Galbraith Memorials, Monumental Masons, Bradford, Keighley, Bingley, Shipley, Skipton, Ilkley, Otley, Thornton, Bowling, West Yorkshire, cemetery, churchyard

Advice on choosing an epitaph

epitahs are usually

1) "Less is more" - epitaphs are usually short and concise. They are a chance to sum up a person's life in just a few words, to give it shape and express real emotion.

2) Epitaphs often convey a strong feeling. However, the best epitaphs are timeless and not overly sentimental, and for this reason, I always advise taking your time before choosing so that emotions have time to settle and you don't later regret your choice.

3) Often, someone is speaking in the first person (a relative, a friend; the deceased). You might want to think about whose voice you want this to be.

4) Consider whether you want the epitaphs to speak directly to someone. This may be a passerby or the loved one themselves.

5) Consider who this memorial is for, in a few generations time family members may be researcing their family tree and the dates of the deceased in full, maybe needed.