Creating the perfect tribute to a loved one who has died can be a difficult task, with many styles to pick from to reflect the individual. Whether you prefer understated simplicity or an ornate memorial, there are many different options for the headstone and grave.
One way to craft a beautiful, long-lasting monument is to add a figurine to the memorial. This can be made from many different types of material to complement the main headstone and can add a very personal touch to the final resting place.
Many churches and cemeteries have different rules about the size and shape of memorial figures allowed, but here is a guide to some of the most beautiful and fitting tributes you may want to consider.
Angels and cherubs
Figurines of angels and cherubs have been around for centuries and remain one of the most popular types of figurines on memorials.
Cherubs are used for both child and adult graves whilst angels are primarily used for adult memorials. An angel figurine represents protection and spirituality, and is traditionally used to symbolise guardianship, paving the way to heaven.
There are many different types of angel figurines that are often seen, and each one has a traditional meaning.
An angel weeping is a symbol of mourning and grief and is a common depiction in cemeteries. Angels carrying a woman or flying is believed to represent rebirth whilst an angel dropping an open rose symbolises some-one who died in the prime of their life.
An angel holding a sword or shield is usually a depiction of the Angel Michael whilst the most famous of angels, Gabriel, usually holds either a horn or a trumpet and is used to represent resurrection.
Memorials for children
Creating a fitting grave for a child or infant that has died can be particularly distressing and many of the symbols used for adults somehow seem less appropriate for some-one who has died at a very young age.
Cherubs are often used to mark the resting place of children. Despite their diminutive size, cherubs in mythology are very powerful beings, being the bearer’s of god’s throne and representing the tree of life.
Other common figurines for a child’s memorial include a teddy bear, a beautiful and appropriate tribute for one who left so quickly.
Animals
A figurine of an animal is another popular way to create a fitting tribute, and there are several creatures which are seen more often than others.
A lion is said to represent the spirit of the deceased, and to symbolise the courage and determination of the person. It is also believed to act as an eternal guardian and ward off evil spirits.
Lambs often adorn the graves of children and infants, denoting innocence. However, they are also used as a religious reference; a reference to the Lamb of God, which is how Christ was often referred.
Doves are another symbol of innocence but are also interpreted as a sign of peace and spiritual connection.
Figurines have been used on graves for centuries, all over the world, and despite the many cultural differences, the symbols used to represent enduring peace remain remarkably similar. Religious figurines featuring Madonna and Jesus Christ can be seen in cemeteries all over the world, with offerings cast in bronze, stone or marble.
Conclusion
The tribute you decide on is deeply personal and although you may be confined to what you can leave due to cemetery regulations, it is still possible to create a beautiful and sensitive tribute, and the use of figurines simply enhances the final memorial. Try using a site such as http://www.memorialsofdistinction.co.uk to select from a wide range of figurines to purchase.
Image Credits: NatalieMaynor and Sunfrog1.
