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Life is filled with the good times as well as the not so good. So, when the life of a loved one comes to a close it leaves us to reflect on the memories that have been made throughout or life. Choosing a memorial is one of the times in which we have the opportunity to reflect meaningfully on the impact that a person has had on our life, on the lives of others, and to the community as a whole. Finding a way to communicate these memories to both those close to the individual and those who have never known them is the unique challenge of a memorial.

As the old saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. This saying is surely true in many aspects of our lives and one of these times is when it comes to selecting a memorial. Memorials come in many sizes, shapes and colors and while some of these specifics may not be able to be determined just by a picture a picture can certainly help to secure in ones mind the basic elements that appeal to one’s heart.

Some things needful to consider when choosing a memorial are:

• What are the cemetery requirements regarding memorialization on my plot?
• How may plots do I own and how many names will be represented on the memorial?
• Will the memorial be placed on one grave or more than one?
• Will the memorial be designed to allow for cremains to be placed in the memorial as opposed to being buried?

These and many other questions are all things our staff at Landmark Monuments can help you find answers to. However, since many of the basic design concepts can be mirrored from one type of memorial to another it is very helpful to browse the gallery pictures to see what ideas attractively reflect the memory you wish to preserve.

Some have invested their lives in their faith and communicated this throughout their lives to those around them. In these instances, choosing a memorial reflecting this expression is an appropriate reflection of their life. These tributes may include a simple cross, a bible, a country church, a favorite passage or a patron saint. Then for some family ties have been the most valued memories that one has. This may be expressed with a scene from the family farm, a summer cabin, a wedding date, holiday festivities, a walk down a country road or a day at the sea shore. Many families wish to reflect their loved ones through a meaningful floral tribute.

Some of the common variations you will see on our memorials are plain designs vs complex designs. Some families desire a very simple look to a memorial and may only include basic information (names and dates) while others want to incorporate aspects from many different sides of life. Some add a short but meaningful epitaph while others include a longer poem or scripture verse. Some prefer the names be placed in rectangular panels while others prefer them in books, scrolls or ribbands. All of these variations are ways to personalize then memorial to create the most appropriate memorial for your loved one.

Other variations can be noted in the style of the memorial. Some memorials are flat with the ground. Some of these are flat granite and others are bronze plaques. Both create an attractive memorial with a distinctly different look. Some memorials while sitting above the surface of the ground are lettered on the top while they may be slightly tapered on the top are still read from the top. Other memorials are slanted and can be placed directly on the foundation or placed on a base stone to raise them up above the foundation. These stones are read from the face like an upright tablet and are visible at a greater distance than a flat stone or a beveled stone lettered on the top. Upright stones are most often placed on a base stone which brings added stability. Then there are stones which look more natural and are simply quality rocks either boulder like or quarried which can make a unique natural memorial without the finished appearance which most stones reflect.

Some memorials reflect the unique art forms sculpture work or a stone shape carefully shaped to accent the design of the memorial. While the lettering on most memorials have lettering recessed into the stone some have lettering which is raised from the surface. These raised letters can be either flat a polished or rounded on the top. Either can give an added look of distinction to a memorial to set it apart from the many memorials around it.

Another characteristic of memorials is the area that is polished. While most memorials are finished with a combination of polished, smooth but unpolished, and rock surfaces, some memorials are all rock (rough), all smooth and unpolished, and some are all polished. Likewise, the bases have various finishes and can magnify the appearance of the memorial as a whole.

Color of stones also add a lot to the whole of the memorial. Many of the memorials have been traditionally made of gray granite. Yet other colors of granite are available. Today we make many stones from granites that reflect colors of pink in different shades, mahogany, black, red, etc.

While all of these options may seem confusing often clarity can be gained by scrolling through pictures and then following one’s heart as to what stands out. Once an idea has been formed, our staff can guide you through finalizing the details to make the memorial an appropriate reflection of the life whose memory you are preserving.

Selecting a memorial can be a difficult task but it is also a reward of knowing you have honored the one you loved can bring amazing rest.

We look forward to walking with you through this process and serving your family’s memorialization needs. You can contact any member of our team to help bring your ideas and memories into a realization.