Headstones in Maribor: what to look for when choosing one

Marnit's roots go back to making headstones. More than 120 years ago, our first products were headstones in the Magdalena part of Pobrežje Cemetery in Maribor. It was also one of the fields where we broke new ground and refined our craft down to the last detail.

A headstone has always been a way to honour the deceased and show them great respect. Today a headstone is also seen as a status symbol, and choosing one can be a real burden for the family. 

A natural stone headstone stands for eternal life through its permanence. It comes in many shapes that represent different symbols of life and eternity. There are of course several types of natural stone to choose from too. 

So what should you look for when choosing a headstone?

1. Type of natural stone

Many people think only granite is suitable for a headstone, but that is not true at all. Keep in mind that headstones are exposed to all kinds of weather and conditions, which affect each type of stone differently. 

So several stones are suitable for a headstone.

Granite is one of the most versatile natural stones of igneous origin. It is one of the highest-quality natural materials and can be used for very different purposes. Its hardness and resistance also make it very popular in construction. It is a popular choice for headstones because it needs no special maintenance and is very resistant. 

Granite is generally regarded as a stone that lasts for ever.

Marble is limestone that formed through metamorphism below the Earth's surface. Because of how it formed, marble comes in many beautiful and distinctive colour ranges. It is quite a common natural material for headstones. It is also a little more delicate than granite, so it is better suited to areas that are not very damp. 

Marble has a slightly “softer” look, and over the years its surface develops a “patina”, so the colour changes a little. Some people like exactly that and say the stone has “more life” in it.

Limestone is a somewhat more porous stone that needs more attention and care. It comes in many beige shades and has a more even structure. Limestone generally has a very simple, clean look and gives a headstone a touch of elegance. Its characteristics are similar to marble, so the same applies to it as to marble.

Sandstone is a sedimentary stone. It is very durable and strong. It is also very weather-resistant and is mostly used on outdoor surfaces. This makes it very well suited to headstones too. 

Because of how it is worked (rough surface), sandstone looks completely natural. It still offers many colours and patterns. It too develops a patina over the years, but the patina is easy to remove from sandstone.

Quartzite has very similar characteristics to granite, differing only slightly in colour and structure. The colour transitions are calmer, and otherwise it is strong, durable and elegant.

A headstone can also be made of other types of stone. But granite, sandstone, limestone and marble are the most common and most suitable choices. With these stones, headstones stay beautiful much longer than with other materials.

2. Shape of the headstone

Once you have chosen the stone for the headstone, it is time to think about its shape. The shape can depend on many factors, including local municipal regulations that set rules on the size and type of headstones. They can specify whether headstones are for single, double, urn or traditional graves, and whether the ground around them can be stone or grass. 

We will listen to your wishes on the shape of the headstone. We usually create shapes that represent symbols of life or eternity, or other symbols you choose. A headstone can be classically rounded, modern and rectangular, oval or irregular, or have cut tops or edges. 

There are no rules, only your wishes, and we do our best to meet them.

3. Colour of the headstone

There are many colours, shades and patterns of headstone to choose from. The most common choices are, of course, grey, black, red and white shades.

Cemeteries usually have no restrictions on colour, but they do have rules on size and dimensions. These are stricter mainly in larger towns, which face a shortage of space in cemeteries.

The colour of the headstone also depends on the stone you choose.

4. Lettering

At Marnit we also provide the inscriptions and lettering on headstones. These come in different materials, styles, colours and sizes. They are of high quality and stand up well to all weather.

At Marnit, every headstone is a one-off, made to the customer's measurements and wishes. We do not mass-produce headstones, but we offer a wide choice of colours and sizes. We can make single or family headstones, and many accessories are available to make the resting place even more peaceful. 

We also offer grave repairs, cleaning of memorial plaques and lettering.

Stonemasonry Marnit – over 100 years of experience with natural stone.