A guide to creating headstone wording

One of the most personal decisions you’ll make in planning a funeral is the headstone wording. This is a chance to honour your loved one, reflect on their life, and create a meaningful space for future generations to remember them.

Headstones: wording in Australia

In Australia, headstone wording generally follows a simple and respectful format. Most headstones will include the deceased’s full name, their date of birth, and the date of death. However, the real significance comes in the additional words you choose to inscribe, which can reflect the person’s character, faith, or life journey.

What to write on a headstone

Some of the most common types of headstone wording include:

Short epitaphs:

A brief phrase that summarises the person’s life, such as “Beloved Wife and Mother” or “Forever in Our Hearts.”

Religious messages:

If the deceased had strong spiritual beliefs, phrases like “Rest in Peace,” “In God’s Care,” or “Reunited with the Lord” are common.

Meaningful quotes:

Consider a favourite poem, song lyric, or saying that captures their personality, like “The Best is Yet to Come” or “Wherever you go, I will follow.”

Personal tributes:

Some families choose personalised messages highlighting their loved one’s passions or personality, such as “A Life Well Lived” or “Loved and Remembered Always.”

Family relationships:

It’s also common to include a mention of familial ties, such as “Loving Father of Sarah and James” or “Cherished Sister of Helen.”

The key is to choose headstone wording that reflects your loved one’s character and spirit, ensuring it’s both meaningful and heartfelt.

Gravestone wording: how many words can you write?

The cemetery’s regulations usually dictate the length of the inscription, but in general, most Australian cemeteries allow between 50-70 characters for the main inscription—roughly 10 to 15 words. This allows for a short tribute, but remember that headstones are not large, so simplicity is often best. A concise, clear message is easier to read and creates a lasting impression that will be legible for many years to come.

If you’d like to say more, there are often opportunities for additional inscriptions or tributes in a memorial booklet or on an online memorial site, which can be linked to the headstone via a QR code (explained below).

Headstone ideas: engraved pictures or photos

While headstone wording traditionally focuses on words, many families choose to personalise their loved one’s memorial with an engraved image or photo. This could be a simple image that represents the deceased’s hobbies, passions, or beliefs—like a heart, a flower, or a bird.

Photographs can also be included, though these are typically not engraved directly on the stone. Instead, high-quality ceramic or porcelain photo plaques are affixed to the headstone. This is a beautiful and modern way to visually honour the deceased, especially for those who want to remember the person’s face and smile.

Headstone QR code

In today’s digital world, many families are choosing to add a QR code to their loved one’s headstone. This code links to an online memorial page where friends and family can share photos, messages, or stories about the deceased. For more information, refer to the article Exploring the QR Code Grave Trend.

Graveyard headstones: working with cemeteries

At Anton Brown Funerals, we understand that selecting a headstone can be a challenging and emotional decision. The headstone itself is usually handled directly through the cemetery, as it is their grounds. This means they will be responsible for the installation and any requirements specific to the cemetery’s layout and regulations.

Customised stonemason gravestones

If you wish to work with a stonemason for additional customisation, we can arrange this. Stonemasons are outsourced professionals who specialise in creating personalised headstones, and we’re happy to coordinate the process to ensure your loved one’s memorial meets your wishes.

Anton Brown Funerals: here to support you

Choosing the right wording for a headstone is an important way to honour the life of your loved one, and at Anton Brown Funerals, we’re here to help make this process as smooth as possible. We understand that it can be overwhelming, and we’ll guide you through every step, offering advice and support to ensure the final tribute reflects who they were.

A guide to creating headstone wording

If you need help with headstone wording or any other aspect of the funeral planning, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to take care of the details and provide the support you need, so you can focus on what matters most—remembering your loved one. Contact Anton Brown Funerals today.