Have you ever wondered what the correct term for a grave marker is? You&#;re not alone.
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When planning a memorial, the terminology can become confusing&#;especially when some words like headstone, tombstone and gravestone seem interchangeable.
When you dive into the origin of each term, however, you&#;ll learn of the subtle differences that give each their own unique meaning.
Continue reading to learn where the terms headstone, tombstone and gravestone came from and how we use them in the stoneworking industry today.
What Is a Headstone?
The term headstone is used to describe an upright stone at the head of a grave. &#;Headstone&#; is the term we most commonly use at Milano Monuments.Prior to its origination in , headstone was once a synonym for the term cornerstone. A cornerstone is a ceremonial stone that sits in the corner of a building, oftentimes joining two exterior walls together. Cornerstones were significant for a few reasons: They contained information about the structure being built and provided a reference point for every other stone used in the foundation of the building.
Over time, the definition of headstone evolved and eventually became more synonymous with grave marker than cornerstone. In its later usage, headstones were engraved with important information of someone who passed, like their name, birth and death dates, and on occasion a memorial quote or picture.
What Is a Tombstone?
Today, a tombstone shares the same definition as a headstone. It&#;s an upright stone that sits at the head of a grave&#;oftentimes containing personalized engraved or etched elements.
Greek in origin, the term tombstone was adapted by the English language in the mid-s and was used to describe the lid of a stone coffin. In Greek, the word &#;tymbos&#; means &#;burial mound&#; while the word &#;stia&#; means &#;pebble.&#; From there, &#;tymbos&#; evolved into &#;tomb&#; and &#;stia&#; became &#;stone.&#;
Tombstone is not a common term we use at Milano Monuments, but since the evolution of its definition, it&#;s not incorrect to refer to a headstone as a tombstone as well.
What Is a Gravestone?
Gravestones were once used to describe a large stone slab that covered the entire grave. Similar to the origin of headstone and tombstones, gravestones were sometimes engraved with information about an individual.
Middle English in origin, the word gravestone dates back to - . When most think of a gravestone, they think of a vertical, standing grave marker. However, today a gravestone more closely resembles a grave ledger&#;a large stone slab featuring lengthier information like a loved one&#;s genealogy or a list of their accomplishments.
At Milano Monuments, we use the term gravestone interchangeably with the term headstone, but not as frequently.
For more information, please visit headstone, gravestone & tombstone differences.
Explore More Memorial Terminology
The terms headstone, gravestone and tombstone once meant very different things. However, over time they have evolved to share similar meanings. If you&#;re interested in learning more about unique memorial terminology and other related memorialization topics, subscribe to our blog and receive resources directly in your inbox.
Do you know the difference between a headstone, gravestone or tombstone? These terms are used interchangeably to refer to grave markers, but there used to be distinct differences between them. Here&#;s an overview of what these terms mean. Rest assured that when you&#;re purchasing headstones for graves today, your memorial stone manufacturer will walk you through your options.
Tombstones and gravestones
Traditionally, tombstones and gravestones refer to large stone slabs that were placed on the top of tombs or graves, which secured the grave from grave robbers and other intruders (natural or otherwise). The word &#;gravestone&#; dates back to the s, while &#;tombstone&#; originated in the s.
Headstones
The headstone is the monument placed at the head of the grave, which usually bears the deceased&#;s name, birth and death dates and other important information. This is the most modern term, first appearing in .
Monuments and cenotaphs
While &#;tombstone,&#; &#;gravestone&#; and &#;headstone&#; are all used interchangeably today, there is one interesting distinction between these terms and &#;monuments.&#; The former three terms are used to refer to stone markers that designate where someone is buried. Monuments, on the other hand, are often used to describe group burial sites, such as family burial plots. Perhaps you&#;ve noticed married couples buried together with the same headstone: those are technically monuments.
If the deceased isn&#;t buried at the site, these markers are referred to as &#;cenotaphs,&#; which is Greek for &#;empty tomb.&#; If you&#;ve ever been to a military cemetery where soldiers are honored&#;despite not being able to recover their bodies&#;those are a great example of cenotaphs.
General guidelines
When you need to purchase a headstone for a grave, it doesn&#;t matter whether you refer to what you want as a headstone, tombstone or gravestone. Your memorial company will make sure to ask questions to ensure they understand exactly what you&#;re looking for. In fact, you might opt for a grave marker (usually a flat bronze plaque) or another type of memorial stone.
Depending on where you live and the cemetery you&#;ve chosen, there may be other options available. For example, the cemeteries of New Orleans and Paris are famous for their above-ground mausoleums. (In New Orleans, they&#;re a must due to the high water table.) Alternatively, you may choose a cemetery that allows or encourages footstones, smaller stones placed at the foot of the grave with fewer engravings.
Whichever type of memorial you choose, getting the right headstones for graves is an important part of laying a loved one to rest. Be sure to work with a memorial company that prides itself on its experience and quality of service, like Phillipsburg Memorial Company. Our family-owned business has spent decades creating beautiful, unique monuments that will honor loved ones for years to come.
If you have questions about headstones, gravestones, tombstones or other monuments, reach out to Phillipsburg Memorial Company today to arrange a consultation. We&#;d be glad to assist you in selecting and inscribing the right memorial for your loved one.
Categorised in: Headstone
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