Purchasing a Memorial ⋆ New England Monument Dealers Association
Dealers (By State)
Buying a memorial is something you may do only once in your life. You will be purchasing something that will last through the ages to commemorate the life of someone special, someone whom you loved dearly. It is a purchase that should be made with great care and consideration. There are many things you should know before you make the purchase so that you may be assured this important investment meets your needs and desires.
Why Use Memorial Grade Granite?
Granite, second only to diamonds in hardness, won’t erode over time. Memorial Grade Granite is recommended because your memorial will be crack and fault free, so you won’t have to worry about it breaking under normal environmental conditions.
When you are looking for an enduring, elegant and easy-to-care-for material, what you need is the unique and exclusive properties of granite. Granite is an all-natural material to which nothing has been added or removed and is available in a variety of colors, textures and finishes. Keep in mind that:
Granite possesses indisputable strength and long-term durability.
Granite resists wear and tear remarkably well.
Granite resists corrosion from polluted air and acid rain.
When used outdoors, granite’s mineralogical structure is not affected by freeze-thaw cycles.
Choosing a Monument Retailer
Choosing a monument retailer can be a difficult task. An established monument retailer with an honest reputation should be chosen. They should be a “full service” retailer, meaning that memorials should be their main business, not an add-on to some other business they do. The monument retailer should be able to provide you with a wide range of choices so that you may select the right memorial for you and your family. The monument retailer should work with you to create a memorial that is unique and beautiful. When looking for a monument retailer, inquire about work guarantees. You will want to have a retailer that will stand by their work for years to come
There are many cemeteries and almost as many regulations. In order to determine what type of memorial you can have, you need to first determine what the cemetery will allow. Your monument retailer can help you determine what a cemetery will allow.
Memorials come in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes. Some traditional options are upright, slant, and flush. Uprights provide the most room for inscriptions and stand straight up. Slants have a slanted edge where the inscription is carved. Flush markers are flat markers that can be laid on the ground. You can customize any of these shapes to fit your needs.
The type and color of the material is the first decision you will want to make. Granite is the most commonly used material for memorials because it will virtually last forever. Granite comes in many colors. Bronze is called the eternal metal, and can be used for flat memorials.
There are many different ways to personalize a memorial. You can use religious or fraternal symbols. Flowers are also popular. Scenes, portraits, autographs or your own design can also be used to personalize the memorial.
Prices of memorials can range from modest to substantial. The wide range of prices is due to your selection of material, the size and intricacies of the ornamentation and the services provided by the monument retailer. Only you know what is appropriate to spend on this long lasting investment. Your monument retailer will be happy to discuss costs with you and help you create a personalized and lasting memorial within your budget.
The following are organizations which many of our members also participate in:
© 2021 New England Monument Dealers Association ~ All rights reserved.