Awesome thing to do and have on the stone :)

I have lost both parents and my entire mother's side of the family, at 40 yrs. old, and responsible for the burial 4 of them... it is the nicest thing you can do for your family. It will save a ton of "wondering", "did we do the right thing?", "is that what he/ she would have really wanted?" It will also settle any disputes that may arise as well. Bravo to you and although they might not be keen on knowing/ thinking about it right now, they will be soooo thankful when the time comes :)

Well, then I'm weird too! DH and I love cemeteries. There's something beautiful about them, and I always think about all the stories there must be of all the people buried there...

awesome idea!

Hey, I got my plot for my birthday this year! I didn't think it was weird. My husband and I went and picked out our spot together. It's all paid for so one less thing for the kids to worry about. My best friend picked out a needle and spool of thread for her tombstone. The sad part is, I got to visit her spot last year.

No, my hubby and I picked out our headstone years ago.

Not weird at all. My folks prepaid for their funerals, including headstones, in installment payments many years ago - certainly saved us having to deal with burial issues and costs as we mourned the loss when each died.

It might be strange if you are going to keep it in the livingroom. lol
Seriously, this is a very thoughtful thing. The more prepared we are, the greater the gift to leave our loved ones.

I think it's a great idea to do the sewing machine emblem- could even add words : "still sewing" "died with the most fabric" "sewing in the beyond" "gone to the big fabric store" "now making quilts for angels" May sound tacky now but think of the things that are on tombstones in early western towns- some of them are quite amusing but told a story about the person- their history is told on their tombstones.

I think the idea of sewing machine or quilt is good. When my parents passed we all thought of an antique tractor for dad but couldn't think of something for mom so we skipped it, but sewig machine would have been perfect. We also did do the parents of for the back.

Not at all. My SIL's grandparents had their stone done ahead of time and hers had flowers and his had tomato plants. I thought it was very touching. They died within a year of each other. When she went, he only wanted to follow her and did so..

I don't think its weird. No one in my family plans for these things so there is a scramble to gather money for all the costs when something happens. I am just glad to hear that you are so proactive in the planning stage.

I think it is a lovely idea to make a difficult time easier for your loved ones.

I wonder if they could do a "barn quilt" type thing instead of a sewing machine? The other day, I was thinking I would like "Just Visiting" on my tomb stone. I have a weird sense of humor.

good idea

I THINK THAT IS GREAT TO PUT,I HAD AN ELDERLY WOMAN HAD A DOUBLE WEDDING RING IN THE TOP PIECE OF HER CASKET IT REALLY LOOKED AWESOME SINCE SHE LOVED TO QUILT.I HAVE ALREADY TOLD MY DAUGHTER THATS WHAT I WANT TO.IF NOT I WOULD COME BACK AND HAUNT HER LOL.

Putting a quilt or a sewing machine on a headstone is a wonderful idea. I think you should put something on your headstone that you love. I think if a man can put a fishing pole and fish on a headstone you can put a sewing machine. We have our funeral already planned and paid for.

I think it is the smart thing to do. You have what you want and don't leave the burden to your children.

I think its a very lovely idea and gives those who visit the cemetary a glimpse of your life.

I do not think that is strange.
You really have a great regard for their children.
That moment is terrible, I know from personal experience. Having to make decisions about things we have like a catalog, only worsens the situation.
They will understand some day and be grateful.
A hug!

MY HUSBAND AND I PICKED OUT OUR RESTING PLACE IN 1971 WHEN OUR SON PASSED AWAY HEADSTONE BOUGHT ALL PAID FOR AND OUR WISHES WERE TOLD TO OUR CHILDREN DH IS LAYING THERE TODAY SO MY NAME IS ALREADY ON MY HEADSTONE MAKES THINGS A LOT EASIER FOR YOUR LOVED ONES ON MY SONS HEADSTONE IS THE SAYING GRANDPA'S GEORGE AS THAT IS WHAT HIS GRANDPA CALLED HIM BUT HIS GIVEN NAME WAS KEITH SORRY THIS IS SO LONG

MY HUSBAND AND I PICKED OUT OUR RESTING PLACE IN 1971 WHEN OUR SON PASSED AWAY HEADSTONE BOUGHT ALL PAID FOR AND OUR WISHES WERE TOLD TO OUR CHILDREN DH IS LAYING THERE TODAY SO MY NAME IS ALREADY ON MY HEADSTONE MAKES THINGS A LOT EASIER FOR YOUR LOVED ONES ON MY SONS HEADSTONE IS THE SAYING GRANDPA'S GEORGE AS THAT IS WHAT HIS GRANDPA CALLED HIM BUT HIS GIVEN NAME WAS KEITH SORRY THIS IS SO LONG

When my DH died, I got my stone at the same time and all that's left is my end date. Kids won't have to do a thing but that. Feels good to have this out of the way.
When my mother knew her death was imminent, she called the crematory then sent them a check. Mama was a "take care of business" kinda gal.

I made a lap quilt for DH's grandmother with blocks for each grand and great-grand child. When she died I told mother-in-law to leave it on her. She "wore" it for the viewing and we sent her on her way still covered by the quilt she loved.[/quote]

My DSIL and I talked about the quilt I had just sent her and how much she liked it. She had a massive heart attack six hours later. The quilt was on display at the viewing and went with her.

Do it by all means. My dad died in 1987 and when Mother died in 2004, she still could not decide on a headstone. They have one now. When we went camping, Mother had collected river rocks (one a year) for a fireplace she never had built. We used the river rock for a "fireplace" headstone and the oval where the fire would be is a black granite marker for the family name. We have no problem telling anyone how to find the plot.

It's a great idea. Also, put mention of it in your last instructions, so survivors will know it is all taken care of before the need.

Not at all. Many people buy their headstone ahead of time and even have it placed on their plot.... just leaving off the dates.
I love the little sewing machine idea !!!

Go for it, I dont think it is weird...if someone does, it is not their tombstone lol.

I really like that idea, nice Joyce

some people I know are putting long poems and sayings on, I think that is great, because I like reading tombstones if we are in a cemetary, some people are going the cremation route and others to science. I haven't made up my mind yet, but I sure dont want a funeral.-- J

Great idea, choose your favorite quilt block, and your family will be pleased. piecefully, the old one

It's a great idea. I went with my Dad when he was heathy and pick out a coffin and cemetery plot. It made it easier when he passed away that we didn't have to worry about doing this. I wish we had pick out the stone at that time because I had to do it later and was not happy with how it turned out.
I think it's a good idea to take care of as much in advance as possible.

You will be remembered for what is dear to your heart. Go for it! We just put our stone in the cemetary next to our dear granddaughter whom we lost when she was 3 mos. old. She would now be 25, and with our stone there her space doesn't look so forlorn.

I love this humor. My sister wants to be laid out sitting in a chair, and her voice saying, Thank you for coming to visit now. You are a little
too late.

my mother tried that and it didnt work.she thought shed get the stress off me her primary caregiver and have everything decided before she passed she had bought plots when my dad died so that was taken care off a couple years after she bought her casket. well when she found out she was terminal she picked out her clothes and started worrying about a stone.
she and i went to to the place she picked it out i put it on layaway she didnt think i should pay alone so she told my brothers to help pay. 1 did and 1 didnt but i paid his part. the one that didnt hasnt stopped complaining in the last 10 years. i
informed him it was what she wanted and i just paid she picked every detail herself and im sure i havent heard the end of it yet.
if you do that whatever you choose make sure your kids know you picked it that way.
carla

Nope...not weird...it's a good idea...after my uncle retired from Duponts, he was an auctioner...my aunt was a lifelong doll collector...on their tombstone, on his side is a gavel, and on her side is a doll...it is fantastic to do it beforehand and one less thing your family must do at a difficult time...Naomi

Because I had to do this task for 2 husbands, my mother and my daughter, I have my entire good-bye set. I have pre-paid everything. I feel this will help them get back to business and raise and protect the future generations. And I will know that my wishes will be fulfilled.

Not weird at all. I have seen many joint stones, DH and DW, Aunt,Uncle...one of them I remember was a foot ball, and on the other side flowers.

Not at all. I know lots of people who have picked their tombstone ahead of time. In fact, my second hubby had a stone the cemetery had trashed, resurfaced and fixed for himself. Let it sit in our yard for a while and then set it at his gravesite about 3 yrs. before he passed away. Makes sense to me.........saves the kids the trouble and you get what you want!

It's a very thoughtful thing to do, unfortunately most of us just can't face the task. And to personalize it is a great idea.

People put any thing and every thing on tombstones now adays. If your husband was in the service, he is entitled to a free stone, engraved and an emblem of the branch of service he was in. We just checked it out and we were in the process of arranging our funeral etc. I got so emotional,it was like one of had already died. We had to leave and have never gone back, but we will have to get to it, sooner or later.