Headstones are an important part of our culture. They're what we use to denote the final resting place for our loved ones. They also serve as a memorial for others so that they can feel close to their loved ones and pay their respects for years to come. The process of creating headstones is an art form that should be highly respected. Let's take a look at how headstones are made.

Monument Selection and Preparation

The first step in the headstone production process is selecting the design for the monument. For instance, is the memorial meant to be for one person alone, or will it be a double monument for a two people to share? Does the cemetery receiving the monument have any regulations that need to be adhered to? Once the design is finished and confirmed, the primary cutting and shaping can begin. The cutting of such hard materials is done with pneumatic drills or water jet cutting.

Polishing

Once the stone has been cut and shaped, it needs to be polished. This helps to create a smooth, beautiful surface. This part of the process is done with a stone polishing machine. These have varying degrees of grit. After the polishing, the headstone gets an aluminum or tin oxide powder coating. The coating gives the stone a shiny finish.

Shaping and Finishing

Next, the headstone should be further shaped and finished. During this step, the precise shape and dimensions that have been requested will be created. At this stage, many headstones are finished by hand.

Engraving

The engraving of a headstone is a solemn and important part of the process. The words that have been chosen are precious to the family and perhaps to the individual if they chose the words themselves. Following engraving, the final product will be carefully cleaned and transported to its final destination.

Headstone production is a serious business, and each step mentioned above is done with care and precision despite the high volume of requests. According to the Cremation Association of North America, over 2.4 million funerals take place every single year in the United States, which translates to tons of headstones requested. If you're looking for headstone products, please contact us at Heritage Memorials Inc today to get started with our expert team.