There are very few bonds stronger than that of husband and wife. And when your life partner passes away, it may feel like a part of you has gone missing, too.
While your spouse may not be physically with you anymore, there is a way to ensure you’ll both be together forever in your final resting place—through companion or couples memorials.
Companion cemetery monuments are for two people who were very close, like a husband and wife or siblings. Couples memorials typically go over two side-by-side graves, and come in lawn-level, slant, bevel, monuments or benches.
Couples have a variety of personalization options available that will help create a memorial of distinction. Below, we detail six design considerations for husband and wife headstones.
1. Husband and Wife Headstone Portraits
A common design on a husband and wife headstone is a portrait. Either hand etched, laser etched, or a ceramic or porcelain photo, a memorial portrait adds a visual element for current and future generations to vividly remember their lost loved ones.
Companion memorial portraits can include two separate photos of the husband and wife, or one together.
Two separate photos of the husband and wife
One photo of the couple
Ceramic photos
2. Individual or Husband and Wife Headstone Symbols
What symbol represents you individually, or you and your spouse together? Perhaps you both enjoyed the outdoors and immediately thought of flowers. For others, your career may have come to mind first. Or you may have pictured a religious symbol after attending a place of worship together throughout your marriage.
Regardless of what came to mind first, adding a symbol to a memorial can represent you and your spouse’s life for all to see. Some commons headstone symbols include:
- Symbols of life and love, such as a heart, rings, butterfly, book, flower or anchor.
- Animals, such as a dog, cat or horse.
- Signs for personal passions, such as a guitar, cooking equipment, or bowling pins and a ball.
- Religious symbols like praying hands, a cross, rosary or angels.
Here are a few examples of couple memorial symbols we’ve seen:
3. Meaningful Quotes for Couples Headstones
Inscriptions are one of the most popular design elements you will see on a memorial—single or companion. Ranging from phrases to quotes, dates or Bible verses, memorial inscriptions can be unique and special to the individual, husband and wife or surviving family members.
Husband and wife memorials often include a wedding date or a quote that describes their love for one another. Some of the most popular examples include:
- Forever in our hearts.
- Together in life and death.
- Always in our hearts.
- Everlasting love.
- Your love will light the way, your memory will be forever with us.
>>> Related Resource: 25 Memorial Quotes For Husband and Wife Headstones
4. Relationship to Family
Oftentimes, loved ones define themselves in terms of family relationships. Family is what many of us consider a core value in life. Are you a grandmother, mother or sister? How about an uncle, brother or son? Similar to inscriptions, many couples chose to include their family “title” or relationships on their headstone.
>>> Related Resources: Memorial Quotes for Mothers and Grandmothers and Memorial Quotes for Fathers and Grandfathers
5. Custom-Shaped Monuments
As the name implies, a custom-shaped husband and wife monument can be larger than other grave markers, but not always, and is an impressive sight in a cemetery. If you’re looking for a more eye-catching design, consider a custom upright monument in any shape or style that represents the life you’ve created together as husband and wife.
>>> Related Resource: Browse our monument gallery.
6. Second Marriage Memorials
There may come a time in your life when your spouse passes away and you get remarried. Many remarried couples wonder, “Am I able to be buried with my new husband or wife as well?” Like every other aspect, there is no “right answer” to this. It is entirely up to you. Here are some options to consider:
- Add your spouse’s name to the memorial and leave the other side blank for now. If you aren’t sure what to engrave at that moment, this gives you the chance to decide later. A sibling or child could be buried next to your loved one instead of you, if you choose.
- If you had children together and were married at time of death and aren't considering more children, you might consider being buried together regardless of being remarried because it is who you had your children with.
Keep in mind the purpose of a memorial is to give family and friends a place to remember their loved one. This can be an extremely challenging decision and is often different from family to family.
Explore Other Elements of Headstone Design
Adding personal touches like symbols and meaningful inscriptions to a headstone is one of several steps in the headstone design process. Discover even more about memorial design, like headstone shape and granite color, in our Headstone Design Guide.
