By Capital Grave Markers · Published · Last updated · 6 min read
A headstone usually includes the person’s full name, date of birth and date of death. Many families add a relationship line such as “Beloved Mother,” a short epitaph or religious verse, and a symbol like a cross, heart or rose. Keep the wording brief enough to fit the stone’s face, check the cemetery’s rules, and proofread every letter before approving the design.
Key Takeaways
- Essentials: full name, birth and death dates (or years).
- Optional: relationship line, epitaph, religious verse, symbol or portrait.
- Short lines read best, especially on flat markers.
- Proofread every letter and date before you approve the final design.
What information is essential on a headstone?
The core is the name and dates. Use the full legal name or the name the person was known by, and decide between full dates (March 4, 1948) or years only (1948 – 2026).
For reference, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs treats legal name, branch of service, year of birth and year of death as mandatory items on government headstones, with items such as terms of endearment added only on request and subject to approval.
What can I add beyond the name and dates?
Optional lines personalize the stone. Choose one or two so the layout stays clean.
- Relationship: Beloved Husband, Loving Mother and Grandmother, Our Dear Son.
- Nickname or term of endearment — the VA’s own example is “Our Beloved Poppy.”
- Credentials or accomplishments: Doctor, Reverend, Teacher.
- A symbol: cross, praying hands, Star of David, heart, roses or doves.
- A portrait: see portrait engraving on black granite ($300 – $1,050) or ceramic photo portraits ($160 – $520).
What are some short epitaph ideas?
Short epitaphs of two to six words fit almost any stone. Common choices by theme:
| Theme | Examples |
|---|---|
| Love | Forever in our hearts · Loved beyond words · Always loved, never forgotten |
| Reunion | Until we meet again · Together forever · Reunited |
| Peace | At peace · Rest in peace · Gone home |
| Faith | The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23:1) · In God’s care · Safe in His arms |
| Family | Devoted wife, mother and friend · Our rock · Beloved by all |
How much text fits on a headstone?
It depends on the face size and lettering. A 16 × 8 in flat marker comfortably holds a name, dates and one short line, while a 24 × 12 in marker or an upright headstone leaves room for a relationship line, an epitaph and a symbol. If the text feels crowded, shorten the epitaph before reducing the letter size.
See Flat Grave Marker Sizes and Headstone Types Explained to match the wording to the stone.
How do I avoid mistakes in the inscription?
Engraving is permanent, so check the proof slowly and ask a second family member to review it.
- Verify the spelling of every name, including middle names and accents.
- Check dates against a birth or death certificate.
- Confirm punctuation, capitalization and line breaks.
- Make sure symbols and religious text are allowed by the cemetery.
- Approve the final design in writing only when everything is correct.
We release an order to production only after final design approval, and a personalized product is non-refundable once production begins.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Headstone and Marker Inscriptions
- Federal Trade Commission — Buying a Cemetery Site
Prices quoted are listed prices on capitalgravemarkers.com as of September 27, 2026 and may change. The product page, written quote and signed agreement control your order.
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