When selecting a gravestone for your deceased loved one, you could be thinking that paying for the most expensive marker will be the best way to memorialise the life of your loved one. While this is a thoughtful sentiment, it is important to note that the purchase of a gravestone does not involve a singular upfront cost. Several factors need to be considered, and without proper planning, you will end up spending a whole lot more than you initially thought you would. Fortunately, knowing what to have in mind will give you a guide on what to splurge on and what you can do without. Read on to discover just two of the various elements that will influence the overall cost of a gravestone.

The cost of the material

The typical expense that most people associate with gravestones is the cost of the material. While you could elect to utilise unconventional supplies, the most common materials that are a staple in cemeteries are marble and granite. You may even find that the cemetery you have chosen for deceased loved one's resting place has specified that only these two materials can be used as headstones.

When it comes to cost, granite is more affordable than marble. It is a highly durable material and is available in a few different colours. Marble, on the other hand, does come with a high price tag, but it is bound to provide the gravesite with a polished look. Moreover, marble comes with unique veining and stunning colours that will make the burial site stand out.

The cost of engraving

For the gravestone to be identifiable, it needs to be engraved. The amount of money that you pay for this service will depend on the type of technique you want to be used as well as how long the message will be. Monument engraving is a technique where the letters are created via etching. This type of engraving is the most common technique employed and happens to be the most affordable too. Once the letters are etched into the stone, they are painted to enhance their legibility.

Another engraving option that you can consider is raised polish. This technique entails the removal of the polished parts of the stone surrounding the lettering. The finished result is raised letters that are already glossy. Lastly, you could choose to have a plaque engraved separately rather than the stone, and then attach the plaque onto the marker. This option can be an affordable solution to some individuals since less labour is involved in engraving a plaque rather than the gravestone itself. However, you would have the factor in the type of metal used for the plaque as well as how extensive the inscription is.