Headstones can be purchased either online , from your funeral home of choice, cemetery, or directly from the headstone vendor themselves. Purchasing directly from a retailer can also usually be done online, for a generally cheaper price. If you're purchasing a headstone online always check with your cemetery of choice before purchasing.
Many cemeteries have restrictions or requirements regarding the type of headstones they'll install on a gravesite. The last thing you want to do is purchase a beautiful and customized headstone, only to find out your cemetery can't or won't install it. Many headstones include custom designs, engravings, and even statues.
Browse affordable headstones. Headstones are not necessary purchases, but it's nice to have a spot where a loved one is buried be easily recognized. If you're worried about the huge prices that go along with purchasing a large, heavier headstone - consider a grave marker. Grave markers are sleek, inexpensive, and fulfill the same purpose of a headstone at a much cheaper price. Ongoing in our series on funeral industry professionals, we had the opportunity to interview a husband and wife duo in the industry: Maxton-Rosado Funeral Home funeral director, Vonda Rosado and funeral.
Another option that families consider instead of engraving the actual headstone is having a plaque made to place on the stone.
These are usually made from bronze or aluminum, and the engraver can do the work on the plaque prior to mounting it onto the headstone. Another cost to consider is shipping if you choose to order the stone online. While you can find savings by working with a memorial company online, most will charge you shipping, which can be quite a lot depending on the size and materials in the headstone and the shipping distance.
Make sure you're aware of a company's shipping policy before you start shopping to avoid sticker shock. Once you've chosen the headstone, you still need to pay to have it installed at the gravesite. This service is usually offered by the cemetery you choose, although you can also hire a third-party installation service.
Most cemeteries will not allow you to do it yourself, though if you are on a budget you can inquire if that's an option. Even durable headstones made from granite will need maintenance due to damage from environmental factors like wind, snow, and rain.
You have the option of caring for the headstone on your own or hiring a professional company. Purchasing your headstone ahead of time can sometimes save you money, although you should be aware that some cemeteries have restrictions on where you can purchase a grave marker. They may have preferred vendors that they only work with, or they will allow you to purchase from an outside vendor but charge you a higher fee for installation.
Shopping around and buying online may yield savings, but you'll need to include shipping in those calculations, as well as have a place to store the marker, which some cemeteries will do for a fee. You also need to consider engraving, which may need to be updated after a loved one has died to enter their death date, and this will cost an extra fee.
Deciding on the materials, design, and size of a headstone is a personal choice based both on your individual beliefs and budget. It pays to shop ahead of an anticipated funeral to look at the wide range of pricing for different materials, colors, finishes, and engraving designs. You will still have a single point of contact from quote to delivery, although there may be a bit more processing and paperwork due to the pass-through cost. This is a good option when your cemetery property is small, private or does not provide a full-service offering for grave markers.
When you buy a grave marker directly from a monument company, you can shop for the best value or find choices that a funeral home or cemetery may not offer.
This approach puts you in control of every detail. However, you will also be responsible for all of the coordination, from getting a quote, ordering, design, proofing, delivery and installation. Buyers are responsible for knowing the grave marker rules of the cemetery and purchasing the material and size of marker accepted at their preferred location, among other details. If you decide to buy a grave marker at a stand-alone retailer, we recommend you ask the following questions:.
If the situation cannot be corrected, the family will receive a refund for the unsatisfactory portion of the service. The two most popular types of grave markers are flat markers and upright monuments, though many people choose statues, benches or other types of specialty markers.
Any of those choices can pay tribute to one person, two people companion markers or a whole family. An individual or couple often chooses a flat marker because it fits in with the parklike aesthetic of their chosen cemetery.
These elegant, minimalist memorials are not only beautiful, they tend to be less expensive than upright monuments. For a number of reasons, including ease of maintenance and property views, some cemeteries allow only flush markers and have restrictions on size, so your choice could be restricted to certain parameters. A cemetery might be called a memorial park when no upright markers are present.
Flush to the ground, with a flat top or beveled edges, flat grave markers are made of solid stone or stone topped with a bronze plaque. They come in a variety of colors and can be customized with words, photos, illustrations and more.
Flat markers are placed at the head of a burial space or cover the entire burial plot, and come in single or companion styles. When you order a flat marker you may have the option of adding a vase, which some memorial parks require if you want to leave flowers at the gravesite. When not filled with flowers, or during snowy winter months, the vase is often stored upside down in the marker.
An erect stone slab with a stone base, an upright monument is much more prominent than a flat marker. They are what come to mind when you imagine a headstone or tombstone. Upright markers come in different sizes, colors and shapes, from simple rectangles or custom shapes like hearts, open books or crosses. Upright monuments provide a large canvas for personalization.
In addition to names and dates, they might include verses, etched photos or illustrations of things people loved. They are a good way to tell a story about a loved one—or to tell your own story if you are purchasing cemetery property in advance. When personalized with a loved one's likeness, symbols of faith, or images of sports gear, beloved pets or items that give a nod to signature hobbies, they can reveal a bit about personality and values.
They can be immediate reminders to everyone who sees them how much the people they pay tribute to were loved and cherished. Headstone engraving can vary in cost based on how detailed an inscription you request. You may instead choose to have an engraved plaque rather than etching on the stone directly. Headstones often incorporate engraved bronze plaques, which are durable and cost-effective. A bronze plaque can also add detail to an otherwise simple flat headstone.
Very simple plates may cost less, while more substantial or intricate plaques can cost more. Installing a headstone is a crucial part of the process, so most cemeteries offer headstone installation services, at a cost. If your cemetery doesn't offer the service, consider hiring a professional monument installation team.
Installing a headstone yourself isn't generally recommended although you may be permitted to do so, depending on the location. Finished headstones are heavy, and you've made a significant investment up to this point. You want to make sure that the stone sits correctly and stays in place for the long term. The process of installing a headstone involves precisely measuring the stone, digging a properly-sized hole where the headstone will sit, and often, placing a concrete base.
Only medium- and large-sized headstones require concrete foundations. If you have a small flat headstone, this step isn't necessary. The price will depend on the amount of work required and the size of the monument. If the stone requires a concrete foundation, that will cost extra.
The cost of a headstone doesn't end once it's safely in the ground. Although headstones are made of sturdy materials they still need regular maintenance. Of course, you can perform maintenance on your loved one's headstone yourself—check out our guide on how to clean a headstone. But professional headstone cleaners often have techniques that make the process easier and increase the longevity of the stone.
Additionally, you may not always want to take on the responsibility of hands-on grave maintenance. You can even add services like flower planting and grass watering. In addition to regular maintenance, headstones need occasional restoration and repair.
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