Crosses on the grave: signs and religious rules. When to erect a monument

Records found: 65

Hello, someone leaves handfuls of coins or several at my father’s grave pectoral crosses, on the monument, on the table, on the floor. Not for the first time. What could this mean and what to do? Thank you.

Tatiana

Tatiana. I don’t know who is doing this and why, but I am sure that you do not need to fear anything. Take the crosses to church, and distribute the change to those in need.

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Hello! Please tell me what to put on the grave of a relative and what not? Is a cross enough, are photos and other information about the deceased needed? They say that we need something like a monument with photos and data. Tell me what is really needed?

Yuri

Hello, Yuri! First of all, there should be a cross on an Orthodox grave. For the memory of the living, you can hang a sign with the data of the deceased, a photograph. If you eventually want to erect a monument, then the cross should still be present on it.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Good health. I wanted to order a new cross from the cemetery, because the old one fell, and they offered me to put up a used cross, but I also have to buy it, only it’s cheaper. These, they say, are the crosses that are removed to erect a monument. Is it even possible to put up such a cross?

Catherine

Ekaterina, of course you can. If it is expensive to put a new cross on a grave, put the one that is offered to you. An Orthodox grave should not have a monument, but an Orthodox cross.

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Hello, is a photograph required on the monument of the deceased?

Tatiana

Tatyana, there must be an Orthodox cross on an Orthodox grave; everything else (monuments, photos, etc.) is not at all necessary.

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Good afternoon, father! In the Kharkov region, a mother and her three children - 6 months, 6 years and 7 years old - burned to death during a fire. They were buried in two coffins: a mother with a 6-month-old child in one coffin, and children 6 and 7 years old in another coffin. And in the cemetery, instead of four graves, there are only two. How does the church treat such cases and is this even acceptable? God bless you for your answer. Sorry to bother you.

Natalia

Natalya, yes, it’s possible, there’s nothing reprehensible here: remember, for example, soldiers’ mass graves, where many people are buried, and there’s only one person above the grave big monument or cross. Moreover, this was also the case with the early Christian martyrs - each of them was not always buried separately. Very often, the bones of martyrs, burned in ovens or torn to pieces by wild animals, were buried by the pagans in the same grave.

Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

Hello, please tell me, is it true that soil from one grave cannot be poured onto another? The fact is that when installing monuments to my parents, the soil from the graves was mixed. If this is a violation, how can it be corrected?

Lydia

Lydia, there are no rules in the church that would indicate that you cannot take soil from one grave to another. I think this is not significant. We all live on the same earth, under the same sun, and we all breathe the same air. Don't worry, there's nothing wrong. The main thing is to pray for your departed, and visit church more often, confess and receive communion.

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Hello, father! Doesn’t the fact that on the grave contradict the Orthodox canons? Orthodox man When installing the monument and fence, the workers pulled out an oak cross, placed it on the grave, filled it with concrete and laid paving slabs on top. (In the upper corner established monument there is a small Orthodox cross).

Gennady

Gennady, we Orthodox Christians must live and die in an Orthodox manner, and we must be buried strictly in a Christian manner. The most important thing on an Orthodox grave is, of course, the CROSS. The cross should not be drawn, but stand at its full height. Tell me, why does the deceased need a monument at all if it is erected instead of a cross? It is not right. The cross should not have been removed from the grave. The cross is our hope, our hope. And what is a monument? It’s a soulless block of marble, which, unfortunately, many now put in place of the Cross. Cross on the grave Orthodox Christian It must be mandatory, and not lie down, but stand!

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Hello! Please answer two questions on Genesis. 1. Why does the Bible tell us twice about the origin of man - once every sixth time [Gen. 1:23-29], and the second time the seventh day of creation [Gen. 2:2-8] and [Gen. 2:15-24]? 2. Why is the creation/creation of man different on the sixth and seventh days of creation? Thank you!

Vladimir

Vladimir, there is no contradiction here, it’s just a style of storytelling characteristic of this ancient monument like the Bible. First, it talks about the creation of the world, including man, and then in more detail about the origin of all things.

Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

Hello! Please answer my question. My grandmother died and the exact date We don’t know the death, because we found her on the morning of January 12, and this date was written everywhere, in documents and on the monument. But having compared some facts, we doubtfully came to the conclusion that she died on the afternoon of January 11th. What should we do now and when to do it? memorial days, a particularly important fortieth day? This is a very painful question for me. After all, we may be late (so to speak) with the memorial day. Please help and thanks in advance.

Natalia

Natalia, if the most likely date of death is January 11, then remember in accordance with this date, and without embarrassment.

Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

Hello! Please tell me what would be right: to erect a monument on the grave of an Orthodox Christian with an image of a cross and a photograph of the deceased, or just a cross? If you just put up a cross, is it possible to place an image of the deceased on the cross, or is only a sign with the full name allowed? and date of birth and death?

Oleg

Oleg, a Christian should always have the Cross, both during life and after death. The cross on the grave should stand independently of the monument. You can erect a monument, as convenient, but the cross is separate. It is better to put only the date and full name on the cross, and a photo separately. But you can make a tombstone with an inscription and a photo, and put the cross separately, it will be inexpensive.

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Hello. Help, tell me what to do. Neighbors bring grave crosses from the cemetery and place them in front of my windows. They also erected a monument depicting the deceased. Previously, my child suffered from the actions of these people - he spent more than a month in the hospital, and when he was discharged, crosses appeared under the window. I can't remove them. I live alone and have two small children.

Irina

However, what “hardworking” neighbors you have found, Irina! If only their energy could go in a peaceful direction!
Don't be afraid of anything, this whole circus won't harm you. And yourself - stand stronger in faith, live together with the Church, approach the Church Sacraments more often, grace will protect you, and the Lord will not abandon His! The Apostle said: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. Ch. 8, v. 31). And besides, you can turn to utility services and the help of the law, because It is unlikely that the law allows cemetery crosses taken from unknown sources to be installed on residential or public property.

Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

Hello. Thanks for all your answers. I have another question: they ordered a monument for my late mother, but my grandmother wanted (good thing they talked me out of it) to first make a monument for herself with a portrait and date of birth. Isn’t it a sin to order a monument for yourself in advance? And another question: they say that young people cannot bring fresh flowers to the cemetery, but only artificial ones - otherwise young people will supposedly die. This is just superstition, isn't it? And where do people get this nonsense from? Thanks in advance for your answers!

Hello Julia! In Orthodoxy there is a tradition of preparing a coffin and a cross for yourself during your lifetime. Many saints did this, and there is nothing wrong with it. This is a remembrance of death that every Christian, especially the elderly, should have. If the grandmother wants to order a monument, let her order it if the relatives do not mind. Regarding flowers, this is definitely a superstition. Fresh flowers in a cemetery are a symbol eternal life deceased. And superstitions are born from ignorance and unwillingness to study one’s faith.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

In 2007 I installed a tombstone deceased wife. The red granite tombstone depicts an Orthodox cross, a portrait of Tanyusha, a favorite flower - clematis, and a stylized (unrecognizable) sculptural image of a little girl. The intended meaning is that my Tanya will be like a guardian angel to her granddaughter Alexandra, whom she loved very much. Now eldest daughter Anastasia insists on remaking the monument. Advise, father, what to do.

Kozlovsky Vladimir Leonidovich

Of course, your daughter is driven by superstitious fear. There is no need to redo the monument; the plot can be reinterpreted. Look at the icon of the Assumption Mother of God, there the soul of the Mother of God is depicted in the hands of the Savior in the form of a little girl, so this figure on the tombstone can be interpreted as a symbolic image of the soul of the deceased.

Deacon Ilia Kokin

Hello, my name is Natalya, I am from Kazakhstan. I have one question, but first a little background: my mother, to my great regret, has been gone for almost 5 years, she sang in the church choir and I grew up in the church (so to speak) and now, I remember that my mother always She said that she did not want a monument to be erected for her after her death, and she only allowed us to erect a wooden cross. She explained this, but I don’t remember exactly how she explained it, word for word. She said something about how on Judgment Day the cross would have to be carried, but the monument would be impossible to raise... And my question is: is this described somewhere in the Bible? Where did mom get this decision?

Natalia

Hello, Natalia.
Placing a wooden cross on a grave is a pious act. Russian tradition. The simplicity of the material speaks of the non-covetousness of the deceased.
Many bequeath a portion of their funds and property to donate to those in need, and to place a simple wooden cross on the grave.
On the other hand, in this way Christians confess their readiness to follow Christ and hope for the salvation of their souls. After all, the instrument of our salvation, the Cross of Christ, was made of wood.
Perhaps my mother’s desire to carry a wooden cross on Judgment Day should not be taken literally, but she certainly wanted to have evidence that she had carried her Cross through all the trials of earthly life.
God bless.

Priest Sergius Osipov

Father, bless! At my father's grave, curb stones were used for landscaping. I want to put a monument on the grave and remove the curb stones. Can they be used in a summer cottage? Save me, God.

Oleg

Hello, Oleg! These stones are your property, you can do with them as you wish. But I personally wouldn’t take stones home from the cemetery.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

An Orthodox cross was installed at my mother’s burial place 57 years ago. Now I want to erect a monument. Is it possible to replace or remove an old cross that has become unusable?

Alexander

Hello, Alexander! You can erect a monument with the image of a cross, and the old cross, so as not to be desecrated, can be burned or sawn into pieces and burned again.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello! I really want to embroider my husband and I’s wedding portrait. Everything is ready for this. Mom, having learned about my desire, said a couple of days later that this should not be done, that this was something like a monument during my lifetime. I was very upset, so I want to know if this is so, and is it possible to embroider a wedding portrait? Maybe you need to go to church and ask for blessings before starting work. Please tell me what is the right thing to do?

Life and death are two inseparable components of earthly existence human soul. U different nations Certain burial rules have developed, carefully passed down from generation to generation. According to Christian customs, the deceased are buried; on the day of burial, a wooden eight-pointed cross is placed on the grave, and flowers are laid. When are wreaths removed from a grave after a funeral and is it necessary to do so? Let's try to answer these questions based on church canons and folk traditions.

The cross as a symbol of the incorruptibility of the soul

According to Christian customs, the cross should be placed at the feet of the deceased so that the face of the deceased is turned towards the crucifix. This rule is often neglected, placing a cross in our heads. Another church canon is often violated - screwing a photograph of a deceased relative to a cross. There is no need to do this, just hang up a sign with the name and dates of birth/death.

For the Orthodox, the cross is the traditional form of a tombstone; the top of the head, rising upward, points to heaven - the place of residence of the soul freed from the mortal body. According to established traditions, flowers are laid on the grave and funeral wreaths are placed as a tribute to memory and respect for the deceased.

Which flowers are better, fresh or artificial?

Maintaining order in a cemetery is not so much a spiritual aspect as a social one. Agree that the deceased does not care at all what his grave looks like. The living need this - so that they have somewhere to come in moments of sorrow or joy, to ask for advice or receive a blessing. The question is: when are wreaths removed from a grave after a funeral? church canons, should not have existed in principle. In any case, until the middle of the last century such a problem did not arise.

The thing is that, according to Christian customs, graves were decorated with fresh flowers, the lifespan of which is short. So they were removed within the first few days. It is possible and necessary to clean the burial site of unnecessary parts and bring it into proper shape at any time. This is what most clergy think. Moreover, according to the canons of the church, artificial flowers, which have replaced real ones today, are a symbol of lies and hypocrisy.

Link to the fortieth memorial day

IN Soviet time, when they were not particularly observed, a tradition arose of laying flowers made of light fabric or paper on the graves. Today, funeral wreaths are made of plastic, which significantly extends their service life. These funeral attributes may be under open air without damaging your appearance for several months and even years.

People who are deeply religious, when asked when they remove wreaths from a grave after a funeral according to church canons, usually answer: by the fortieth day after burial. In fact, there are no strict church rules on this matter.

The validity of this statement can be explained by the established custom in Orthodoxy, after 40 days after the funeral, to invite a priest to the grave of the deceased to perform a funeral service. It is highly desirable that the place be beautifully and cleanly tidied up before the priest arrives. But let us repeat: there are no prohibitions on restoring order in burial places before this date.

How to care for a grave

Caring for graves, according to the clergy, should be carried out regularly, as needed. Removing wilted flowers, replacing wreaths that have become unusable, correcting crumbled soil - this can be done at any time. In this way, the living pay tribute to the dead, show others and, first of all, themselves that the memory and love for the departed do not fade in their hearts.

When wreaths are removed from a grave after a funeral, if the soil settles, it is straightened with a shovel, giving it a mound. correct form. The surface can be covered with green turf and perennial flowers can be planted around. Chrysanthemums, zinnias, marigolds, daffodils, and lilies of the valley take root well and do not require constant care. In this case, there is no need to use artificial attributes.

What to do with wreaths that have become unusable

Each cemetery has specially designated areas for storing such items, which are ultimately household waste that must be disposed of. Many countries are gradually abandoning the use of artificial wreaths, since recycling plastic requires additional costs and is harmful to the environment.

Imagine a huge city cemetery where hundreds of burials take place every day. Naturally, when wreaths are removed from a grave after a funeral, whole piles of unnecessary funeral paraphernalia are formed, which are then taken to a landfill. IN rural areas Wreaths that have served their purpose are simply burned somewhere nearby. The acrid smell of plastic released in this process not only pollutes environment, but also violates the blissful atmosphere inside the village churchyard.

On what days should you not clean the cemetery?

According to church regulations, it is forbidden to clean, paint fences, plant flowers and trees on graves at all times. Sundays, and even more so in Orthodox holidays. Such actions are considered a sin and a sign of disrespect for the church.

In addition, there are certain periods when you should not go to the cemetery at all. These include:

• Holidays (from 7 to 20 January).
• Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
• Easter and the following Bright Week.
• Days of the twelve holidays.
• Any Sundays.

Visiting the deceased usually begins on Radonitsa (parents' day), which falls on Tuesday, sixteen days after Easter.

Is a monument needed?

The Orthodox Church condemns any excesses in the arrangement of burial sites. But since many of us do not consider ourselves deeply religious, over the past few decades the custom has developed of installing monuments on graves. As a rule, such monuments are made of marble or granite, cast from various types metal You can often hear in response to the question of when to erect a monument after a funeral, the statement: no earlier than twelve months. Why is that?

Some explain this by the need to maintain a period of 1 year, after which any manipulations on the grave of the deceased will not be able to disturb him. According to folk beliefs, after 12 months the soul of the deceased finally leaves our world. It is quite possible that there is some rational grain in such reasoning. No one has ever been able to look beyond the edges of eternal darkness.

Interestingly, workshops that make heavy tombstones will tell you the same thing. Only the basis will be more mundane, without reference to afterlife mythology. So, when to erect a monument after a funeral? Only when the soil on the grave is completely compacted will it give final shrinkage. This process in most cases requires at least one year. IN otherwise a metal or stone structure may become uneven, warp, fall, or become deformed due to the movement of soil layers.

The cross is not a hindrance to the monument

Now we know where and when wreaths are removed from the grave after the funeral. But according to Orthodox customs, crosses installed during burial should be handled with care. Even if you decide to perpetuate the memory of a deceased relative in marble or bronze, the cross must be left in place. In this case, the monument is installed either next to the cross or on the opposite side from it.

In some cases, the cross can be placed next to the grave or, in agreement with the clergyman, burned in a church oven. It seems that in any case, external manifestations of respect for the deceased are not so important. The main thing is spiritual kinship and memory living in our heart.

Unfortunately, every person at least once in his life has encountered the loss of people close to him. Death is inevitable. By paying our last tribute to the deceased, we show respect for him and the bright memory of him. From time immemorial, it has been customary to install monuments on graves; this is a tradition that is associated with religious canons. However, the question often arises about how long it takes to erect a monument to the deceased and how to do it correctly. Today we will shed light on this topic, and you will learn and learn the correct answers to other questions that interest you.

We keep traditions

The desire to erect a monument on the grave of the deceased is associated with the observance of religious traditions, and this is very correct. After all, we wish those close to us who have left us peace in the world of the dead. For example, in Orthodoxy it is prescribed to erect a cross on the day of the funeral. However, with monuments everything is a little more complicated, because there are no religious regulations in this regard, but we want to carry the memory of the deceased through time so that generations will remember him.

However, there are some unspoken instructions that apply to absolutely all religious people:

• keep the burial site in order and clean;
• periodically visit the grave of a loved one;
• bring fresh flowers to the grave.

Many people are of the opinion that a memorial plaque should be installed no earlier than forty days after the burial of the deceased. It is after this time that his soul goes to eternal rest. After this date, the cross can be removed and a memorial monument erected in its place.

There is a belief in this regard, which explains why the cross cannot be removed before the expiration of forty days. The soul, in order for it to rise from the grave and ascend to heaven, must grasp the cross that stands at its feet, only in this way can it leave it and find peace in heaven.

Additional features of installing a tombstone monument

It is also worth looking at the other side of the coin. If we leave the religious point of view and move on to the practical one, then the installation of the monument should be done no earlier than a year after the funeral. It is after a year that the soil is finally compacted.

Entrust the installation of a memorial tombstone only to experienced specialists who know their job. They will take everything into account important nuances terrain, soil type and other factors. This choice ensures the longevity of the memorial headstone. Well, now you know How long does it take to erect a monument to the deceased?, and we, in turn, sympathize with you if you have been touched by the grief of loss.

The process of organizing a funeral is complex and requires the relatives of the deceased person to resolve many issues. One of them is related to the installation of a monument on the grave. When can I order a tombstone and have it installed?

Choosing the time of year to install the monument

We advise all relatives of the deceased who contact our company for a memorial to carry out this procedure in the spring or summer. IN winter time The installation of the tombstone is unlikely to be done efficiently. Drilling concrete support beams into frozen ground is difficult and undesirable. After all, after the ground thaws, the monument will move to the side. There is a big risk that the stone will not withstand such movements, will crack, or become deformed.

To save on purchasing a monument, you can order it in winter, when the cost of materials and services is reduced. Schedule the installation for the spring-summer period, when the weather is more or less warm.

Timing of installation of the monument: opinion of the Orthodox Church

Representatives Orthodox Church do not give precise recommendations regarding when a monument can be placed on a grave. Some of them are told that they need to wait 40 days and then carry out installation. Other religious people refrain from commenting. Thus, when choosing the time to install a tombstone for a deceased relative, you should rely on your own opinion.

How long after the funeral can a headstone be installed?

There are no strictly defined rules and requirements regarding the time of installation of a tombstone on the grave of a buried person. But there are recommendations that can help resolve this issue.

1. It is better to install the monument a year after the burial. Immediately after burial, the soil on the grave is loose and soft, not compacted. If the tombstone is placed earlier, then when the soil shrinks, it will be severely deformed or even destroyed.
2. There is another opinion, according to which the monument should be installed two years after the burial, when the coffin is completely destroyed, and all the voids underground are filled naturally.

Our company offers a wide range funeral services, including the installation of monuments in Tver. If you have just buried loved one, and want to wait until the earth on the grave is compacted, we suggest considering the option of a temporary tombstone (a cross with a sign with the name, surname, dates of birth and death of the deceased). Subsequently you can order from us.

In order to replace grave cross monument, you need to submit an application to the cemetery administration on the basis of the death certificate. This application can only be submitted by the person who was appointed responsible for the burial at the funeral and, accordingly, has a certificate of the construction of the tombstone.

To obtain permission to install a monument, you will need to provide the administration with a passport, a certificate of construction of a tombstone, an agreement with a payment receipt indicating that you ordered a monument or fence, and you will also need to write an application.

Usually the installation of monuments is carried out by the cemetery administration itself. However, you can also submit an application stating that you want to do the installation yourself. It should be understood that monuments, flower beds, fences are your personal property and the administration is not responsible for their damage.

Before installing a monument, ask the administration about rules, among which may be that the monument should not obstruct or block access to other graves, it should contain reliable information, correct dates and full names. According to the law, you cannot use one large monument for 3, say, related graves, as confusion may occur. Part of the monument should not protrude beyond the boundaries of the site, and its size, for example in some cemeteries, is regulated by no more than two meters in height.

The same rules apply to fences. Not all cemeteries allow you to install a fence; for those that do, you must first submit a written application. The fence should not block access to other graves, the size of the fence should correspond to the size of the plot, the average height is 0.5 meters, the use of sharp peaks is prohibited.

Which monument to choose?

Marble monument light color, and therefore they do not engrave on it, that is, the master will not be able to transfer the image itself and the inscriptions directly onto the stone, since it will be difficult to see. Not some people still carve a portrait on a light stone:

Therefore, most often additional granite slabs are attached to the monument, where inscriptions or images are already embossed (in the center there is a circle of granite):

Or they use photoceramics, gluing an oval color photograph to the monument:

Although marble is rare black color, however, it has pronounced white patches:

Marble is a more pliable material and is used to make stunning statues, monuments, and sculptures. In any case, marble is more suitable for decorative elements, for example, from it, you can make a cross like this, as you can see, they added a granite tablet below to leave an inscription, they decided not to take a photo:

To add a photograph to a marble monument, you can use any photo sealed in glass:

Due to its pliability and relative softness, marble is inferior to granite in durability; under the pressure of nature, inscriptions become discolored, the color of the stone fades, small cracks may appear, and in addition, light-colored monuments become dirty faster. At least once every 5 years you need to call a specialist to update protective layer on the monument and, if necessary, carried out restoration.

Granite is a more resistant material, but it is practically not used to make complex sculptural works, often marble and granite are combined together in one monument. Granite has many types and colors from yellow to red. However, for portraits drawn on the stone itself, only black colors are used; for the rest, just like for marble, you will have to use inserts.

Karelian and Australian gabbro-diabase are considered the best; Ukrainian gabbro is cheaper, but of lower quality. In any case, the agency will advise you and select a monument depending on what you want to do with it: an image, an inscription, or a sculpture.

If you want to the image or inscriptions were directly on the stone, then you need to take black granite. Previously, artists transferred images onto black granite. This process is complex, but high quality. The artist puts his soul into the image, the image turns out lifelike.

In addition, when individually tapping with knitting needles, the image is stable and reliable. Today, funeral firms are increasingly purchasing so-called engraving machines; in this case, all that is needed is to place the photograph in the printer, and the machine itself will “tap” and emboss the portrait on granite. After the machine embosses the portrait, the stone with the image is transferred to the engraver, who completes the unbroken areas and, in general, brings the portrait to the desired state.

In addition to the photograph itself, on the back of the granite they often depict what the deceased loved. For example, an artist will be able to knock out a car, summer garden, sea, and much more. Therefore, if you want a truly high-quality image on a monument, still find a funeral agency with real artists who can transfer the image to the monument as if it were alive.

Before ordering an image on granite look at the portfolio artists:

Each artist is individual and sees and transfers the image to the monument in his own way. Color images are obtained by applying special paint to the monument, after direct engraving. As for the design itself, it can be anything, only you decide what shape, size, and material the monument will be. It can be in the shape of a heart, a cross, a stele, and many other shapes.

In any case, contacting a funeral agency will help you choose something to your liking. However, remember that natural stone is always more expensive than artificial stone, the work of an artist more expensive than work automatic machine.

Advice. Choose your granite carefully. Any granite monument Not Pure black, if you look closely at it, it has a grainy structure, these inclusions affect the work of artists. Imagine that there is a bright spot exactly in the place where the pupil of the eye should be located, and if there are many such spots, then the image may turn out a little worse than if there were fewer inclusions. However, an experienced artist will always be able to draw a portrait, although it will be more difficult for him to do it on such a stone.

Conclusion. First, decide whether you want the deceased to be depicted on the monument. Then choose exactly how you want to transfer the image to the monument: photo ceramics, a portrait in glass, an artist or a machine will draw on the monument itself.

For example, if you want to use a photo in glass, then you do not have to choose black granite; you can choose a monument of any color, because the photo of the deceased will simply be embedded in the stone. For non-black granite monuments, workshops, as a rule, make special inscriptions that are not stamped on the stone itself, but are sort of glued to it.

Be sure to ask how it will look! It is not uncommon for people, out of ignorance, to order engraving of inscriptions or even a portrait on light marble or other stones not intended for this. It works out cheaper, but looks like white on white.

Also ask, what technology to choose for applying the image? For example, you want to order photoceramics. The decal is more durable, of higher quality and more expensive, while the Thermal Transfer is cheaper, is faster to produce, but is of lower quality and is more suitable as a temporary option for a cross.

In addition, there are different types ceramics: Slip cast ceramics – cheaper and of lower quality; Dry pressed ceramics – more expensive, but of higher quality. And porcelain tiles, which are ideal for placing a large portrait.

Compare both options and choose the one that suits you. Remember that photoceramics can be of any shape and size, from a standard oval to a rectangle. The technology of applying an image to the monument itself is called engraving; it comes in two types: manual - when the image is embossed by an artist, and automatic, when it is done by a machine. It is believed that handmade images are more durable and durable.

Questions and answers:

The portrait on the monument is not similar:

Perhaps you gave too small a photo and the artist brought out what is shown in the photo, but in real life the man looked a little different. In any case, before the artist started working, you should have been shown an enlarged image and shown what the final result will be. If the image is very different from what was shown to you, you can order a resurfacing of the monument to redraw the image or use another method of applying the image, such as photoceramics.

In practice there are often dissatisfied customers who do not like the image, which is exactly like the photograph, but relatives claim that in real life the person is completely different than in the photo. But an artist simply cannot know what kind of person he was during his lifetime, so one should not expect anything beyond a miracle from him. The image turns out exactly the same as in the photograph, only in black and white.

How to take a photo from a monument?

If it is photoceramics, then, as a rule, it is tightly glued to the monument. However, you can try to carefully punch through the edges of the portrait using a chisel and hammer. Be prepared for the fact that the photoceramic product will crack and become unusable.

How to transfer a photo to a monument with your own hands?

If you are not an artist, then no way. Even if you know how to draw portraits, you will need special equipment: knitting needles, an engraving machine or a kiln for firing photoceramics. However, it happens that people themselves carve inscriptions on the stone and decorate it themselves:

What is the name of the photo on the monument?

That’s what they call it, a photograph for a monument. You can often come across names like engraving a portrait on a monument or photoceramics on a monument.

Caring for a monument made of granite and marble

Granite. Granite has one unpleasant thing: it literally absorbs grease, which means all your fingers can get imprinted on it. If this happens, then cleaning the monument is problematic, but the advantage is that within a month the small stain will evaporate on its own.

If the stain absolutely needs to be removed, you can use baking soda. Apply a teaspoon of baking soda and water to the greasy stain until the baking soda resembles yogurt. When the solution dries (about a day), simply wipe it off.

To clean a granite monument from dust and dirt, you can use special products purchased in the store, or use a regular soft cloth soaked in warm water. Sometimes a weak soap solution is used.

Use household chemicals You can’t use it to clean the kitchen! After cleaning the monument, wipe it with a dry cloth so that there are no streaks left. Advice: in stores they sell special napkins for stones; take it out and wipe everything clean and there are no streaks.

If there are cracks in granite, even small ones must be covered with a special putty for stone. If this is not done, then in winter, freezing moisture can contribute to the destruction of the stone. If you notice that drops do not form into balls when they hit the monument, then it’s time to renew the protective layer of the monument. To do this, after cleaning with soapy water, apply a special product (usually a spray) and let the sealant soak in for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove excess sealant with a dry cloth.

If paint has come into contact with granite, it is better to purchase a special solvent for stone. It is not recommended to restore inscriptions and portraits on monuments yourself; for this you need to turn to professionals.

Marble. Marble is cheaper and therefore more problematic material. As a rule, even in the workshop, light and black marble is coated with a special composition that prevents contamination and fading in the sun. Marble does not tolerate moisture and high temperatures. When wiping, the rag does not need to be heavily soaked in water. You need to handle the candle carefully, not bringing it too close for too long.

Just like on granite, greasy fingerprints can remain on marble; once again, it is better not to touch the monument, or do it with gloves. When cleaning a marble monument, as a rule, you can use a simple soft rag or sponge soaked in warm water. If necessary, use either special products for cleaning marble or detergents with a low pH level.

Regular detergents can damage the monument. After cleaning the monument and letting it dry, apply a protective agent and wait until it is absorbed. Afterwards, an anti-fading agent is applied (if the marble is colored). Then a special water-repellent composition is applied. To protect the inscriptions, you can use a special emulsion to protect the engraving.

Remember, if you have a vase installed, then before winter you need to pour out the accumulated water from it.

If the appearance of your monument no longer pleases you, if it has lost color, cracks have appeared on it, the image and inscription have begun to wear out over time, then it is better to contact specialists who will carry out everything necessary procedures to restore the monument and give it the best possible appearance. Typically, such services are ordered once every 5 years.

What to do with the cross after installing the monument?

1.Leave a wooden cross next to the monument. Some people honor traditions and believe that a cross must be on the grave, especially if the cross is not depicted on the monument itself.

2. Ask the workers who are installing the monument to take the cross or ask where it can be taken. For example, to the temple, which is located next to the cemetery.

3. Bury the cross in the gravestone.

4. Give the cross to a poor, needy family for a funeral.

5. Burn the cross if it was wooden. Under no circumstances should you throw the cross into a trash can near the cemetery, and you should also not sell the cross.

What to write on the monument?

The monument serves us so that we remember. At the end of the epitaph, many people ask to depict a rose or other flowers. The text of the epitaph can be invented by the relatives themselves, or taken from the Internet. Usually a phrase expressing the feelings of mourners or talking about achievements - good qualities deceased. However, nothing prevents you from using any phrase you want to see on the grave dear person, for example your poems.

You need to remember that if the text is large, then you need to say in advance that you want to place an epitaph. Since on the monument there is first a photograph, then the full name, then the date of birth and date of death, and only then the epitaphs, and if there is a desire and space, then at the end they can add a rosette. If desired, or if there is no space in front, kind words can be placed on back side monument, or on the reverse side you can make a three-dimensional image.

How to choose a photo for a monument?

Engraving. When engraving, the size of the photo is also very important. If, for example, a detail of the eye is not visible in the photo when enlarged, then the artist (if the artist is drawing) will have to complete the drawing of the eyes himself. Imagine yourself that you give a 3 by 4 photograph, and it is enlarged to A4 format in order to transfer it to the monument. Of course, in this case the image loses quality.

The larger and clearer the face image, the easier for an artist paint an accurate portrait.

There are difficult cases when the artist is brought a small, worn-out passport photo, since no other photographs have survived. Then, in addition to the enlarged copy, the artist uses a magnifying glass and peers into small parts faces and redraws (knocks out) these details on the monument. However, in this case, and in all other cases, when the photo is too small and the details are very poorly visible, the artist does not guarantee 100% similarity to the original, but similarity to the small photograph is guaranteed.

Many workshops that produce images for monuments can use Photoshop and retouching.

Should I depict a man in a hat?

For some reason, this is considered bad manners, but if a person wore a cap all his life, loved it very much, and in almost all photographs he is wearing it, then why not depict him in his favorite cap? However, some people ask to remove the headdress using Photoshop.

How old should you portray the person?

Any one you want. There are no religious or ethical considerations on this issue. There are people who consider and depict on the monument the photo closest to the time of death, while others believe that it is possible to depict a younger, old man when he was still in his prime.

Conclusion: Use photos where the face and fine facial details are clearly visible. The larger the photo, the better. If possible, use a glossy photo. In the workshop they will help you choose a photograph; you can select and take with you the best photographs of the deceased. As a rule, they will immediately print out a photo enlarged to A4 format in front of you so that you can see what the end result will be.