Step 1: Style
Generally speaking, the basic styles of monuments consist of the following: Flush, Bevel, Slant, and Upright Monuments. There are alternative styles also. These include: Bench, Boulder and Cremation Memorials. Photos and descriptions of each style can be found below.
Flat Grave Markers
Benefits:
Concerns:
- Lawnmowers may run over flowers, vases, or personal items left at the grave
- Markers overgrow with grass just like a driveway or sidewalk
- You need to be standing over it to read it, making it difficult to find a grave
Bevel Grave Marker
Benefits:
- Above ground and easier to see than flush markers
- Slight slope to top makes it easier to read and will stay clean longer than a flat marker
- If 8” or taller they can be cored to receive cremated remains
Concerns:
- You still need to be within 5 to 10 feet to read the marker making it hard to find.
Slant on Base
Shown with Base, this is an optional feature
Benefits:
- Larger design area allows for more information and bigger letters
- Can be read from a greater distance. Stays much cleaner than flush or bevel markers
- A Veteran’s bronze service plaque can be attached to the back
- By adding a base (as shown on left) you get extra height for visibility and lawnmower protection
- A base at least 8″ in height can be cored to receive cremated remains
Concerns:
- While the family name, children’s names, or other information can be placed on the back it may limit the ability of mounting the Veteran’s bronze plaque
- Without a base a lawnmower can chip the lower face if sexton is not careful
Upright Monument
Benefits:
- Easiest to find in the cemetery
- Largest design area available
- Can easily be shaped in a wide variety of custom shapes, like a heart, tear drop, car, horse, etc.
- Stays clean longer than other styles
- Base of monument protects from mower damage
- Can be cored to receive cremated remains
- Can be read from a distance
- Offers lots of room on back for design, lettering and mounting a Veteran’s bronze plaque if family desires
Concerns:
- None
Bench Memorials
Benefits:
- Provide a place for people to sit and find solace while visiting cemetery
- Unique style and shape makes memorial easier to find among traditional memorials
- Some styles of benches can be cored to receive cremated remains like the one pictured above
Concerns:
- Depending on type and size of bench it may not be as easy to read the lettering
- A bench may limit the size of design and amount of information that can be placed on it
Cremation Memorials
Benefits:
- Permanently houses cremains in a sealed, dry, above ground natural unit
- Allows grave space to be used for standard interment
- Provides a permanent, historical, remembrance spot
Concerns:
- Cemetery regulations may dictate use and determine how many cremains may be placed in memorial
Now before you land on a particular style of memorial, keep in mind that certain cemeteries do have regulations and criteria in place that strictly specify the monument styles allowed on their property. (If you’re unsure, just give us a call.)
Note that adaptions can be made to any monument styles for greater personalization.