Frequently Asked Questions About Headstones And Grave Markers

September 10, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions About Headstones And Grave Markers

When a family experiences the loss of a dear member, along with grieving, they have to make plenty of decisions during the funeral planning stage. With all the emotions flooding in and the sentiments, deciding what kind of a departure you want to provide for your loved one can be overwhelming.

It is only natural that you have so many questions about different parts of the process. We understand that at this point, talking to vendors and concerned parties can be frustrating and emotionally draining.

Hence, we have compiled this list of frequently asked questions about headstones and grave markers to help guide you along the process.

How Big Does The Monument Have To Be?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question since there are no conventions that define the size of a monument. Larger monuments usually come at a greater premium. It also depends on whether the monument is for an individual or for two people. Moreover, the amount of information and design you want on the monument will play an important role. Also, consider cemetery rules when deciding on the size of your monument as some cemeteries limit the size of the monuments placed within different sections of the cemetery.

Does Color Make Any Difference?

Yes, the color of the monument plays an important role. It can affect the way the engraving is done, for example, lighter colors need to have a flash panel for lettering and a double outline for design. Color can also affect the price of the monument as some colors require more processing and expensive materials.

What Affects The Price Of A Monument?

This is one of the most asked questions, especially by people who don’t have a lot of experience with funerals. The factors that affect the price of a monument include:

  • Size – a larger and thicker monument will cost more
  • Color – some colors cost more than others
  • Polishing – some monuments only have one side polished, like a flat marker, but others have up to five sides polished. The more you polish a monument, the more it will cost.
  • Shape – a monument with complicated shapes will cost more
  • Accessories – adding accessories like vases, pictures, or matching bases adds to the cost.

What Is Included In The Price Of A Monument?

This varies from company to company, but at Summit Memorials all lettering and standard design on the front face of the stone are included in the price of the monument. We allow families to put as much lettering and designs on the front of the monument as they like. However, note that the more letters and designs you add the smaller the lettering will be. We also include our written Memorial Guarantee with every monument. The Guarantee states that “the memorial will never crack or chip from exposure to weather elements and the lettering and design will remain legible forever”

Can We Put Anything On The Back Of The Monument?

Yes, you can design the back of the monument just like the front if you wish. Many families include their family name on the back with a picture of the family farm or anything that is personal to the family. Some people also add the names of children or spouses. Note that there is an extra charge to add lettering and designing to the back of a monument. It is not included in the pricing of the monument.

Can We Put Custom Images On The Monument?

Yes, there are a few ways to do this – you can have an image scanned in high resolution and have the image diamond etched/lasered onto an upright monument. We don’t encourage you to do this on a flat or pillow monument. Another option is that you can use a duraphoto which is a porcelain photo that is recessed into the monument. This can be done in color or black and white. We also have design artists who can redraw the image and include it as a shadow toned design on the monument.

About Us

At Summit Memorials, we provide our customers with premium quality and well-crafted monuments, headstones, tombstones, and grave markers. For more information about our services, visit our website or contact us here today.

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