Decorating your loved one's headstone for each holiday or season can help you to feel like he or she is still with you. When the fall season approaches, consider decorating the headstone to reflect the rich colors and beauty of autumn. Here are a few ways you can pay your respects to your loved one this fall.

Gourds And Pumpkins

Decorating with gourds and pumpkins offers an easy, hassle-free way to decorate. You can typically find small gourds and mini pumpkins at your local grocery store, nursery, or farmer's market. You can place them lovingly around the headstone, or you can arrange them in a wicker basket complete with a gold or orange bow. If your children want to help with the decorations, invite them to paint a small pumpkin, which can be added to the others.

Autumnal Wreath

Wreaths represent a traditional way to decorate a headstone, and a fall-themed wreath can bring a warm look to the grave site. For the fall season, consider one with dried pine cones, silk leaves, birds of paradise, marigolds, and zinnias. You can have your florist create a custom wreath, or if you prefer DIY projects, you can purchase a foam wreath designed for flower arranging to create your own. Be sure to purchase a wreath stand for the grave so you can display the flowers beautifully.

Potted Mums

Potted mums offer more of a lasting tribute, as they can simply be watered and cared for throughout the fall for a living decoration. Choose mums in rich fall colors, such as orange and yellow, and consider putting them in a fall-themed planter to complete this look. You'll want to remove them before the cold winter weather hits, but remember that you can bring these plants home where they can be cared for until the following fall. If flowers aren't to your liking, you can opt for a potted fall fern instead.

Halloween Decorations

If Halloween was your loved one's favorite holiday, you may want to add a few small decorations to reflect this. It is important that the decorations remain respectful, as you don't want to offend the family members of others buried in the cemetery. Opt for happy painted pumpkins or candle holders painted to look like candy corn. You can also hollow out a pumpkin and use it as a vase for flowers to create a unique decoration. Avoid spooky or scary decorations when adorning your loved one's headstone.

Be sure to check with the cemetery before adding any decorations, as there may be restrictions on the size and types of things you can add to each grave site. Once you have permission and know the restrictions, use these ideas to inspire you as you look for fall decorating ideas. For more information, contact companies like An Thiel Monuments.