Children and Infant Grave Marker Ideas

It takes a very special person to work in the funeral industry.

Whether you own, manage, or work in a business that offers grave markers for young children and infants, please know that this statement is particularly true of you.

Regardless of your role, you know all too well that helping parents make a purchase they never imagined having to make, and quite frankly, don’t want to make, is both mentally and emotionally taxing.

The fact that you are reading this blog shows that you appreciate the significance of memorialization and may be interested in new grave marker ideas.

My hope is that you are also open to hearing about some best practices for presenting options and upgrades.

While I am not one to make promises, I can assure you that you will have plenty of children and infant grave marker ideas after reading this blog.

Let’s go ahead and get started.

Custom Emblems

Teddy bears, angels, handprints, and footprints are all heartfelt, yet relatively common emblems for young children, toddlers, and infants.

Parents who prefer an emblem that is a little more personal to their child might be interested in a custom design.

The company (or companies) you work with should be willing to listen to a parents special request and make it a priority to accommodate whenever possible

I am always impressed by the custom emblems that the graphic designers at Trigard Memorials create for families.

One example that comes to mind is an emblem of a hand sewn baby doll a grandmother made for her granddaughter. The child’s mother was literally brought to tears when she saw the marker for the first time.

Our design team has also created several emblems inspired by the theme of a baby’s nursery or a child’s bedroom.

Interest and Eye Appeal

If a parent wants their child’s memorial to stand out from others, you could recommend that they add an unexpected decorative feature.

For instance, a family who is purchasing an upright marker might find it beneficial to add a built-in shelf to place tokens of remembrance.

Or they may choose to add a small bench for a place to sit while visiting the gravesite.

Adding a full-color graphic is another way to enhance the marker’s appearance and to reflect a child’s youthful spirit. Colorful backdrops will also add value and beauty to bronze memorials.

Portraits

Pictures are the most personal way to create an enduring memory on a grave marker.

I don’t think I need to explain why every monument shop, funeral home, and cemetery should offer a couple different types of portrait memorials.

However, I would like to emphasize the importance of having at least one brochure, display, or sample product that features an image of a child or baby.

In addition to creating interest in upgraded products, these types of sales tools will also help grieving parents visualize their child’s likeness on a grave marker.

Cut-outs and Shapes

Having been part of the funeral industry in one way shape or form my whole life, I have visited countless cemeteries and have seen a lot of unique grave markers.

But I must admit that it wasn’t until I started doing research for this blog that I realized how many different geometric shapes and architectural design possibilities are available for youth markers.

Regardless of whether a family is purchasing an upright, slanted, or flat grave marker, there are many ways to create a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable tribute.

Below is a list of some of the silhouettes that caught my eye and touched my heart:

• Baby shoes
• Building blocks
• Rocking horses
• Tricycles and wagons
• Toy trains

I encourage you to adopt the mindset that there is a first for everything and just because an option isn’t on the price list doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible.

A Story of Love and Grief

One of the most unique markers I have ever seen is that of 5-year-old Vivian Allison who passed away in 1899.

Vivian’s grave (which happens to be in my hometown) is marked by an ornate Victorian dollhouse that the little girl’s father had been building for her as a surprise.

Before the house was placed in the cemetery, Vivian’s mother sewed curtains for the windows and filled the house with her daughter’s toys.

Today, local volunteers lovingly care for the memorial and make repairs as needed.

While I realize that most cemeteries today wouldn’t allow such an unconventional memorial, I think it serves as a reminder that every grave marker should tell a story.

For grieving parents, that story is an embodiment of the hopes and dreams they had for their child’s life.

Final Thoughts

In closing, I would like to thank you for compassionately serving families who are faced with the loss of an infant or child.

Hopefully these children and infant grave marker ideas have given you inspiration today.

I would also like to invite you to explore the possibility of partnering with Trigard Memorials.

With customer service that is second-to-none, we make creating and ordering bronze memorials as easy as possible!