According to the experts at the Phillipsburg Memorial Company in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, there are several modern techniques for carving letters and designs on tombstones, including the following techniques which are both machine made:

“Sandblasting … involves using compressed air to forcefully propel sand or other abrasive materials onto the surface of the stone. The impact of the particles erodes the stone, creating a deep and lasting engraving. Sandblasting offers a wide range of design options, allowing for intricate details and beautiful texturing. This technique is versatile and can be used on various types of stones….

“Laser Engraving … has become increasingly popular due to its precision and efficiency. This technique utilizes a concentrated laser beam to etch designs onto the surface of the tombstone. The laser removes a tiny layer of the stone, resulting in a precise and clean engraving. Laser engraving allows for intricate and complex designs, including photographs and intricate patterns. … This technique offers a high level of customization and is perfect for those seeking a more contemporary and personalized memorial.”

Many of the gravestones that are found in ancient cemeteries and gravestones, are however, hand carved. “Hand-carving is one of the oldest engraving techniques, dating back centuries. Skilled artisans use chisels, hammers, and other hand tools to create intricate designs and lettering on tombstones. This technique allows for incredible attention to detail and customization. Each stroke of the chisel is deliberate and precise, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind memorial. Hand-carved tombstones exude a sense of craftsmanship and authenticity, making them a popular choice for those who value tradition and want a timeless tribute.”

However, fewer and fewer artisans are employed in this type of work. Fergus Wessel, who has a shop in Oxfordshire, England, is one of them. Fergus is an old-world artisan toiling away in his workshop, creating one-of-a-kind gravestones for those who want unique hand-crafted memorials. The shop is a small one—Hannah, Fergus’s wife takes care of paperwork and Tom Wiggins is a master letter carver. Together the three of them work with their clients to create one-of-a-kind memorials.

Fergus and his team know that after a loved one passes, “it is easy to feel under pressure to commission a headstone swiftly – a pressure that can sometimes be inadvertently compounded by family members. And this pressure can grow into guilt that the grave still has no marker, that you are somehow ‘letting down’ or failing the deceased.”

“However,” the team cautions, “it is really important not to impose an arbitrary time scale on yourself … taking your time is not only completely understandable but vital.”

Fergus has written a book filled with timely advice about commissioning a headstone titled HEADSTONES: Advice & Inspiration. The book—filled with samples of epitaphs, pictures of gravestones carved at their shop, and descriptions of stone types—is a primer with caring advice on how to make decisions about commissioning a monument. HEADSTONES: Advice & Inspiration reflects how important it can be to simply wait, think and consider.

The book is a wonderful resource for anyone seeking advice on choosing a headstone, the idea for this book came about after Hannah’s mother died from cancer two years ago. Offering advice and inspiration on choosing a headstone, with over 150 photographs, client stories, and ideas for epitaphs, the book is an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to create a perfect memorial for their loved one. If you are interested, hard or PDF copies can be ordered at stoneletters.com/book .

While this may seem like naked commercialism to suggest a book on my blog, I want you to know that with every book purchased, all profits from the book sales are donated to Maggies. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, Maggie’s Centres are uplifting places with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need: practical advice about benefits and eating well; emotional support from qualified experts; a friendly place to meet other people; a calming space simply to sit quietly with a cup of tea. 100% of profits from the sale of this book will be donated to Maggie’s. For more information about Maggie’s visit maggiescentres.org. The idea for this book came about after the death of Hannah’s mother from cancer and it is being sold to raise funds for Maggie’s, Oxford.