Choosing a fitting memorial for a loved one is a very individual thing. Some have no names or dates.
This hand carved poem resides in the garden of a son who commissioned this bespoke piece in memory of his father. He was cremated and there is no fixed place for the family to visit. They chose to mark his passing on riven Cumbrian green slate with some of the words of Robert Frost, his favourite poem…
Stopping by woods on a snowy evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Robert Frost, written in 1922
a hole in one
The following memorial was for a golfer, his daughter chose this stone as she thought he’d appreciate the reference to a ‘hole in one’!
a lump of coal
I carved a headstone for a colliery worker whose wife chose rough hewn welsh slate to mark her husband (and his mother’s) grave. It was a decidedly different memorial and the parish council who agree what can or can’t be placed on a grave, loved the idea. It’s unlike any other headstone in this particular cemetery and very brave to choose something out of the ordinary. It was lovely create something so unique and fitting.
Each of the memorials perfectly reflects the wants of the family. Now, tell me, what kind of memorial would you choose?
I love that . . A beautiful, beautiful piece . ❤️
Thank you for taking the time to comment Glenda.