Memorial Planning Resources and FAQ
Memorial Planning Resources
We’re here to help make your memorial planning and purchase a great experience.
Planning a cemetery memorial often brings questions about design, cost, cemetery requirements, installation, future lettering, and long-term care. These resources provide straightforward answers to help families make informed decisions and understand what to expect throughout the memorial process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Memorials
FAQs
Questions about starting the process of selecting a memorial? Not sure which monument style is best for you? You’re not alone. Here are the questions we most commonly hear from clients.
Have a question that’s not already answered? Contact us! Our caring professionals will help you through the planning process from start to finish, answering all of your questions along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I Buy a Memorial from a Funeral Home or Monument Company?What Cemetery Rules Should I Check Before Buying a Memorial?- Can I install a memorial stone myself?
- How can I save money on a memorial stone?
How Is a Final Date Added to an Existing Memorial?What Should I Ask About Memorial Warranties?Can a New Memorial Match Existing Family Stones?
Should I Buy a Memorial from a Funeral Home or Monument Company?
Some funeral homes offer memorials through outside suppliers, while a dedicated monument company specializes in memorial design, granite selection, engraving, cemetery requirements, and installation. Working directly with a local monument company gives you access to knowledgeable memorial professionals throughout the entire process. Ask who will design, produce, install, and service the memorial before making your decision.
On the other hand, the monument company specializes in memorial work. When you deal with a local area monument company or a funeral home that is working with the area monument company, you are dealing with someone whose future depends entirely upon your satisfaction – the word of mouth effect. The monument company is the one that is completely familiar with memorial stones and related services. They know more about what should and should not be done than anyone else. They are the ones that do the work as well as the ones that sell it. Nothing could be better for the consumer than talking with someone who has actually done the work and has that hands-on knowledge gained from the personal experience of working with stone.
What Cemetery Rules Should I Check Before Buying a Memorial?
Cemetery rules may control the memorial’s size, style, material, foundation, placement, and installation. Some cemeteries also charge permit, foundation, or setting fees. Before purchasing a memorial, request the current written regulations from the cemetery and confirm the grave location, lot, block, space, and required facing. Our team can review the requirements and coordinate with the cemetery before production begins.
Can I install a memorial stone myself?
Cemetery approval is required before any memorial installation, and some cemeteries only allow insured monument professionals to perform the work. Granite memorials are extremely heavy and require proper lifting equipment, foundations, setting materials, and experience. Professional installation helps protect the memorial, nearby stones, cemetery property, and everyone involved. Contact us before attempting a customer installation so we can review the cemetery rules and available options.
How can I save money on a memorial stone?
Start by sharing your budget with a memorial consultant. Cost can often be adjusted through the monument’s size, granite color, finish, shape, lettering, and artwork while maintaining a durable memorial. Pre-planning also gives families more time to compare options and avoid rushed decisions. Ask for a complete price that explains the memorial, design work, foundation, cemetery fees, installation, and future service.
How Is a Final Date Added to an Existing Memorial?
A final date is usually engraved at the cemetery after the burial. The new lettering should closely match the existing inscription in style, size, depth, spacing, finish, and color. An experienced cemetery-lettering professional will inspect the memorial, confirm the inscription, and use equipment suited to on-site work. Because granite engraving is permanent, verify the spelling and date before authorizing the work.
What Should I Ask About Memorial Warranties?
Ask for written information explaining what is covered, how long coverage lasts, who provides the warranty, and how a future claim will be handled. Coverage may differ for granite, workmanship, foundations, accessories, vandalism, weather damage, and normal aging. Keep your contract, approved design, payment records, and warranty information with your important documents.
Can a New Memorial Match Existing Family Stones?
Yes. Bring clear photographs, measurements, and the cemetery location of the memorial you want to match. We can compare the granite color, shape, finish, lettering style, size, and design details. Natural stone and older hand-finished memorials may not match perfectly, but we can explain whether an exact match or a complementary design is the better option for appearance and budget.
Risks of Buying Online
There are a few good things about buying online, such as the ability to view a large variety of memorials quickly and the potential to save a little money… that is if you’re not afraid of extra work and risk. We believe the best way to purchase a monument is to meet the professionals who are creating this tribute and get practical feedback to ensure your investment yields a memorial that accurately reflects your loved one while also fitting your budget. Plus, online and big-box memorialists can’t match the superior craftsmanship of certified monument builders.
If you do choose to purchase online, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Granite is a natural stone product. The swatches you view on your computer monitor may vary distinctly from what you see in the delivered product. Be sure you understand the large grain patterns and colors that vary in pieces of granite.
- Be aware of the size, as photos can be misleading. You don’t want to end up with a memorial that is a different size you desired, especially if it winds up being something smaller or larger than what your cemetery allows.
- Watch out for hidden costs, which most online stores tack on later. These can include shipping, receiving, installation, setting, and foundation.
- Customization can be costly. If you choose a standard item, even seemingly small requests can be expensive, such as adding your family name or an epitaph.
- We’re always here to help, by phone, email, and in person. Unfortunately, a website in another state or country may be difficult to pinpoint someone to help in the event there is a problem. It can often be difficult to get an online vendor—who’s already been paid—to remedy issues if they arise.
- Required options may never be presented. Do you want a penciled edge or sawed sides on your flush marker? Do you want a polished margin on a marker base? You may never hear these terms during the purchase process but they are an important part of designing a monument.
- Finding a worker to receive the marker delivery and properly install it at the cemetery can be extremely difficult. Keep in mind that many monuments weigh more than 1,000 pounds. They must be joined together to prevent water from seeping between the pieces, which can cause the tablet to slide off during winter freezes.
- The risk upfront is all on you. Most online vendors require payment before they begin work, leaving you vulnerable and without leverage to ensure the project is completed as ordered.
In the end, you can decide to choose a local memorialist or online vendor. We’re available to answer any questions you may have.
Need Help Planning a Memorial?
Every cemetery and family situation is different. Visit our Clay Center, Holton, or Marysville location to discuss cemetery requirements, memorial options, pricing, installation, or future lettering. Call 800-369-6449 to speak with a local memorial consultant.