Headstones commemorate lost loved ones and preserve their legacy long after they’ve gone. Headstones unfortunately don’t last forever and can suffer damages from weather, wear and tear, and other factors which can result in you wanting to have them fixed or replaced. Or perhaps the headstone itself is in good condition, but you want to have the inscriptions made more prominent, changed, or have more added to it. There are many reasons why you may want to have a headstone of a loved one changed. 

Here’s what you need to know about how headstones can be changed.

Sinking

Headstones can sink into the ground over time, due to the natural erosion process. This process can be accelerated depending on the weight and height of the headstones as well as the soil it is on. This can be cause for concern, especially if the headstone sinks to the point where the inscriptions become covered by dirt.

In the event of a sinking headstone, you can change them through adding a base. This both increases the height of the headstone itself and anchors it, effectively counteracting the sinking. In addition to this, adding a base to a headstone adds a nice touch to your loved one’s grave. 

Faded Inscriptions

The inscriptions on your loved one’s headstone are arguably the most important part, seeing as they are the focal point and the way to identify your loved one’s grave. The inscription of a grave usually includes their name, their birthday, their death date, and any life details their family wishes to include, as well as any potential memorable quotes, favorite phrases, and even engraved art of something they loved. 

Over time, inscriptions fade. They can go from sharp, clear, and distinct, to faded and illegible due to exposure to the elements and plants that can wear away at the lettering. Having your loved one’s headstone cleaned properly and routinely can help it maintain its crispness. In the event that that is not enough, professionals can restore your loved one’s headstone and its inscriptions for you. 

In the event that your loved one’s headstone has withstood extensive weathering and it cannot simply be cleaned and redone, you can have the headstone as a whole replaced.

Chips And Cracks

Headstones are sturdy and the most damage they typically suffer from is from the weather, be it rain, wind, or sun. Headstones can also be cracked and chipped, though. This can happen from more intense weather, like ice storms, as well as from impact, such as from a fallen tree or from being hit by a car. You would be rightfully upset if you went to visit your loved one’s grave only to find that their headstone has been damaged like this. 

Chipped or cracked headstones can be repaired, but if the damage is truly extensive, you would certainly want to know if your loved one’s headstone can be changed. The answer is that yes, they can. If repair is not enough, your loved one’s headstone can be replaced. 

Updated Information

One of the most common reasons why people ask if headstones can be changed is because they want to add new information or names or dates to it, such as if a spouse passed away after their life partner and wished to be buried together. With how common a request this is, this is certainly a change you can make to a headstone. You can hire a professional to update the information on a headstone to what you wish it to be. 

Headstone Replacement

As you see, there are a number of ways in which you can have a headstone replaced. Sometimes though, you may simply want to replace the headstone entirely, be it for one of the reasons listed above, or for something else. In order to have a headstone replaced, you’ll need to have a conversation with your cemetery and work with them throughout the process.

If the cemetery approved the headstone replacement, you can choose a new one and arrange for the removal of the previous headstone. Since headstones are such an important decision, it’s important to take your time deliberating over your headstone replacement, to ensure that it is something you and your loved one would like for a long, long time.

Do You Have Questions About Headstones?

Here at Russon Mortuary and Crematory, we know how important choosing a headstone is and how you may wish to have changes made to your loved one’s headstone over time. We want to help you make the best choice possible. Contact our experts here at Russon Mortuary and Crematory to learn more about headstones.