Ever wondered how certain traditions came to be? One popular tradition that many people wonder about is headstones. These grave markers have a long and dense history, spanning thousands of years and leading right up to today. At William Kent Memorials, we have been providing memorial stonemason services for over 200 years, meaning we have experienced our fair share of its history. In this guide, you can discover where it all began, and how different eras and periods have had an impact on the production and style of headstones.
The Origins of Headstones
Headstones have, in some form or another, been around for thousands of years. While we might not recognise them, due to their differences from today’s headstones, headstones probably began with simple markers that were not engraved. It’s important to note that how different cultures approached the thought of death impacted how they treated their dead, which often resulted in wildly different treatments in ancient eras.
Early Practices
The earliest grave monuments generally would have been very simple, marked with a basic stone or a wooden marker. Additionally, as far as we know, cemeteries weren’t in existence just yet in the way we have come to recognise them. Some cultures did bury their loved ones together, however they were likely to have been buried together in a singular grave, rather than multiple individual ones.
Ancient Egyptian Burials
As believers in the afterlife, many Ancient Egyptians carried out highly complex and ritualistic burials to make sure that their deceased would make it safely to the afterlife. This often included mummification, a complex practice which involved removing organs from the deceased. A large part of the burial process was considering how the deceased would travel to the afterlife, which included their tomb and burial site.
Differences in wealth and class seemingly had a large impact on how the deceased were treated and honoured. Some of the poorer citizens had simple pit graves, while the wealthy and pharaohs would have elaborate structures that protruded from the ground, noticeably marking their gravesites. These burial structures included mastabas and pyramids, which would have taken significant time to build.
The Middle Ages
The Middle Ages saw an undeniable shift in how the deceased were treated and buried, which could be due to the influence of religious bodies at this time. Below, you can discover how the Middle Ages may have impacted the design of headstones and burials.
Christian Symbols
Around the time of the Middle Ages, Christian symbols were being introduced onto headstones. The cross became one particularly important symbol, as it represented the deceased’s faith in Christ and the promise of resurrection. Further links to Christianity also resulted in many headstones becoming standard in churchyards, which is a tradition that has prevailed for many Christians to this day. For many, churchyards replaced burial sites as a place to lay their deceased loved ones to rest.
The Evolution of Headstone Styles
Not only had headstones developed in size and quality, but they had also evolved in the styles available. Even today, this continues to be completely true, as trends and patterns associated with design change. This has given people a wider range of headstone options to choose from to help honour their loved ones and also creates variation in cemeteries.
Renaissance and Baroque Influences
Bringing along a revival of classic art, the Renaissance and Baroque periods had a large influence on several areas of life, including death and burials. Many headstones at this time reflected the revival of classic art, by incorporating personalised inscriptions and elaborate carvings to their design. These features could be used to convey details of the deceased better.
The Victorian Era
The Victorian Era, similar to the Renaissance, had a noticeable impact on the design of headstones. During this period, there was a marked revival in Gothic architecture, which also influenced gravestones. Many Victorian headstones began to feature pointed arches and ornate details, and others were large and stately.
During the 18th century, footstones were also introduced in addition to headstones, used to distinguish where a grave began and where it ended. While this wasn’t the case for all graves, this addition has lasted the test of time and is still an option for many today.
Modern Innovations in Headstone Design
Today, the grave markers we use to honour our loved ones typically vary widely from the simple stones that were used in the past. Our headstones now come in various styles and materials, which is largely due to the expertise offered by professional memorial stonemasons.
Advances in Stonemasonry
With technological advances, many areas of our lives and how they are approached have been changed. This surprisingly also includes the stonemasonry industry, particularly when it comes to headstones. Today, many businesses offer laser engraving on headstones, which allows them to create both intricate and detailed designs that can easily meet specific requirements.
Materials
As a result of the evolution of headstones, modern people have a wide range of materials to choose from when looking for the right headstone to honour their deceased loved one. Generally, professional memorial stonemasons will offer headstones in robust yet aesthetically pleasing materials, helping to ensure the headstone is beautiful yet lasts a long time.
Personalisation and Engraving Options
Today, we have many personalisation and engraving options available when choosing a headstone. Popular inscriptions and symbols will likely be readily available, however many stonemasons can offer bespoke engraved headstones. This allows the loved ones of a deceased person to choose a dedication or inscription that is significant to them.
The Significance of Bespoke Headstones Today
Modern headstones are available in a range of sizes, styles and materials, making it easy for the bereaved to find the right option for their loved ones. While some headstone options will be readily available, many people choose to opt for bespoke options that have been decorated and shaped to their loved ones' specifications.
Personal Significance
Marked graves are important to many people, as they give us a space to return to and to pay our respects to our loved ones who have passed on. Many people care for their loved ones’ graves just as they cared for the person before, making it worth having a beautiful headstone that celebrates the life of the deceased.
Engraved Memorials in Lincolnshire
As a family-run business, we understand how important your loved ones are to you. Our bespoke memorials here at William Kent Memorials are designed to be a long-lasting testament to someone who has passed on, honouring them for years to come. We offer our products across Lincolnshire, so if you’re looking for a memorial stonemason near Boston, we are here to help.
Our Restoration Services
If you’re worried about the appearance of your loved one’s headstone that has been resting for some time, it may be time to arrange restoration services. In addition to crafting headstones themselves, we offer high-quality cleaning and restoration services at William Kent Memorials that can bring even the oldest headstones back to their former glory. Our team of experts will take the utmost care, using our business’s over 200 years of experience to provide a great service.
Reach Out to Us
As you have read, humans have been honouring their deceased loved ones by placing markers on their gravesites for centuries. At William Kent Memorials, we pride ourselves on offering bespoke headstones and memorials that will honour your loved one for years to come. Please visit our website or contact us directly to discover the services we offer.