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The use of markers to commemorate the deceased dates back thousands of years, with ancient civilizations placing stones or markers at burial sites. However, the concept of inscribed headstones with personalized details gained prominence during the medieval period. As societies transitioned from communal burial grounds to individual graves, the need for identifiable markers became crucial. Over time, headstones evolved from simple slabs to elaborate sculptures, reflecting various architectural styles and cultural aesthetics. The Victorian era saw a significant shift in memorial art, with ornate and symbolic designs becoming prevalent. In the modern era, headstones often serve as personalized memorials, capturing the essence of an individual's life through engravings, epitaphs, and highly detailed artwork. The history of headstones is a testament to the enduring human desire to honor and remember the departed, offering a tangible link between the living and the legacy of those who have passed away.
Bronze Grave Markers
Bronze grave markers represent a distinguished and enduring tradition within the realm of memorialization. Renowned for their timeless elegance and resilience, these memorials have gained popularity for their ability to withstand the test of time and the elements. Bronze, a durable alloy of copper, tin, and other metals, allows for intricate detailing and artistic craftsmanship. Cast with precision and care, bronze grave markers offer a lustrous and dignified appearance that adds a touch of sophistication to cemetery landscapes. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these markers are celebrated for their resistance to corrosion, ensuring that the cast inscriptions and artistic embellishments remain clear and legible for generations. The use of bronze in memorialization is a nod to the enduring legacy of those laid to rest, symbolizing the lasting impact of their lives through a medium that gracefully weathers the passage of time.
Granite Gravestones
Granite gravestones stand as enduring tributes, embodying both strength and timeless beauty in the area of memorialization. Mined from the Earth's depths, granite's durability makes it a preferred choice for crafting headstones that withstand the elements, ensuring longevity in cemeteries and memorial gardens. Beyond its robustness, granite offers a versatile canvas for intricate carvings, inscriptions, and artistic details. The natural variations in color and texture create unique and personalized memorials, reflecting the individuality of those they commemorate. As a symbol of permanence, granite gravestones convey a sense of resilience and dignity, becoming lasting markers that preserve the memory of loved ones for generations. From classic and understated designs to elaborate and ornate monuments, granite gravestones serve as enduring testaments to the lives and legacies of those who have passed, standing as stoic sentinels in the quiet landscapes of remembrance.
Laser Engraved Headstones
Laser engraved headstones represent a modern and technologically advanced approach to memorialization, seamlessly blending innovation with the timeless tradition of honoring the departed. Utilizing precise laser technology, these headstones allow for intricate and detailed engravings on jet black granite. The laser's precision offers unparalleled accuracy, enabling the reproduction of intricate designs, photographs, and finely detailed inscriptions with a level of detail that traditional methods may find challenging. This method provides families with the opportunity to create highly personalized and intricate memorials that capture the essence of their loved ones. The clean lines and crisp detailing achieved through laser engraving contribute to a sophisticated and contemporary aesthetic, ensuring that the tribute to the departed is both visually striking and enduring. In combining cutting-edge technology with the art of memorialization, laser engraved headstones offer a unique and poignant way to celebrate and preserve the memories of those who have passed away.
Infant Headstones
Infant headstones stand as poignant symbols of love and remembrance, delicately honoring the tender lives that left an indelible mark on the hearts of grieving families. Crafted with utmost sensitivity, these small memorials often feature gentle motifs such as angels, teddy bears, or miniature footprints, encapsulating the innocence and purity associated with infancy. Composed of durable materials like granite or bronze, these headstones provide a lasting tribute designed to withstand the passage of time. Personalization plays a crucial role, allowing families to inscribe the infant's name, birth and passing dates, and heartfelt messages. In the face of unimaginable loss, infant headstones become sacred spaces for families to gather, reflect, and find solace, providing a tangible connection to the cherished memories of the little ones who, though gone too soon, will forever hold a significant place in the hearts of those who loved them.
Military Grave Markers
Military grave markers stand as solemn tributes to the sacrifice and service of those who have served in the armed forces, preserving their memory with honor and dignity. Typically made of durable materials such as marble, bronze or granite, these markers bear distinctive symbols of faith as well as the respective branch of service and details such as rank, name, and dates of birth and death. The gravitas of military grave markers extends beyond their physical presence, as they are often arranged in meticulously maintained military cemeteries, creating a landscape that pays homage to the collective bravery and commitment of those who defended their nations. The uniformity of design and meticulous alignment convey a sense of equality and shared sacrifice, emphasizing the unity forged in the crucible of service. These markers serve as reminders not only of the individuals who served but also of the larger narrative of duty, honor, and patriotism that echoes through generations.
FAQ's
1. Why does the cemetery make me feel like I
can only buy from them?
Cemeteries are in business to make a profit
and when they lose potential customers, they do not make money. It is not
unheard of that a cemetery will use tactics to dissuade a customer from
purchasing from an outside dealer
2. Will the cemetery accept a headstone
purchased from you?
Yes, as long as the headstone meets their
requirements they have no grounds to reject the memorial. It is your choice to
purchase a headstone from wherever you like. If you are experiencing a problem
with the cemetery you can always file a complaint with the ICCFA or Federal
Trade Commission.
3. Can the cemetery charge me an installation
fee if I purchase from you?
Yes, the cemetery can charge an
installation fee for a headstone purchased from an outside source, but they
must also charge if the headstone is purchased from them. You should not be
penalized for purchasing from another dealer. If you are experiencing a problem
with the cemetery you can always file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
4. Will I see a layout proof of the headstone
before it is produced?
Yes, once we have all of the information
necessary to start the order, and are ready to proceed with production you will
get a proof showing how the memorial will be produced.
5. Can the bronze designs be altered in any
way?
No, the designs we carry are templates and no
modification can be made to them. however, you can personalize the bronze grave
markers with bronze emblems.
6. Can I add a picture to a headstone I
ordered from you?
Yes, please contact our customer service to
inquire about pricing and details. Please note that not all headstone/grave
marker designs will accommodate a ceramic picture.
7. On a bronze headstone, can the vase be
turned into the marker when not in use?
Yes, all of our bronze vases are made to be
turned upside down and into a receptacle within the headstone when not in use.
8. Could I add a vase to an existing
headstone?
If you already have a headstone for your
loved one and want to add a flower vase
unit we can help. We offer several options for adding a vase to an existing
headstone. We offer granite, marble, bronze, zinc and aluminum vase options. Click here
to view all of our options.
9. Do you sell headstones other than flat
bronze and granite?
Yes, we also offer upright monuments, but
mainly in our local trade area. We can offer them for shipment beyond our trade
area provided the customer can help us with locating an installer.
10. Do your bronze headstones come with a
granite base?
All of our bronze headstones come with a
standard granite base in your choice of one of our standard colors.
11. Can I order the bronze plaque only?
Yes, you can order a bronze plaque only. Please
contact our office and we can give you pricing for one.
12. Do your headstone prices include adding the
final death date at a later time?
No, we only charge for what goes on the
headstone at the time it is ordered. Any future dates of death will be charged
for at the time of need.
13. If I purchase a pre-need grave headstone
who will take care of adding my death date?
First keep a copy of the original receipt
for your surviving family member(s). If you ordered a bronze headstone, you can
contact our office with the original order number and we can look up the
scroll/date tab and give you a quote. If you ordered a sandblasted granite
headstone, you will need to contact a local monument dealer to engrave the
final date.
14. Can you do lettering/characters in a
different language?
We can do most foreign languages that use
the English alphabet plus Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Hebrew, Farsi, Arabic and
most other languages for an additional cost. For a quote on special lettering/characters
contact us with your request.
15. Who installs the headstone at the cemetery?
In most cases the cemetery will offer the
installation services for a fee. If the headstone is going to a rural cemetery
or one which does not offer installation service, then you can contract with a
headstone/monument installer in your area to install it.
16. Can I install the grave headstone myself
and how?
We recommend having the headstone installed
by an experienced headstone/monument installer or the cemetery if possible.
However, if you are a do-it-yourselfer, here
is an article detailing how it can be done.
17. Is the shipping extra or is it included in
the price?
Most our products include the cost of basic
shipping to the lower 48 United States. In some cases where a delivery truck
with a lift gate is necessary for the delivery of a headstone or grave marker
with granite, there may be an additional charge upon which you will be
notified.
18. Where and when will my headstone be
delivered?
We prefer to ship the completed headstone
to the cemetery provided they have a grounds crew and the means to receive the
delivery. From the time we have approval from both the cemetery and your
approval of the drawing, it will take approximately ten to twelve (10-12) weeks
to deliver a headstone to its destination. Special headstones may take
additional time depending on the amount of customization.
19. Can I order a headstone and have it shipped
to a different state?
Yes, many of our customers use us for this
very reason. Our ability to deliver to any of the lower 48 states gives our
customers the flexibility of ordering from any one state and having it
delivered to a different state.
20. Can you ship a headstone out of the US?
No, we cannot have our headstones shipped
outside of the 48 contiguous United States. As an alternative, if you can
arrange shipment from a certain point in the US to an abroad location, we can
ship it to the US point of destination then you can take care of the rest.
21. What are my options with regard to shipping
the headstone?
You can have the headstone shipped to the
cemetery or a business address provided we have the business owner/manager sign
an acceptance of delivery form.
22. What is included in the price of a
headstone?
You can find this information when viewing
our catalog of headstones. The details are listed on the respective product
page.
23. Can you provide a quote for a custom
headstone?
Yes we can, please contact our office and
provide us with the details.
24. Since your headstone prices are less than
the local sources, is this reflected in the quality?
Definitely not! Our headstones are produced
utilizing the same materials and exceptional
workmanship when compared to other sources.
25. Do you offer payment plans?
No, not at this time. All purchases must be
paid in full prior to processing the order and sending it to production.
26. What do I need to know before ordering a
headstones?
The first and most important thing to know
is what type of headstone can be placed on the grave of your loved one within
the cemetery. Most cemeteries have restrictions regulating the headstone.
27. Are you a reputable company?
Yes, we are. We have been in business since
January of 2000 and have been a member of the Better Business Bureau since
2001. Our founder has over 35 years experience in the monument building
business.
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