Epitaph for a gravestone – what it is, how it differs from an openwork plaque and an engraved plaque, how to choose
Short answer: epitaph (from Gr. epigraphē – inscription) is, in gravestone accessories, a decorative stainless-steel element that combines a motif – a cross, doves, ears of wheat, a willow, a rosary – with the text of the inscription. At Zecero an epitaph is cut from a single sheet of stainless steel, usually in three sizes (15×35, 23×44 and 27×52 cm; individual designs come in other formats) and four finishes – the price depends on the size and finish. It is chosen when the inscription is meant to be the decoration of the plaque at the same time.
Epitaph, openwork plaque or engraved plaque?
| Epigraph | An openwork plaque | Engraved plaque | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | a decorative motif combined with the inscription text in a single element | a plate in which the design and text are cut through | a solid plate with text and graphics laser-engraved into the surface |
| Effect | striking, three-dimensional, replaces a separate cross and ornaments | light, "lace-like", the stone background shows through the pattern | flat, discreet, holds a lot of text |
| Dimensions at Zecero | usually 15×35, 23×44 and 27×52 cm | 2 formats depending on the design: most often 30×53 and 40×71 cm, e.g. 2214: 30×43 and 40×57 cm, 2213: 30×51 and 40×68 cm | from 8×10 to 19×25 cm (depending on the model) |
| Mounting | on pins glued into the stone | na bolcach (w cenie) lub na taśmie dwustronnej (+20 zł) | na bolcach (w cenie) lub na taśmie dwustronnej (+20 zł) |
| Price | od 605,90 zł | od 756,98 zł | od 514,90 zł |
| Best for | a main inscription with a religious or symbolic motif | large decorative plaques with a short text | columbaria, biograms, details of another person |
The "from" prices are the lowest prices in the configurators on the product pages (zecero.pl, as of November 2026); the final price depends on the design, size and finish. You can see the full range in the categories epigraphs, openwork plaques and engraved plaques.
When an epitaph instead of individual letters?
- When the plaque is meant to be "closed" by a single element – an epitaph combines the symbol and the inscription, so there is no need to choose a separate cross and ornaments.
- When even spacing matters to you – the whole composition is cut from a single sheet, so there is no risk of letters placed unevenly.
- When mounting should be simple – a few fixing points instead of dozens of holes for individual letters.
- When the inscription is short and symbolic – e.g. a first name, surname and dates, or a motto with a motif.
For a long inscription or several people on one grave, applied letters are more practical applied letters – it is easy to add further details in the same font.
How to choose an epitaph motif for a gravestone?
- Symbolism – a cross and doves are the most common choice for Catholic graves, ears of wheat and vines symbolise maturity and the gift of life, willow – mourning, anchor – hope, angel's wing – protection. More in the article religious symbols on gravestones.
- Shape of the gravestone – oval epitaphs with a frame soften stark, rectangular forms; open shapes without a frame suit modern gravestones.
- Background – on heavily weathered stone choose designs with a clear, full line; delicate motifs (lily of the valley, butterfly) look best on a plain background.
Which epitaph size to choose?
| Size | For which plaque |
|---|---|
| 15×35 cm | small plaques, urn graves, an additional element next to the letters |
| 23×44 cm | a standard plaque for a single grave |
| 27×52 cm | large plaques, double graves, the inscription as the main element |
Practical rule: the epitaph should occupy no more than about two-thirds of the plaque's width and leave a margin of at least 8–10 cm around it. Before ordering, cut a 1:1 scale rectangle from cardboard and hold it against the plaque. The dimensions of the gravestone itself are discussed in the guide gravestone dimensions.
Finish and lead time
Każdy epigraf możesz zamówić w polerze, satynie, czerni lub złocie. Cena zależy od wykończenia i wymiaru – np. epigraf 2145 w formacie 15×35 cm kosztuje 605,90 zł w polerze lub satynie, 696,90 zł w czerni i 1197,90 zł w złocie. Wzór ma dużo krawędzi, więc wykończenie mocno wpływa na odbiór: poler świeci najmocniej i jest widoczny z daleka, satyna jest spokojna i nie razi w słońcu, czerń zamienia motyw w wyraźny rysunek na jasnym kamieniu, złoto nadaje uroczysty charakter. Poler i satyna są gotowe w 3 dni robocze, czerń po 7, a złoto po 21 dniach. Dobór koloru do kamienia: tombstone letter color.
Mounting the epitaph
The epigraph is mounted on pins (dowels) glued into holes drilled in the stone, which makes for a durable and invisible fixing. The instructions in PDF are included with your order; the next steps (layout, drilling, gluing) are the same as for letters (see mounting letters on a gravestone). For large formats and historic gravestones, it is worth having a stonemason carry out the installation.
Frequently asked questions
Is an epigraph the same as an epitaph?
Not quite. An epitaph is the text itself – the inscription commemorating the deceased (see gravestone inscriptions). In our range of gravestone accessories, an epigraph is a steel element on which this text is placed together with a decorative motif.
Will the inscription on the epigraph wear away over time?
No – the inscription is laser-engraved into stainless steel, so it does not fade or wear off, and the steel is covered by a 10-year corrosion warranty.
Can I see an epigraph on a photo of my gravestone?
Yes – send us a photo of the gravestone and the text of the inscription via the contact page, or call us: we will prepare a visualisation of the chosen model, including two variants for comparison if you wish.
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