Upright Monuments

• Designed to stand straight up perpendicular to level ground.
• The engraved marker portion is known as a “die.” Most are usually 6″ or 8″ thick.
• The horizontal portion is known as the base and is usually required.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.
• Scenic designs and the family name are popular additions on the back.

Slant Monuments

• Upright slant shape. The thickness identified during ordering is the thickness of the base.
• The top is usually 2 inches thick.
• The top can be flat, oval, or serpentine shaped.
• A standard 2 inch to 4 inch nosing is recommended. This protects the polished etched surface.
• A base is optional and usually not required.
• May be used for individual or companion.

Flat Markers

• Designed to lie flat at lawn level.
• All are a minimum of 4 inches  thick.
• Provides burial information for a single individual.
• May be used for individual or ordered double width for a companion.

Bevel Markers

• Often called a Pillow Marker or Hickey.
• Slight bevel slant from back to front of marker.
• The back is 2″ thicker than the front to provide this bevel effect
• May be used for individual or companion.
• Usually 6″ or 8″ thick, however, thicker markers are available.

Ledgers

• Designed to lie flat at lawn level.
• All are a minimum of 4 inches thick.
• Covers the entire length of the buried.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.

Ledgers with Slant or Bevel Markers

• Combines a ledger with a slant or bevel
• Covers the entire length of the buried.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.

Cremation Memorials

• Similar characteristics of the Upright Monument
• Usually has one or more containers for the placement of cremated remains (cremains). Cremation urns are not used
• Most cremation memorials and benches have cored spaces in the granite where the cremains in a plastic bag are placed
• Much easier to maintain as the marker does not need to be moved for ground burials.

Benches

• Very popular for both a memorial and as a cremation memorial.
• Base is usually not required.
• Some style benches can hold the cremains of up to 6 loved ones.
• Enhances the beauty of burial garden.

Rock Monument

• Similar characteristics of the Upright Monument
• Area available for expression, decoration, and engraving is variable with the size of the stone and the polished face.
• Bronze markers may be mounted
• May also be used as a cremation memorial.

Finishes

• Polished -  Smooth surface, high gloss mirror like shine
• Sawed – Smooth surface, dull look of the natural stone
• Steeled - Smooth surface, appears lighter and frosted
• Rock Pitched – Rough surface, finished with hammer and chisel

Types of Carving

• Flat Carving: Outline only, without shape.
• Shaped Carving: Textured and dimensional.
• Simple Carving: Simplistic flower or leaf design.
• Band Carving: Continuous carving around memorial.
• BAS Relief Carving: 3 Dimensional, Very complex and expensive.
• Complicated Carving: Complex designs and heavy carvings

Etching

• Etched designs must be on either black, dark red or dark mahogany granite. They are not suitable for gray or white granites. For truly exceptional etchings, we strongly recommend Jet Black granite.  Flash Black can also be etched, although the etching doesn’t show up quite as well as on Jet Black.
• Use etching designs when your picture requires a lot of detail
• Etching designs are permanent, just not as deep as sandblasted carving
• Complexity of design and size of memorial determine etching cost.  We are capable of etching any design into granite that you want to create.
• Designs, pictures, scenes and portraits may be plain or colored etched
• Plain etching results from the natural color of the granite appearing through the granite polish.
• Color etchings are created from using different colors of special lithochrome paint in a plain etching.To see  photos of monuments with etchings in our Photo Album section, click here.

Panel Types