Funeral Homes: A End and a Beginning

Choosing A Cemetery Headstone Directly From A Supplier

Families usually turn to funeral directors to help them make arrangements when a relative passes away. Choosing a cemetery headstone, however, often is done on their own through a supplier of these monuments. 

Why They Wait

Especially when the death was unexpected, the immediate family might feel too overwhelmed to make quick decisions about headstone color, size, and engraving. They already must deal with everything required to hold a funeral or memorial service. There is no need to rush in having a headstone created and installed. The family also saves some money by going directly to a supplier.

Features

The vast majority of gravestones are made of granite. That stone is recognized for its durability and longevity. It's also available in a wide variety of natural colors and patterns. If the deceased person was a military veteran, the family may request a metal marker from the Department of Veterans Affairs to be attached to the headstone.

By taking some extra time to consider what they want, the relatives also decide whether to add more than the usual features. Headstones nearly always display the person's name, birth year, and death year. The family might ask to have a favorite quote engraved on the monument or a brief expression of affection. An example is "loving husband and father." Engravings also can include designs such as flowers or religious imagery.

With advances in technology, the gravestone supplier can even include a photo of the person. There could be an image of a place the person loved, like a favorite lake with ducks flying in.

After the Purchase

When work on the stone is complete, the supplier contacts the customer to come and view it. The marker is not installed until the customer approves the finished product.

The monument supplier handles the placement. That organization agrees on a suitable time when at least one cemetery worker will be at the site. These individuals usually are part-time employees, so delivery of the marker must be done when a worker is available to install it. A local supplier may take responsibility for the delivery or may hire a freight service.

Concluding Thoughts

Graves almost always have headstones, even if the cemetery does not require this. The relatives want to honor their loved one and allow other people to locate the grave. When families need this kind of service, they may reach out to a monument supplier for assistance. 


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