Due to its durability and weatherproof qualities granite is the first choice material for modern gravestones. While limestone, slate, and marble are still used to manufacture memorials they are difficult to keep outdoors and are prone to erosion over time. And unlike granite, such materials also need regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. That said, our collection of modern gravestones displayed below are made from granite with a highly polished finish. As well as showing a clean look, the polished finish makes them easy to clean and maintain.

Hand-carved elements in granite captivate an image or design bringing it to life in a way that is unparalleled. For example, our carved roses memorial displays an elongated rose hand-carved with intricate detail. Similarly, the praying hand’s headstone encapsulates the theme the headstone portrays in an instant. Although etched images share similar aspects to hand-carved images, carvings captivate us in form and appearance. Because gravestones with three-dimensional images are hand-carved they tend to be more expensive compared to their modern counterparts.

Among cultures and religions, there are various meanings for the tree of life. Universally, it is believed that the tree’s roots signify our origins and internal strength while the tree trunk symbolizes life itself which spans between the past and future. In Christianity, the tree of life indicates the state of the world before the fall of the angels and also represents eternity and everlasting life. Subsequently, the first place the tree of life is referred to in the Bible is 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.”

In the book of Revelation and in Proverbs, the Tree of life is also mentioned and 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
• “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.”  Prov. 11:30
• “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”  Prov. 13:12

Overall, our tree of life gravestones have very symbolic and thought-provoking interpretations that are relevant to our lives and to the lives of our deceased loved ones. Additionally, we can also conclude that the Cross and Jesus Himself are the fruit of the tree of life. Given these points, this skillfully hand-carved gravestone not only reminds us of our loved ones’ eternity with Christ but is a constant indication that we too can become partakers of the hope of an eternal life.

It’s important to remember that modern gravestones with laser-engraved images will always appear on a polished black granite background. Because of the granite’s absolute black finish an impressive contrast forms between the engraved image and the granite. With the arrival of new technologies such as laser etching, your own personal photographs, and sacred images can now be etched with remarkable detail. Notably, our Divine Mercy and Virgin Mary etchings below can be particularly coloured, further advancing the visual presence of the image.

Nota Bene: For the purpose of displaying our laser-engraved images clouds appear on the reflective surfaces of the black granite which are not part of the actual etching. Therefore, clouds displayed in the background of our images are for visual purposes only and will not appear on the finished memorial.

Most contemporary gravestones in cemeteries have a relatively plain headstone design. Straightforward designs offer simple yet stylish headstone layouts as can be seen from our examples below. Basically, memorials with clean-cut lines and smooth curves offer a plainer look and feel compared to their ultra-modern counterpart. Because of this, simple modern gravestones which focus on the inscription area rather than the overall design are more popular as a remembrance memorial. A variety of crosses and fonts are also available to help complement your headstone.