There's a standard agreement that's expressed during a wedding ceremony. Yes, it's till death do you part (or till divorce, in some cases). But not all couples wish to part at death, and there are also couples who may spend a lifetime together without actually getting married. When you and your beloved plan to spend your entire lives together, what's involved in being laid to rest together?

The Burial Site

The logistics of burial must be considered. A shared cemetery plot differs from merely being buried side by side. It can involve being buried next to each other in the same plot (with the necessary width), but can also be achieved by increasing the depth of the burial without increasing the width. One casket is buried first, leaving space for the second casket to be placed on top when the time comes. This even accommodates a difference of opinion when one party wishes to be cremated, as these cremated ashes can be laid to rest in the same plot. Make sure your chosen burial site meets these needs.

Cemetery Monuments

A gravesite needs a headstone. Cemetery monuments are typically made for individuals, but since you and your partner will be sharing a grave, why not share a monument? A companion headstone is simply a shared monument, recording the details of both parties buried in the grave. Is a companion headstone any different from an individual's headstone?

Companion Headstones

There isn't a specific definition for a companion headstone, other than the fact that it includes details of more than one person. You have flexibility when it comes to the material, configuration, and size of the monument—precisely the same range of options for someone being commemorated with an individual monument. However, the ideal size of a companion headstone warrants some careful consideration.

The Size of the Monument

An upright rectangular monument is a good choice for a companion headstone. This is a classic design and permits the necessary physical space for the details of two people to be engraved on its surface. Although you can certainly choose a flat grave marker or a smaller upright monument, this can be too limiting in terms of what information can be listed. If you want your names, brief biographical information, and even an engraved photo of the two of you, you must choose a monument large enough for this purpose.

Being buried with the love of your life requires some careful planning—arguably more so than when a single individual is laid to rest. But provided you make the necessary arrangements with regards to your gravesite and cemetery monument (and communicate these arrangements to your next of kin), then it'll take more than death to part the two of you.

Keep these tips in mind when looking for burial monument services near you.