Visiting our loved ones’ gravesites is often a bittersweet experience. Amidst the sadness, we can take solace in knowing that our departed are at rest and in peace. Many of us may have noticed the uniform orientation of the custom monuments: all facing the same direction. But why? The answer lies in the religion or culture of the deceased.
But what do the orientations mean? Well, the answer is more varied than you may have thought. And in this blog post, we’ll shed some light on the different positions of headstones and their religious/cultural meaning. Stay with us!
Origin Of A Headstone Facing East
Many religions believe that the east is a place of new beginnings, and this may be because the sun rises in the east. Ancient people saw the rising sun as a sign of progress and looked forward to each new day with eager anticipation. Christianity teaches us that there is hope for us all through Christ’s sacrifice.
Guidelines For Headstone Orientation Based On Religion
Jewish Headstones
Jewish people traditionally have their headstones face a specific direction. When families wait for the ultimate redemption and messianic era, loved ones are typically laid to rest with feet oriented towards entering a cemetery, symbolizing readiness to leave once resurrection occurs.
Buddhist Headstones
Buddhism is a very diverse religion with many different final arrangements. In Buddhism, people usually place the remains in an urn and then bury them for burial practices that vary from family to family.
Islamic Headstones
Headstones are designed to be placed at an angle so visitors cannot walk or sit in the final resting place. Headstones also have restrictions on their style and design, which vary by region. Still, they should always face Mecca—the Qibla- to align buried loved ones with it when viewed from above ground level.
Catholic Headstones
Catholic churches do not have strict rules about orienting your loved ones’ casket during a funeral Mass. However, there’s still an expectation that they will face God rather than away from Him or toward any other person who might attend (such as family members). This rule only applies while you’re buried – not before then.
Forever In Stone Can Help You Honor Your Loved One!
Forever in Stone is proud to be Turlock, CA’s trusted stone engraving company, offering a wide selection of bronze markers and custom monuments. Our team is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality stone engravings made to last for many generations.
Whether you are looking for a stone memorial to honor your loved one or want to add a special touch to the cemetery, Forever in Stone is here to help. With our commitment to quality stone engraving and customer service, you can trust us to make the process a positive experience!