A monument helps us remember a life, not a death. It is more that a means of identifying the resting place of an individual or family. Proper memorialization is a permanent symbol of family ideals that honor those who have gone before us and inspire those who will follow. Whether a traditional burial, cremation burial, or cremation scattering has been chosen, a memorial is a loving remembrance that says, “We care.”

CHOOSING THE MATERIAL FOR THE MEMORIAL
The type of material may be determined by the cemetery regulations. Traditional materials are granite, marble, and bronze. Granite includes a wide spectrum of colors including blacks, grays, reds, browns, and shadings of each. Marble is usually white with gray veining, although there are some variations such as overall pink with gray veining or darker gray with lighter veining.

TYPE OF MEMORIAL
The choice of style and size may be determined by cemetery regulations. Once the regulations are known, the next step is to pick out a type of memorial. There are four main types of memorials:

• UPRIGHT- a vertical tablet on a horizontal base.
• SLANT - a one-piece monument that has a wedge-shape when viewed from the end
• BEVEL - a one-piece monument that generally is 6” high at the back
and slopes to 5” at the front
• GRASS -a flat marker that is installed flush with the ground

All the above types of monuments can be designed in single or companion sizes.

The monument is placed on a “foundation,” which is a concrete and/or stone stabilizing pad usually installed by the cemetery staff. Some cemeteries allow the family or the monument company to install the foundation.

TRADITIONAL DESIGNS
Once the type of monument is chosen, then the style of the design is discussed. In general terms, a monument refers to a vertical stone tablet that is placed on a piece of horizontal stone – somewhat like a cereal box placed on a tissue box. The customary tablet is a variation of a rectangle.

The top of the tablet usually has one of three configurations: serpentine, oval, or flat. There are many other shapes available, such as heart, diamond, and round. The more the shape varies from a rectangle, the more likelihood there will be additional pricing because of custom work.

CUSTOM DESIGNS
If the traditional styles are not what you have in mind, Erickson Monuments takes pride in our custom designs.

SURFACE TREATMENTS
The usual finish for the front and back sides of a tablet is polished; this surface treatment is included in the price of the tablet. It may be that the front and back of the tablet are made with a steeled surface, a velvet finish that is smooth but not reflective. This does not affect the price of the tablet.

The customary finish for the top and ends of a tablet is rock-pitched, a cleanly-broken natural surface. There is an additional charge for steeling the top and end surfaces, based on the length and height of the tablet. The top and/or ends can also be polished; there is an additional charge for this as well.

ARTWORK AND TRIBUTE
After the material and general design have been chosen, you are encouraged to consider the art and tribute wording that will be used. Erickson Monuments has an extensive selection of artwork that will help commemorate your loved one. Also available are suggestions for the tribute wording. You are welcome to provide suggestions and ideas.

The artwork and lettering can be put into a panel, a steeled area that provides maximum contrast, or inscribed as sunk in polish, a technique that uses no panel and the lettering and artwork are etched into the polished area. If flowers are chosen as part of the artwork, they can be flat carved to give them a two-dimensional appearance or we can shape carve them, giving the flowers a three-dimensional texture.