Earlier this year, a close friend of mine passed away. This sweet woman was incredibly unique. Besides adoring vintage clothing, she always had extremely short hair. After her death, her son wanted to plan a funeral service with her unique style in mind. So, he immediately started working with the helpful staff at a respected funeral home in our hometown. After relaying his desires to the professional employees at the funeral home, my friend’s son decided to omit a viewing on the night before the funeral. Instead, he had the funeral home staff bring his mother’s body to the church two hours before the funeral service. He also gave anyone who wanted to speak at the funeral service an opportunity. On this blog, I hope you will discover the wonderful ways the staff at a funeral home can help you plan a unique funeral for a loved one.
Choosing a cemetery monument for your loved one's burial plot can be a difficult time. Not only are you grieving your loss, but you might be wondering what sort of headstone you can afford—if your loved one didn't make the necessary financial arrangements themselves. You want a headstone that has a classical appearance, but you must stay within your predetermined budget. What's the best way to get a time-honored style of monument without exhausting your savings?
Types of Materials
Cemetery monuments can be made from a number of different types of materials. Granite is a popular choice due to its traditional look—as well as its price. You'll also see monuments available in marble, limestone, quartz, and even bronze. These are usually far more expensive than granite. But there are different types of granite, which affects the price.
Shades of Granite
You may be familiar with gray granite, which is the stone's typical shade. There are rare types of granite available in light hues of orange, red, or blue. The keyword is light, since the actual stone will not be a bold primary color. These rarer shades cost more than standard gray granite.
Grade and Finish
In addition to the color of the stone, its grade and finish will also affect the price. The grade of the stone is related to its actual composition (its density). Higher grades offer more resistance against weathering since it's more difficult for moisture to permeate the stone. This can be counterbalanced with the stone's finish. For example, a polished granite monument will be sealed off from the elements. This polished look can be the most expensive type of finish. Having the granite steeled (sand blasted) will create a smooth finish that's not particularly shiny—making it comparable to a polished finish while being less expensive.
Style of Monument
The style of monument (and the amount of raw material it needs) will obviously influence the price. A flat stone marker requires the least amount of granite. A slanted memorial looks more traditional—and this is simply an upright headstone with a slanted face where your loved one's details will be engraved. Slanted memorials generally cost less than an entirely upright headstone (which are larger). You usually pay by the letter for engraving, so if the cost is a concern, stick to the basics, and don't include additions such as an epitaph or a laser-engraved photo of your loved one.
You can certainly arrange a traditional cemetery monument for your loved one without spending more than you can afford—and it's just a matter of paying attention to the details involved in choosing the headstone.
Share8 July 2022
