Thanks to industrial revolution, the western world was able to add the photo of the dead on tombstone. The practice started in nineteenth centuries and has been spread around the world. Today, it has been a traditional custom in some regions. The reason for the prevalence of  headstone photo is easy to fathom. Losing the beloved one is painful, but see their picture again is comforting.

3 Kinds of Memorial Photos for Tombstone

Today’s tombstone photo can be divided into ceramic photo, copper photo and laser engraving photo. They are made by disparate materials and technology, therefore, each types of photo looks very different. The ceramic photo tends to conjure up Victorian age. While the copper photo seems more traditional and echoes us to Roman times when the copper sculpture became fashionable for a time. The laser engraving photo is a kind of photo carved on dark color granite headstone. Like paper photo, it can also be classified as colorful and white photograph. But the white one looks more beautiful.

Ceramic Memorial Photo

In the early time, there is only a type headstone photo -- ceramic memorial photo. It is to put the photo of the dead on the surface of ceramic wafer and using special technology protect it from being destroyed. Ceramic wafer has various shapes. Oval, round, square and rectangle are classic. Today, most ceramic photos are colorful, but a few persons prefer black-and-white photograph with retro style. The photos is usually decorated by a bronze memorial frame. And the frames have many sizes, shapes and colors. If you have no idea what kinds of ceramic photo to choose, here are some useful advice.

1. There is not a fixed size for ceramic photo. But it doesn’t means that any size is suitable for a tombstone. If the monument is big, the size of the photo should be larger, or the picture is easy to be neglected. For instance, for a long and upright headstone, a big square or round photo will be better.

2.If you want the photo to display with erected oval or rectangle shape, the photo shall be made into small size. Otherwise, it will seem obtrusive.

3.Light color cemetery bronze frame can be used on headstone with black surface. By contrast, dark color one is more suitable for a light color gravestone.  

Bronze Memorial Photo

Although it is also called photo, the bronze memorial photo is actually not a separate picture. It is a part of the whole bronze grave marker. In North America, many families still like buying conventional bronze grave markers. Only two methods can you use to add photos on such materials-- attaching ceramic picture or when making the mold of grave maker, adding the image of the dead. The images generally come from the portrait of the people before they die. So they look like a vivid photograph. Besides, the unique appearance of bronze brings these figure images  with a sense of vicissitudes. As copper will turn black in the air, the feelings of history and mystery will be strengthened with time.

Laser Engraving Photo

Laser etching technology was invented in China in the 1970s. In China, people use this technique to carve landscapes, figures as artwork. The finished laser engraving works are presented on the wall and pillar of temple and museum or made into exquisite decorative ornaments. However, after spreading into the west, it has been flourished in funeral market. Laser engraving photo has been in vogue in recent years. Because its appearance is more natural than copper picture and more artistic than ceramic photo. The best laser etching memorial photo is carved on absolute black granite stone. Only this material can fully show the beauty of this kind of photo. The principle is that a stone will show various colors when knocked with a sharp tool by different strength. And just the stone with black surface can create patterns that contrasts with each other. The figure picture that made by this means usually will take a large space on monument. So it looks striking and will not change color under the influence of the environment.

Xiamen Mason is a stone manufacturer that produces and exports tombstone, bronze memorial frame, cemetery lantern and other products. We are good at making laser etching products. Welcome to see our products on www.xmmason.com.