Whether commemorating the life of your loved one, or planning ahead for yourself, the purchase of a monument should be accompanied with consideration and care. A monument is a tribute to a life that will last for many generations to come. We hope that some of the following information will aid you in your memorial style and design.
Materials:
- Marble has been used for centuries. It is a softer material on the hardness scale.
- Granite is commonly used in the production of monuments. It is a harder material and comes in many colors.
- Bronze is considered the “eternal metal” and is used on flat markers, statues, and as ornamentation on granite and marble.
Monument Styles:
Grass Markers lie flush with the surface of the ground. Grass Markers can be either individual or companion markers. Individual grass markers may be used in association with a Family Monument. Some cemeteries require flat markers, with or without bronze.
Bevel or Hickey Markers are set above ground level, but are low. They come in individual or companion sizes. Bevels are also commonly used in association with a Family Memorial. The back of the hickey or bevel marker is higher than the front of the monument.
Slant Markers are taller than bevel markers and are slanted so that inscriptions are easily read. Slants are offered as individual or companion memorials and can be used alone or set on a base.
Tablets
Vertical Tablet: A vertical tablet is tall and can be set alone as a MONOLITH or on a base. Tablets can be for individuals or for companion memorials. Tablets can range from small infant memorials to very large memorials. Inscriptions, carvings, and other ornamentation is determined by the size of the tablet and number of bases.
Horizontal Tablets are wider than they are tall, and it is normally set on a base. Burial Plot space is one consideration on the size of a horizontal tablet.
Ledgers are memorials that cover the entire grave. Although low to the ground surface, there is ample space for extensive decoration and long inscriptions. Ledgers typically are individual memorials.
Garden Memorials include benches, sundials, and urns. They may be used alone or with other memorial types. Depending on cemetery rules, garden memorials can be used in cemeteries as well as in the garden setting.
Custom Memorials: Modern technology allows monuments to be shaped into any form that can be envisioned. Crosses, hearts, angles, vehicles, animal or sports themes… the list is endless. Your custom memorial can be done.
Mausoleum Above ground internment for an individual or for a family.
Memorial Accessories: In today’s market there is a wide variety of memorial products that can be added to a monument. Some items are vases, lights, photographs, emblems, and statues .
Images: Images can be produced directly into stone by sandblasting or by carving or can be etched by an artist or by laser. Images can also be reproduced in ceramic or other materials and attached to a memorial. Landscapes, floral ornamentation, religious themes, and portraits can be reproduced.
Personalization: The life of every individual is unique and deserves some type of memorial. The monument may be small and simple or large and elaborate, but it can be made to be a personalized tribute to the life of your loved one. Signatures can be recreated, hobbies incorporated, phrases added..
Cemetery Regulations: If you have already purchased cemetery property, be sure that you are familiar with the cemetery regulations. Some cemeteries allow only lawn level markers. Others have dedicated area for different styles of monuments. If you have not purchased cemetery property, the size, shape and style of the monument may influence your choice in property.