About 19th Century Gravestones

At the beginning of the 19th century, marble became a popular material because of its neoclassical associations. Unfortunately it has not weathered well as automobile emissions and acid rain have obliterated many of these marble carvings. Along with new materials, there was also a shift towards memoralizing the dead and expressing the grief of the survivors in the epitaphs. Neoclassical designs such as the urn, the willow tree and columns became popular motifs. By the 1820's design had become increasingly stylized and standardized. The craftsmanship and art of the stoncutter was increasingly replaced by mass produced headstones. The graveyard itself became standardized as it was divided into identical plots and grids. By the 20th century, markers and headstones resembled those in cemetaries all over America.

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