Cemeteries are full of all kinds of memorial monuments and choosing the right one is a difficult decision. Before you select a memorial monument, read through the information below. A monument is an expensive purchase and will permanently mark your loved one’s grave. Furthermore, the monument will be inscribed with a few words that will create a lasting tribute to the person. For these reasons, and more, it is important to do research and choose the best possible monument for your loved one.
Simply put, a memorial monument is any type of marker in a cemetery to mark the location of a grave. Monuments can be erected in other locations, such as a park, to pay tribute to a person or group of people. However, these types of monuments are typically built in remembrance of a noteworthy person. This article will focus on purchasing a memorial monument for a cemetery.
Since there are many ways people want to express their love for the dead, the simple cemetery monument has evolved over the years. People want the best monument for his or her loved one and today, there are a wide variety of types, sizes and designs to choose from.
How to Buy a Memorial Monument
Type of Material
There are numerous types of material that can be used to create a memorial monument; however, the following are the most durable and commonly available.
Granite
Granite is the most popular material for a memorial monument. Granite is beautiful and extremely durable, making it a perfect choice for a monument. Granite is difficult to carve by hand, but modern machinery can inscribe almost any type of text or imagery on the stone.
Marble
Marble is easier to carve than granite and because of that it used to be more common. However, marble is more porous and will deteriorate faster than granite. It is also more expensive than granite, which is why it is far less common to see a new marble memorial monument in a cemetery today.
Bronze
Bronze is a common type of monument because of its longevity and lower cost compared to stone monuments. A bronze plaque is typically attached to a headstone or flat marker. Bronze can be cast in different shapes and engraved with text and images.
Eco-Friendly
Wood crosses are used as roadside monuments and at green funerals. They are low-cost, but will only last 50 to 100 years. Planting a tree or other plant in remembrance of a loved one is becoming common. Especially if the tree is planted where the casket or ashes are buried.
Style of Monument
There are numerous styles of monuments available and most companies can create a custom monument in any shape; however, the following are the most common styles.
Upright
An upright monument is one of the most popular monuments and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Upright monuments are also referred to as headstones and tombstones. A typical upright headstone is rectangular, but can also be shaped like an angel, heart, or other design.
Flat
Flat monuments are becoming increasingly popular because of their lower cost due to less material required. Many cemeteries prefer flat markers because they do not detract from the natural landscape and their lawnmowers can easily drive over them. Flat markers are almost always a rectangular shaped, but custom designs are available.
Slant/Bevel
A slant monument is a cross between a flat and upright monument. The slant, or bevel, monument is raised slightly off the ground and slanted forward making it higher in the back and shorter in the front.
Companion
A companion monument can be upright, flat, or slant. It will be longer in length and have room to commemorate the life of two people, typically a husband and wife. Sometimes two individual monuments are combined to make a companion monument.
Before buying a memorial monument, you should first check if there are any restrictions in your chosen cemetery. Some cemeteries do not allow certain types of monuments. There may be restrictions on the monument material, shape, size or design. You should also discuss installation with the cemetery to see if they provide installation assistance, or if the monument company will have to install the monument for you. If you are purchasing the monument from a local company they should be familiar with the regulations and can help you choose the perfect monument for your loved one’s grave.
