched with the decedent’s name, date of birth and date of death. Additionally, people carved personal thoughts or bible verses on the monument.
Everything was more elaborate during Victorian times, and grave yards were no exception. Monuments became much larger, and sculptures were placed on the grave including doves and angels. Today, the process of making monuments is much more sophisticated. Skilled workers use Sand Blasting in New Haven to make beautiful designs on stones. Visit Shelley Brothers Monuments CT to see examples of their work. The mortsafe is one of the most interesting ways graves were marked. The mortsafe was an iron cage placed over a grave.
There are several different types of markers. The flat marker is flush to the ground and can be made with different stones. Upright headstones are the most common type of memorial used in cemeteries. It has a vertical top and a flat bottom. Interestingly, some of these markers can weigh close to 500 pounds. Traditionally, many spouses purchase double upright headstones. On the other hand, some individuals prefer slant markers. These markers are made in the same fashion as upright stones except they slant backwards.
A lot of craftsmanship goes into making a monument. A worker picks out a piece of stone large enough for the requested marker. The stone is polished using methods that have not changed a lot through the years. Next, engravers use a stencil to etch letters on the stone. However, many engravers use some type of computer software to help them with this process. After stenciling, workers use Sand Blasting in New Haven to smooth out the engraving. A lot of work goes into making the perfect monument. It usually takes several weeks to have the stone made and erected.
