Contemporary Headstones

Above all, contemporary headstones refer to the styles and trends of the present. As opposed to traditional gravestones that have a more classic design style through the ages. In particular, today’s modern gravestones and memorial plaques merge with current designs by utilizing simple clean lines and curves which are mostly focused on practicality. For example, our “Modern Two-Tone” gravestone has a minimalist appeal presented with curves and beveled edges while still highlighting the headstone’s main features. Additionally, many contemporary headstones are designed around prominent elements such as a heart or guitar to whom the deceased may have had an affection to during their lives.

In order to receive a price for any of our modern gravestones displayed below, please complete our headstone prices contact form at the bottom of this page. Or alternatively, please contact us by phone or email and we will be more than happy to assist with your inquiry. Thank you.

Because of its hardness and durability granite remains the no1 choice for most stylish headstone designs. While marble, limestone, and slate are still used in present-day gravestone construction they are prone to delamination over time. Unlike granite, these materials also require annual maintenance to keep them in prime condition. With this in mind, all our contemporary headstones displayed below are made from granite with a highly polished exterior. As well as creating a clean look, the polished finish on our gravestones makes them easy to maintain outdoors, as opposed to our rustic headstones which will need to be cleaned regularly. 

There is something about a three-dimensional carving that makes you stop and admire its artistry. Carvings in granite captivate an image or design bringing it to life in a way that is beyond compare. For instance, our “carved rose headstone” displays a life-like rose hand-carved with intricate detail. In a similar way, the “praying hands” gravestone encapsulates the theme the memorial portrays in an instant. Although etchings share similar characteristics to carved images, carvings enchant us in form and appearance. Along with our Celtic cross tombstones, contemporary headstones with carvings are skillfully carved by hand. As a result, these types of memorials tend to be more costly when compared to gravestones with engraved images or ceramic photos for headstones.

There are many and various meanings of the tree of life among different cultures and religions. Most commonly, the tree’s roots symbolize our origins and our internal strength while the tree trunk resembles life itself which spans between the past and future. In Christianity, the tree of life symbolizes the state of the world before the fall of the angels, and also represents eternity and everlasting life. With this in mind, the first place where the tree of life is mentioned is in the Bible, in Genesis 2:9:

• “And out of the ground, the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”

The Tree of life is also referred to in the book of Revelation and in the book of Proverbs where it appears to be used in different ways:

• “A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.”  Prov. 15:4
• “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”  Prov. 13:12
• “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.”  Prov. 11:30

Ultimately, our tree of life headstones and grave memorial gifts have meaningful, refreshing, and fulfilling meanings that are applicable to our lives and to the lives of those gone before us. We can easily say the Cross and Jesus Himself are a fruit of the tree of life. That being said, this exquisitely hand-carved memorial not only reminds us of our loved ones’ eternity with Christ but is a constant reminder that we too can become partakers of the hope of eternal life.

Almost all contemporary headstones displaying laser-engraved pictures will appear on a highly polished black granite surface. Due to this “mirror-like” reflective surface an impressive contrast forms between the engraved picture and the black granite. With the introduction of new technologies such as laser etching, sacred images in stone and your own personal photographs can now be engraved with exceptional detail. As can be seen from our Virgin Mary and Divine Mercy etchings colour can also be added to a portion of the image, thus further advancing the visual appearance of the etching.

Please Note: For the purpose of displaying our etched images clouds appear on the reflective surfaces of the black granite which are not part of the actual etching. Thus, clouds shown in the background of our images are for visual purposes only and will not appear on the finished headstone.

In truth, the majority of contemporary headstones in cemeteries have a simple gravestone design. Uncomplicated designs offer plain yet stylish gravestone arrangements as can be seen from our memorials below. The aesthetically pleasing clean lines and smooth curves give a simpler formation when compared to its ultra-modern counterpart. For this reason, simple contemporary gravestones which focus on the inscription area rather than design are suitable for most as a remembrance memorial. That being said, gravestone crosses along with both traditional and script fonts can elegantly complement our plainer tombstone designs. Compared to our gates of heaven headstones, which have a statue as their main feature, plainer gravestones remain the most popular choice for Irish and UK tombstone designs.