How to Choose a Memorial Plaque or Headstone: A Guide to Honoring a Life Well Lived
- Anna Ciboro
- May 4
- 2 min read
When someone we love passes away, we’re often faced with many decisions—each carrying deep emotional weight. One of the most meaningful is choosing how to honor their memory with a memorial plaque, gravestone, and/or digital tribute.
Whether you're planning a traditional service or creating a modern QR code memorial, this guide will walk you through your options thoughtfully, so your loved one’s legacy lives on with grace and intention.
Memorial Plaque vs. Headstone: What's the Difference?
Memorial Plaques: Flat, often personalized markers that can be placed on walls, benches, urns, outdoors ( or really anywhere that feels sacred and a special spot to remember your loved one). These are ideal for cremation memorials or digital tributes.
Headstones: Upright, engraved stones traditionally placed at burial sites. Most are crafted from granite or marble, built to stand the test of time.
Both can now include QR codes that link to custom digital memorials—an increasingly popular way to share memories online.
What memorial will you have?
Traditional Headstone
Traditional Headstone with Digital Memorial
Digital Memorial Only
I haven't started planning yet
What to Consider When Choosing a Memorial
1. Placement & Durability
Where will the memorial live-cemetery, garden, home? If outdoors, go with a weather-resistant plaque. Ours are guaranteed for 30+ years in an outdoor setting.
2. Personal Touches
The right details make a memorial personal. Consider adding:
A favorite quote or saying
Religious or cultural symbols
A QR code linking to a memorial tribute full of photos, videos, and stories
Hint: If your loved one didn’t plan their own memorial, think of something meaningful to include—a personal saying, a favorite lyric, or even a phrase that always made you smile. These small touches can make a memorial plaque or tribute feel truly theirs.
3. Digital Memorial Integration
Adding a QR code memorial plaque allows visitors to scan and instantly access a digital memory space—like a private site with:
Life stories
Audio messages or video clips
Tributes from friends and family
It's the bridge between a physical space and a living, breathing legacy online.
Cost Breakdown: Memorial Options at a Glance
Memorial Type | Estimated Cost |
Basic Memorial Plaque | $100–$500+ |
Traditional Headstone | $1,000–$5,000+ |
QR Code + Digital Site | ~$400 (bundled) |
Many families now choose a hybrid option—adding a QR code plaque to an existing headstone or garden memorial for a modern touch.
What Matters Most
Choosing a memorial isn't just about marking a place—it's about preserving a story. Whether you go with engraved stone, a QR code plaque, or both, the most important thing is that the memorial reflects who your loved one truly was.
It becomes part of the legacy you pass down.
We'd love to hear from you:
What’s a family tradition, phrase, or photo you’d want included in your own memorial-or someone else’s?
Share it in the comments. Your memory might help someone else honor a life.
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