The circle of life may be the same across all cultures, but how we view loss is unique from one to another.
Similar to how food varies from culture to culture—groups often differ in what, how and when they eat, as well as how the food is prepared—memorialization and loss are also unique.
Continue reading to learn the history of cultural headstones and how different cultures have their own way of designing memorials.
The History of Headstones
Headstones are a tradition that have been in existence since 3,000 B.C. Originally, they were reserved for the middle and upper classes. But when cultural diversity became more widespread, headstones became a staple of burial for all.
Originally, headstones were made from slate or sandstone. However, in the 1900s, some cultures started designing headstones with their own materials such as wood (Norway), marble (Greece) and granite (United States).
Incorporating Your Culture Into Headstone Design Through Symbols
One design element often seen on headstones is engraved or etched symbols. Headstone symbols are a mark or character that represents the life of a lost loved one and can differ from culture to culture.
For example, the anchor is a symbol of steadfastness. Early Christians used it as a disguised symbol of the cross. Books or scrolls, on the other hand, often signify faith for early Evangelists.
Angels, candles and flowers may also be used to represent a loved one’s cultural identity. The angel, for example, may appear in many different poses, each with its own individual meaning:
- An angel with open wings is thought to represent the flight of the soul to heaven.
- A weeping angel symbolizes grief, especially mourning an unexpected death.
- An angel blowing a trumpet may depict the Day of Judgment for Christians.
Some Asian cultures will feature the dharma wheel or lotus flower on their memorials. The wheel symbolizes the quest for enlightenment in Buddhism, while the flower represents beauty and detachment in Hinduism.
Other symbols include animals, such as a lion to protect a grave from unwanted spirits. It symbolizes the bravery and courage of the departed.
>>> Read our blog about cemetery symbolism to learn the meaning behind other headstone design elements.
Cultural Headstone Design Ideas
Loss is marked in many ways around the world and is often communicated through headstone design. Below are five examples of how different cultures can have their own unique headstone designs.
Irish Headstones
Irish communities often view final arrangements as a celebration of life—one last gathering to honor their lost loved one. Irish headstones often depict the Celtic cross which is a symbol of combining two faiths. The cross represents Christianity and the circle represents eternity, having no beginning and no end.
Jewish Headstones
Jewish headstones often include the English and/or Hebrew names of the lost loved one, their date of birth and death, and their relationship to other family members. It’s also common to include the Star of David in the headstone design.
Ukrainian Headstones
On the days following Easter, Ukrainian rituals celebrate Provody—a remembrance event for honoring and remembering their ancestors. Families gather at the gravesites to say goodbye to their loved ones again and celebrate their lives. You’ll often see Ukrainian headstones heavily decorated at this time of year.
Italian Headstones
Because of limited space, in-ground burials are rare in Italy. Instead, caskets are often stacked and placed in mausoleums. Italians also tend to treat cemeteries like park grounds where loved ones can explore and enjoy picnics.
Chinese Headstones
Traditional Chinese headstones depict inscriptions of an ancestor's dates of birth and death, their ancestral home or alternate names. Even headstones located outside of China may contain Chinese characters identifying the loved one's ancestral county, town or village in China.
Design the Perfect Cultural Headstone
Incorporating elements of your culture is just one of the many design features to consider when personalizing a headstone. Discover even more about memorial design in our Headstone Design Guide. You'll learn what questions to ask before purchasing a memorial, as well as headstone design tips and options.
