Headstones Terminology

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Headstone and Grave Marker Terminology

Die- The main part of the Headstone
Base the bottom part of a 2 piece Headstone, the piece that sits under the die.

Marker, Grave Markers, Grass Markers, Flat Markers- Headstones that lie flat on the
ground usually made of granite of bronze.

Monolith - A single headstone without a base.

Polished - A high glass finish, when followed by a number 1 ,2,3, or 5 refers to the
number of sides that
are polished

Serpentine - A raised curved surface int he top of the Headstone

Flat top -Top of the Headstone is flat

Two way cut- the two sides of the top of Headstones peak at the center

Gothic- A convex top which rounds up to a peak on the center line.

Oval Top - A half curve top of Headstones

Apex The top of a die sloping upwards to a point from the four sides.

Roof Top or Ridge Top -Slopes up from front nd back and peaks at the center top of
tombstones.

Axed or a surface dressed with a bush hammer.

Frosted Panel -The removal of the high polish by sand-blasting usually for the purpose
of making lettering boxes.

Flat carving. A shallow sandblasting of headstones to produce a design

Shaped Carving -Deep Carving using either a double or triple sandblast technique or
hand carving.

Rock Pitched Back, sides, face, ends. Rough rocky surfaces on Headstones or Bases.

Polished - A high glass finish, when followed by a number 1 ,2,3, or 5 refers to the
number of sides of headstones that are polished.

Steeled- a smooth but not highly polished surface on the granite Base

Sawn Edges - Edges of usually Grave Markers or Bases that are straight cut and not
rough rocked cuts.

Ledger or Slab -A flat memorial placed full length on the ground, which usually covers
the whole grave.

Western Slant Grave Markers- The front face of the Slant Marker
goes straight to down the entire face of the grave marker.

Front Nosing Slant Marker- the perpendicular facing
on the front bottom of the marker

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