Choosing The Right Funeral Home

3 Suggestions For Selecting An Infant Headstone

13 September 2016

Derek Murphy

The loss of a child can be devastating for the parents. Whether you have experienced a stillbirth or an early infant loss, it is important that you take time to grieve for your lost child. One action that can help you face your loss when you are ready is to select a headstone for your child's grave-site or a memorial marker to be placed in your yard. Selecting an infant headstone can be a difficult, emotional process, but it will give you a permanent reminder of the child you have lost. 

Take Your Time 

You do not have to order a headstone as soon as your child passes away. If you are burying your child, you can utilize a temporary marker until you feel prepared to decide on a permanent headstone. Most cemeteries require that you wait at least a few months after burial to place a headstone, and some may require that you wait a year. This waiting period allows the ground to settle and prevents damage to the headstone. However, there is usually no limit on how long you can wait if you choose not to place a headstone as soon as possible. It can even be helpful for some parents to place a headstone for a child who has been deceased several years. 

Consider Your Hopes and Dreams for the Deceased 

Generally, inscriptions on a headstone commemorate the achievements of an individual. With an infant, it may be difficult to know what to inscribe on the headstone because they did not have the time to live their life. For a touching, honest inscription, you should consider the hopes and dreams you had for the child and utilize the inscription to express your love for the child. 

Consider Getting Assistance to Pay for a Headstone

Headstones can be costly, especially for young parents. However, you should not let the financial cost deter you from commemorating your child. There are several charity organizations that can help pay for the cost of a headstone for your child. You can ask at your local hospital or cemetery to find an organization in your area. You may also consider reaching out to friends and family to help cover the cost of a headstone for your child. 

Losing a young child can be one of the most difficult events in a parent's life. Creating a permanent memorial to your child can help you grieve fully for your child and give you a way to remember them. 

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