A tombstone is a stone, slab or sculpture above a grave. It is established in order to honor the memory of the deceased. Tombstones are not the same in different religions and cultures: they vary in form, materials, style and type of execution. Let's talk about what forms of monuments to a grave can be.
Classic types of tombstones
Tombstones can be made in the form of a simple vertical plate with a rounded or pointed top. Such forms of monuments to the grave are characteristic of the Christian religion.
In the West, horizontal tombstones are very common, which lie flat on the ground. They are chosen because of the rather low cost.
Monuments to the grave in the form of an obelisk are less common. An obelisk is a tall conical monument, standing on a square base and usually tapering upward. Obelisks can be cultural monuments or crown mass graves, but they are rarely installed in cemeteries. The fact is that such tombstones cost a lot of money.
The described forms of monuments to the grave are found in Christian culture. They are also characteristic of Jews and Muslims. In the cemeteries of the West you can also see special gravestones on the graves of the military, a variety of sculptures, memorial benches and even small chapels.
Let us dwell in more detail on unusual and surprisingly beautiful tombstones.
Monumental sculptures - monuments endowed with soul
Sculptures on the graves are installed since the Renaissance. Sometimes they have a portrait resemblance to the deceased and reflect his character in a pose or facial expression, and sometimes they depict sorrow itself, embodied in the image of an angel or a woman in deep mourning. We list the famous types of mourning ritual monuments on the graves of the dead, made in the form of statues.
- Angels They are usually portrayed in a humble, sorrowful pose.
- Cherubs are babies with wings. Most often, such statues are installed on the graves of children.
- Children. Sometimes, at the burial sites of children, the sculptures depict the most departed child, mourning his untimely departure from life.
- Women mourners. Their presence in the cemetery expresses sadness from the loss of a loved one.
- Draped pillars or steles. Columns and pillars themselves are symbols of a noble life. Drapery means mourning, sadness, and humility.
One of the most famous memorial sculptures is the angel of sorrow. It was created by the American sculptor William Whitmore in 1894, now it is located on the grave of the artist himself and his wife. Other tomb sculptures were created in the image of the angel of sorrow.
Memorial benches
Such forms of monuments to the grave are not common here. To a greater extent they are characteristic of the West. They are placed in public places or next to the graves of deceased relatives.
The most famous memorial benches are in memory of American writer John Walter Lord the Younger, rock and roll singer Ian Dury, Nobel laureate in physics, Cecil Frank Powell.
