When we think of the memorials and tributes to loved ones in a cemetery, we often picture their memorial markers, whether they be headstones or other types of burial markers that sit atop or near where a loved one has been laid to rest. But just as no two loved ones are the same, there isn’t just one way to memorialize a loved one in a cemetery.
Let’s talk about some of the alternative options for tributes to your loved ones in cemeteries.
Alternative Options for Memorializing Your Loved One
Memorial Benches
Memorial benches are a great way to memorialize your loved one while also giving a gift to all those who loved them. These benches are located in cemeteries, often near the burial site of the person they’re honoring, and can be made from various materials. They typically have a plaque that marks who the bench is memorializing. This plaque gives you more space beyond a traditional memorial marker to commemorate the life of your loved one.
It also gives you more personalization options. For instance, a memorial bench placed next to an avid birdwatcher could provide a fitting tribute on the plaque about the ability of visitors to use the bench to sit and observe nature. Or someone who loved reading might have a memorial bench that says it’s “for those who wish to spend hours with a good book,” just as the loved one would have done.
Beyond the personalization options, it’s also a kind gesture for all those who may visit the cemetery, including family and friends of your loved one. Now they have a place to sit and rest, taking time in a tranquil place to reminisce, reflect, and feel close to the one they love and miss.
Trees
Another ideal alternative tribute option for a nature lover would be a memorial tree. Some cemeteries allow families and friends to plant memorial trees in honor of their loved one, typically marked by a plaque. These serve as an enduring, natural tribute. It’s a beautiful way to show that your loved one’s spirit lives on, as the tree stands as a symbol of everlasting love, forever growing toward the sky. It’s also an eco-conscious way to commemorate a loved one, which makes it a great tribute for someone who spent their life caring for the world around them.
Statues
While trees allow you to memorialize your loved one with natural beauty, you can also have a tribute filled with human-made beauty, such as statues. These intricate works of art can take so many different shapes. One of the most common types of statues seen in cemeteries is angels. You might consider an angel for a loved one or perhaps a Patron Saint that had strong meaning for them in life.
While religious statues are frequently found in cemeteries, there’s truly no limit to what you can choose, as long as the statue is respectful of the cemetery’s guidelines and of the other people resting in or visiting the cemetery.