Selecting the right material for a headstone, grave marker, or monument to memorialize a loved one is an important decision.  While a headstone and final resting place may not be at the top of your to-do list right now, eventually that decision for you or a loved one will come into play.

The material many of us associate with headstones or memorial plaques is marble — and with good reason.  Many of the markers that dot our cemeteries are made of marble.  According to Monuments.com, this venerable natural stone was used almost exclusively before the 1920s, not only for its timeless beauty, but also because it was easier to cut, polish and carve with the tools of the day.

The problem is that marble is susceptible to pollution and salt. Erosion to gravestones dating back to the early 1800s has left many inscriptions virtually unrecognizable. The marble is slowly wearing away.

On the flip side, granite markers created 100-plus years ago remain in good condition because granite can hold its own against pollution, salt, and other erosive outdoor conditions.

Over time, with expanded availability and the improvement of stone cutting and carving tools, granite became more affordable. Today, granite has surpassed marble as most popular headstone material.

Photo by Kevin Fritz, Old Town Cemetery, Town of Hillsborough, N.C.  Marble headstone of Henry Richards, Sr, 1813-1890.

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