Whether you’re making prearrangements for your own end-of-life celebration or planning someone else’s funeral service in Toronto, one of the most important choices you’ll make is in regard to selecting a headstone. This marker is a tribute to the life lived that will last for many generations to come. It should tastefully embody the individual’s personality and his or her importance to family members.

Determine a Budget and Understand Associated Fees

It’s easy to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a headstone, but you don’t have to. A simple, flat gravestone will likely cost about $1,000, but upright markers are significantly more. It’s best to have a budget in mind before you start shopping. Also, keep in mind that there will be additional fees for installation and many cemeteries have maintenance fees.

Familiarize yourself with Cemetery Restrictions

The majority of burial grounds have rules around what types of headstones you can place on a grave. The cemetery might constrain your choice of size, style and materials. Become well acquainted with these limits and make sure you select your marker accordingly.

Choose the Style, Size, Material and Colour

Headstones are available in a variety of options. They can be made out of granite, marble, limestone or bronze and can be flat or upright. Colour can vary depending on the type of material you select. Granite in particular comes in many different hues and shades. The shape is another consideration. To become more familiar with the options available for your funeral service in Toronto, you can stroll within a nearby cemetery or browse your dealer’s catalogue.

Decide upon an Epitaph and Image

Your epitaph might simply be a name and set of dates, but could potentially also say something about the significance of the life lived. How much you write will depend on the size of the headstone and the font used. In addition to the actual words, you may also wish to incorporate an image of religious or personal significance (suppliers typically have a catalogue of images to choose from).

Select Accessories

Provided the cemetery allows it, you can choose a number of accessories for your headstone. Some of the possible options include:

• Statues

• Vases

• Pot holders

• Flag holders

• Ceramic pictures

Consult our Funeral Service Director

If you feel overwhelmed by the required steps or simply need a referral to a Toronto supplier who can make your headstone, contact us at Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles - Newbigging Chapel Ltd. Our funeral home provides complete end-of-life services, and our caring staff are available to help you plan all aspects of the funeral service.