With burial still the preferred method, Catholic monuments have a notable presence inside Sydney cemeteries. Rich in history, symbolism, and faith, a Catholic monument is a mark of respect for the departed and a place of remembrance for friends & family.
Below will explain everything you need to know about Catholic gravestones and offer advice when dealing with a monumental mason.
Memorials are generally purchased after the time of death, however there is an increasing demand for people to plan and purchase ahead of time. In this situation, the monument is created as normal (Including the inscription), with the date of death inscribed later on. Many people choose this option for headstones because they want the peace of mind that comes from choosing the design and style of their own headstone.
If you need to create a memorial but are not too sure about design:
When choosing a particular monument, it is important to understand that each cemetery and section have their own particular rules. Therefore it’s good advice to ask the cemetery administration about what memorials can be constructed in that particular area. To give you an idea of what can be made, here are some Catholic monument examples below:
When it comes to the inscription, there are no specific religious rules for what is written on a Catholic headstone. However, most people tend to follow a general pattern which includes the combination of:
What you can write will also come down to the amount of space on the memorial you have chosen. For more ideas about what to write, have a read through our headstone writing section, which provides more detail.
While there are other Catholic symbols used at the cemetery, here some the most popular symbols marked on gravestones:
If you’re interested in reading more about the meaning and significance of these symbols on headstones, check out this article.
To give a memorial an even more unique and symbolic look, some Catholics decide to place certain accessories on the gravestone. Typical things include:
