Commemorating your loved one after they have passed is, of course, one of the most essential parts of the grieving process. You and your family will want to remember their remarkable life, the laughs you have shared and the love you have for them. Naturally, there are many ways in which you will want to do this and a headstone is one of them. There are many different types of headstones and you will want to pick a bespoke one for you and your loved one. Though, the world of headstones can be a complex one, especially when you are grieving. So, have a read of this blog to find out more.
A headstone marks where you have laid your significant other to rest. This is the spot where you will come to be with them and think about the happy memories over the years. It should be a place of peace, a corner of the world where everything can be pushed aside so you can think in quiet. There are many ways to make this spot an oasis and the chances are that you will already be thinking about these different ideas. A flower bed, for example, is often a lovely addition and will brighten up this space for all of its visitors. Though what about headstones?
What is a headstone?
Essentially a headstone is a marker. The stone object signifies the area of land where a person has been laid to rest after they have passed. However, these stones are often inscribed with messages, poems, and sometimes prayers. Essentially, these are placed at the final resting place to act as a symbol to the person who has passed away to commemorate them and celebrate their life. These stones are also usually crafted in a variety of shapes and sizes using premium stone to create a lasting memorial.
The history of headstones
It will probably come as no surprise to our readers that headstones have been around for some time. In fact, in some iteration or another, these stones have been a part of human culture for thousands of years. This is just another reminder that a beautiful bespoke headstone can be just the right touch to commemorate your loved one's life. The stones have passed through many different religions and now they are used throughout almost the entire spectrum of the world's faiths. Though you will likely want to have a headstone if your family holds no faith but don’t worry, here at Stewarton Memorials we can accommodate every eventuality.
The oldest known grave in the world is believed to be between 80,000 and 100,000 years old which is ancient by anyone’s definition. The fact is that humans have been burying their dead for thousands of years and religion has always been the centre point for this. Of course, we do not have any evidence that headstones were ever used in these burials as the sites are incredibly old. However, do know that we started burying our loved ones around this time and from there everything else followed. So, when do historians think we start using actual headstones?
Neolithic age
During the Neolithic or ‘Stone Age’ humans first began using stones to mark the area where their dead were left to rest. Of course, there is little evidence to suggest that we started to use them earlier and historians and scientists alike agree that the Neolithic time is the most likely period that we first started this tradition. So, between 3,000 and 6,000 years ago is when we first started using a stone to mark the burial site of each individual person. Though during this time there were no cemeteries. Instead, the hunter-gatherers would simply bury their loved ones nearby to the settlement in essentially the most convenient place.
Cemeteries
The iterations of the cemetery marked the true beginning of what we know now as the modern headstone. There was now a designated place where we would bury our dead and commemorate their passing. There are some known cemeteries that date back over eight and a half thousand years though you might be surprised to hear that they didn’t make it into mainstream popularity until the 17th and 18th centuries. However, after this time the headstone really exploded in popularity and nowadays it is one of the most popular parts of modern burials.
The rise of headstones
In the 17th century, headstones began to see a significant rise in popularity and in Europe especially it was now common practice to have one over a grave. Perhaps this is thanks to the emergence of the cemetery or maybe the growing popularity of Christianity has something to do with it. Either way, this form of commemoration was now common practice in most of western Europe. So, thanks to this new wave of headstones the practice of carving ornate designs and messages into the headstone began to grow and we started to see stones that resemble the modern version.
Inscriptions
Though there were a few headstones in the late 17th century that featured inscriptions and messages on them, this was a practice reserved for the wealthy. This kind of stone masonry cost a fortune in these times as the time and effort required were far more than it is now. So, only those within royal families or large wealthy families had these. However, during the 1800’s the technology within stone masonry vastly improved and it became far more accessible for people to add inscriptions to their headstones. So, ever since then, we have seen inscriptions on these stones.
Benefits of headstone cleaning
When it comes to your loved one's headstone you will want to make sure that it is as clean as possible. After all, this is the place where you will come to remember them, the place that should bring peace to your soul and the place where you can rest for a little while. The headstone being clean will mean that this area will be just as you would want it and a space of true tranquillity. What’s more, all of your family members and friends will also want to visit the grave often and you will want to keep the space in brilliant condition for them also.
However, maintaining the headstone will also have another benefit. There are many headstones across the country that have not been kept clean over the years and aside from this making them look old and tired it also damages the stone. Of course, a damaged stone will cost a fair amount to fix or replace, so make sure that you have yours regularly cleaned by a team of professionals to avoid this.
How headstone cleaning works
When it comes to headstone cleaning you will want to hire a team of professionals to do the job so you get the finish you and your family desire. The fact is that stone masonry is a tricky and difficult task and one wrong step could mean disaster for the stone's integrity. A team of trained professionals will be able to thoroughly clean your headstone with a selection of unique tools without damaging or compromising the stone. DIY attempts at this sort of cleaning process can often prove incredibly costly to repair which is why it is always better to seek professional help.
If you’re after a professional headstone cleaning service then here at Stewarton Memorials we can certainly help. Our experienced team have been working with headstones for many years and we know what it takes to clean a headstone well and efficiently. This kind of dedication has meant that, over the years, we have built up an incredible reputation for quality, consistency, and affordability. Centrally then we are the people for the job. Here at Stewarton Memorials, we understand that your loved one's headstone is incredibly important to both you and your family which is why we treat it with utmost care and respect.
We also provide a variety of other services from subscriptions to memorials. So make sure you contact us today to find out more about our range of brilliant services.
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