You want the names and dates to be readable for years to come. On Catholic headstones, a good combination of stone, finish, and lettering achieves this. Consider who comes to pay respects, how far away that person is, and how often you want to clean it. Your choices should be centered on readability, contrast, and care. This looks excellent and functional, too.
In the Cemetery of the Holy Rood section, guidelines govern what materials and what kinds of finishes you use. In some areas, you can have standing stones with polished surfaces. In other areas, you have to provide flat markers with matte finishes. You should ask for the latest requirements for your specific plot.
In the area, you will observe a great many types of Gravestones memorials. Flat grave markers present a unified field and require you to view from near. Grave markers and upright stones bring the text into viewing range and assist in the visibility of lettering beneath the grass growth. Grave bench and ledge markers are suitable for family plots when the area permits it.
In St. Charles Cemetery Farmingdale, specify height, base width, and whether vases or panels are allowed. This impacts the space that is allocated for your name and poem. Verify the space allowed for your specific site so that letters are sized appropriately.
If so, your plan for the Holy sepulcher cemetery will call for a permit, a review of your layout plan, and a schedule of when your foundation will occur. It’s important to consider orientation to legibility. A surface placed in full sunlight may glare in the middle of the day. A surface with a face in permanent shade may require greater contrast. It’s best to ask which office your lot falls under so you can design with the sunlight in mind that will fall on your surface.
Decide On A Stone Detailed Enough
Granite shines with durability and readability. The weather will not deteriorate, it holds a clean edge, and several colors are available. However, when seeking the soft look of white, marble will read easily but weather quickly. Lighter granites will provide the same effect with a longer useful life. Get the samples outside to evaluate the readability of the letters from a few steps away.
Find The Contrast That Will Work Well Even In Bright Light Conditions
Contrast is your best ally. Light colors against dark stone are highly visible at a distance. Dark colors against light stone are good if there’s no color contrast in the design. A recessed panel that’s lightly textured in the background of your words adds good contrast without looking bulky. Take a step back six to eight feet and see if your main sign reads clearly. When it does, you’re headed in the right direction.
You can choose a finish that helps in readability. For example
A highly polished face reflects light and water, making the stone face easy to clean. A honed and steeled face produces a soft, textured appearance and reduces glare. A textured face may have more space for filming; plan accordingly. A polished panel for inscription in a softer background. Mix and match finishes on a stone.
Create Letters That Are Transportable Over Long Distances
Use styles of letters with open shapes, easy to read, with well-defined strokes. Roman and easy-to-read serif styles will work well in sunlight, shade, or any other condition. Scripts may appear elegant but may be difficult to read when moved back. Cut letters with a deeper cut will have a sharper edge than those cut shallow. It is advisable to use contrasting color in letters with paint.
Establish your order. The family name can rest on the base in larger lettering. Your personal names can then proceed on the face with your dates relegated below. As a rule of thumb, your dominant family name rests better at two to three inches. Your given names place well one and a half to two inches from the top. Your dates place well at one to one and a half inches.
A plain border encloses the inscription and distinguishes it from the background area. A recessed or frosted panel behind the inscription provides contrast without clutter. Thin lines can shape parts of an inscription so that the eye travels smoothly from the surname to the dates to the epitaph. A couple of well-chosen details accomplish more than many embellishments do.
Use Symbols And Paintings Carefully
Signs of faith should have meaning and not compete with the lettering. Keep them small in scale and in relation to the lettering. The cross or symbol may be placed above the name or centered in a small box. When a ceramic photo is included, make sure to confirm the approved sizes and surfaces. Back and white tends to stay readable the longest. The placement should not crowd the lettering.
Plan For Climate And Upkeep
Sun, rain, sprinklers, and trees are factors that influence readability. Standing fonts with water drainage tend to remain legible longer than flat signs. Stones under sprinklers might be prone to mineral staining. Heavy shadows might encourage growth. None of these are insurmountable problems. They are variables to work with. Select a combination of surfaces and contrast that is easily cleanable.
An even foundation helps ensure the face is square and legible. If your division permits a slight pitch, this helps alleviate pooling and staining. Just verify who is responsible for Section III installation and when pours happen. Many grounds have this happen in warmer weather. Your fabrication and installation schedule must have this rhythm.
Ask for a full size proof. Attach it to a wall at eye level and move six to eight feet away. Verify that it lists the family name first, then the first names, and finally the dates. Observe it for crowding around long first names. Make small adjustments at this stage. Even a minuscule variation in placement can make a huge difference in the serene and clear-cut look of the stone engraving.
Prices follow size, material, finish, and quantity of lettering. Additional elements of panels, emblems, and photographs also enter the equation line by line. Don’t be afraid to demand itemized pricing so you can accurately weigh the differences. If you decide to contrast by color or material, you need to know how it will affect more than pricing.
Coordinate Review And Installation
“The layout should be submitted with exact specifications for the material and finish. This way, the approval process is contained within the same folder. The expected time for finishing the review process and the next possible dates for the foundation should be requested. Milestones within the family should be shared with the team to plan for a smooth and realistic timeline.”
Go forward with clarity Choose a robust material and a font that supports legibility and is viewable from several steps back. Verify what your district or organization requires and what you need to provide. Your complete size proof and itemized price quote are important in securing an agreement and allowing you to confidently move forward.