Buyer's Guide

We offer a variety of monument colors, shapes and sizes. Visit our Design & Artwork Galleries to see all types of memorials; crosses, upright monuments and markers designed and carved for our customers. We listen carefully to what you, our customers, like and want.

You may also click the button below to search or browse our Online Catalog and use our Online Designer to try your hand at designing your own.

Purchasing a memorial is a major investment of time and money and should be undertaken with great thought and care.  Whether you are making immediate or pre-need arrangements for a funeral or purchasing cemetery property, you should know that you and your family ARE NOT obligated to purchase a monument from a funeral home or a cemetery. Unfortunately, many cemeteries, especially those that are corporately owned, routinely employ high-pressure sales tactics in an effort to intimidate families until they buy from them. In fact, a good argument can be made to delay the purchase of a memorial, the one visual and lasting tribute, until other matters are complete.

We strive to be a reliable source of information regarding the various regulations of the cemeteries in your area. Since cemeteries often have regulations regarding the size and type of memorial in certain areas of the cemetery, it is wise to consult with us - even before you purchase your cemetery property.

Visit us to see the different styles of monuments or markers. If you are unable to visit our office we offer in-home service. We will help you design a memorial and then see it through every process until it is installed in your cemetery.

Your wishes along with our suggestions will help you decide on the appropriate text, floral, epitaphs and meaningful symbols for your memorial. We will prepare drawings for your approval to help you visualize the finished memorial as well as to check for any possible errors before the final work is completed on the stone.

Reasons to Purchase a Monument Before Need

Increasingly, people are choosing to purchase their own monuments before needs arise. By planning ahead, you can select the monument style, size and granite color you prefer. We can always find a way to create a personal, meaningful monument that fits any budget.  A personalized design, which you can help us to create, can reflect your beliefs, values or what ever is meaningful to you.

By purchasing a monument before the arises you may save money. Purchasing with today's dollars, like everything else, will cost less now than in years to come.  It is also less of an emotional burden to purchase a memorial in advance. You have the opportunity to discuss the many options with your loved ones.

Choosing a Monument

Cemetery memorials range from flat, beveled or slant markers that lie on the ground to elaborate, multi-piece upright monuments. Where cemetery regulations allow, monuments may also include crosses, statues and flower vases.

Most monuments are made from granite because of its durability, its reasonable price and its availability in a wide range of colors, including gray, black, red, pink, brown, green, and blue. Marble is available in white and gray. Bronze is often used for flat markers and for embellishments to monuments.

Granite and marble comes in different qualities, some of which may not be suitable for cemetery memorials.  We only use the finest quality granite and marble that will accept different styles of lettering and design work. Be sure to look at quality, finish and design, as well as size, if you are comparing prices.  Pictures or brochures often do not accurately depict colors and textures of granite and marble.  Please visit us for a personal look at the beautiful, natural materials we offer.

Styles of Monuments

Upright monuments come in a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes, providing a full range of creative and personalized works of art.

Slant and bevel markers are midway in height between flat markers and upright monuments. They come in single or double sizes and can be personalized with symbols or inscriptions.

Flat markers can be personalized, but the design is naturally restricted by the smaller area. Because they lie flush with the ground, they often are hard to locate in the cemetery.  They are ideal when used with a large, upright family-style monument where there are multiple interments.

Cost

Monuments and Markers are priced according to size, color of material used, design and installation cost, plus whatever applicable cemetery charges are involved. Prices can range from under $1,000 for flat markers and simple upright monuments to $10,000 and higher for more elaborate monuments. On the high end of the spectrum, large and impressive walk-in mausoleums can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is a very solid, concrete foundation used below upright monuments so there is very little problem with monuments tipping, shifting, or becoming unlevel.

Things You Should Know About Cemeteries

Cemeteries have different rules and regulations regarding monuments and markers. Before you buy a cemetery lot, ask what kind of monuments and markers are allowed. A monument builder is a good source of information on cemetery policies in your community. Some cemeteries, often called memorial parks, only allow flat markers. If your lot is in this type cemetery, you will never be able to place a traditional upright monument there. Those cemeteries may have an upright section, also. They may impose restrictions on the size, which could severely limit your choice. When you purchase a cemetery lot, be sure to know if traditional upright monuments are allowed and if there are limitations on location and size.

Many cemeteries charge a variety of fees for installation of the monument, perpetual care, maintenance, and other add-on services. Some cemeteries will tell a customer that they are the only ones who can install a monument, that installation costs are part of the lot price or that since your family member is buried in our cemetery that you have to purchase your monument from them. This is ILLEGAL. Ask questions before you buy a cemetery plot and be sure you receive satisfactory answers.