Funerals and burials are an essential part of our life and society. Headstones, also referred to as gravestones and tombstones, have been used in funerals and burials for a long time. Their history stretches back thousands of years. According to Bannocksmemorials.co.uk, headstones were mainly used as memorials by the 17th century. The modern structures that are headstones were adopted in the 19th century. Read on to learn a brief history of headstones for graves.

Early Ages Headstones

The earliest headstones span back to 3000 B.C. during the times of the Celtic and Roman cultures. These headstones were referred to as grave markers. They were megalithic constructions used to designate a whole burial chamber. Unlike today, people in the early years were buried in small plots, and one burial chamber could be used to bury generations of a single family.

Dark Ages Headstones

Purgatory, afterlife, and hell stories spread in Europe during the dark ages following the fall of the Roman empire. This led to more use of more headstones in burials. Unlike the early ages, burial was moved to the streets, and headstones were inscribed with gothic symbols like skeletons and cherubs.

Late Renaissance Headstones

Headstones started gaining popularity in churchyard burials in the 17th century. Instead of entire chambers, headstones were used to mark individual graves or family graves. Headstones during this time were made using sandstone and slate with simple engravings detailing the deceased's name and year of birth and death.

Victorian Era Headstones

The Victorian era, at the beginning of the 19th century, experienced increased customized headstones. Headstone makers during this period started engraving personal epitaphs and drawings that celebrated the deceased. Also, symbols such as wings, crosses, and angels, were engraved on the headstones to highlight the deceased's personality, social class, religious beliefs, and other attributes.

Modern-Era Headstones

The modern headstones emerged in the late 19th century. They retain many characteristics from headstones in the Victorian era. However, modern ones are more personalized thanks to technology. Portraits and photographs of the deceased can be engraved on modern headstones. They are made using stones, granite, and marble, and are positioned upright at the head of a grave.

Your loved ones require the tribute they deserve in their last days on earth. It would be best to create a modern, customized tombstone to commemorate them. Contact a monument maker like Heritage Memorials Inc today to create your deceased loved one a personalized headstone.