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[Styles] [Tops] [Ends] [Finish] [Lettering] [Carving] [Etchings]

Memorials range in size from small single flush markers to large family mausoleums, the most popular being the traditional upright tablet (die) and base.

Cemeteries have guidelines and regulations concerning memorial shapes, sizes, colors and installation, and it is vital to be aware of these restrictions.

STYLES

Upright Monuments: available as either individual or companion memorials. Top portion is know as a "die", the bottom portion referred to as the "base".

Flat Marker or Flush Marker: designed to lie flat at lawn level. Usually 4" thick and may be used for an individual or as a double width for a companion.

Bevel Marker: also called a Hickey Marker has a slight bevel from back to front. May be used for individual or companion.

Slant Marker: Upright slant shaped marker – base optional. Tops can be Serpentine, Oval or Flat. May be used as an individual or companion marker.

Standard slant (left) has a front nosing (perpendicular facing at bottom).
Western slant has no front nosing (face goes straight to bottom).

Bench: Can be used as a cemetery memorial or in a non-traditional garden or another place special to a loved one. Can be easily engraved for either an individual or companion. Benches come in a variety of shapes and sizes. An Urn Bench has space in the supports to provide a place to intern ashes.

Cross: Many types of crosses are used as cemetery monuments. Crosses come in many forms - each having its own historic and symbolic meaning. The four crosses most commonly seen as cemetery monuments are:

Latin Cross - a standard flat cross most common in Roman Catholic cemeteries.		Calvary Cross - a Latin Cross with a three tiered base, symbolic of the Trinity or faith, hope and charity (love).

Celtic Cross - dates back to the 5th century Celtic cultures of England. Very elaborate in decoration with a circular design at the crossbar representing eternity.		Rustic Cross - very popular in the early 20th century. Has the rustic appearance of wood.

TOPS	ENDS

FINISH

Polish: a smooth surface which has a high gloss, mirror-like shine. Leaves the stone with a darker than natural color which provides excellent lettering and carving contrast. Letters do not show up well on a polished surface – they are placed inside a panel or area that has had the polish removed.

Steeled: smooth surface which does not have the high gloss shine. Stone appears lighter.

Rock Pitched: rough surface made with hammer and chisel creating sharp top and side edges.

LETTERING

Lettering techniques vary with different stone finishes and methods of carving.

V-Sunk: a hand tooled letter which is cut deeply creating a V-shaped cut. Can be cut into polish.	Frosted Outline: double outlined letters used on a polish surface.


Raised: Can be round, or square relief.

Polished Square Raised Letters	Round Raised Letters

Sandblast Sunk Letter: a sandblasted letter which is deeply cut creating either a U-shaped or V-shaped cut in a frosted area.

CARVING

Sandblast Carving: the surface of the die is covered with a rubber stencil of the design. Cut outs are removed exposing the stone which is then blown using sand and pressure to incise both letters and design.

Hand Carving is done by hand using pneumatic tools and chisels and requires years of experience as an artist or stone sculptor.

Flat Carving: design which is outlined only, without shape or dimension.	Shaped Carving: design which is sandblasted deeper, has dimension and texture.


Sculpture Carving: 3 dimensional figures (human, animal, botanical, aquatic) created by shaping stone using pneumatic hand tools.	Hand Carved: 3 dimensional design using pneumatic hand tools, 3 dimensional bas relief.

ETCHING

Hand Etching is a process using a vibrating etching tool to remove the polish leaving a fine line and very detailed drawing. True artisans will capture the twinkle in the eye and the soul of your loved one.

Laser Etching is accomplished using a computerized laser etching machine. Photos are scanned into the machine which then laser etches an exact duplicate into the polish.


	Black and red granites provide the best contrast for etchings.

STYLES

TOPS

ENDS

FINISH

LETTERING

CARVING

ETCHING