Frequently Asked Questions.

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The quality of a monument is much like a diamond ring where "5Cs" determine quality.  

Color: Monument grade granite comes from many parts of the world both domestic and international, with certain colors costing more to quarry, hone, polish and transport. Color may bring back certain memories, life moments or characteristics

Cut: Relates first and foremost to the quality of the lettering and images sculpted. There are a wide variety of lettering styles and images that can personalize a memorial that will look as timeless and elegant for generations not yet here.  But Cut also relates to the shape of the stone itself, in keeping with a family tradition or perhaps reflective of personality.

Clarity; Refers to the clarify of the polished finish. Influenced by the grain if the stone itself and the quality of the polishing workmanship. Has a bearing on how the stone will appear year after year and probably the most overlooked factor, 

Carats (well Weight really): Actually has little bearing on the quality of the final memorial. Heavier pieces are more expensive yet contribute relatively little, so we recommend spending the budget personalizing the story you want the stone to tell. 

There are many great monument builders across the country. Some, like Stuart Brothers, have generations of experience. The right monument builder will be the business that best matches your priorities and your values. Some signpost to watch for....... 

1. Web presence - Is the business web presence is focused on themselves or  you and your loved ones.    
2. Personalization – remembrance or monuments?  Are constraints (monument type, budget, size, cemetery regulations) are discussed before how to remember a person?
3. Experience or Methodology?  is valuable, but vague. While business may project experience, a documented methodology will show when and where your questions and concerns will be addressed in a logical sequence.   
4.  Collaboration or Contracts?  Families are geographically dispersed. Find a business that promotes collaboration for the best outcome.  A business that provides a secure client portal for online collaboration with family, friends and other stakeholders.  Be a facilitator, not a moderator.    

 Is it really?  Let's take a closer look......    

With local delivery and cemetery installation included our 3” Pet Markers and 4" traditional cemetery markers are very competitively priced. for those limited imported color types.

Our 1” Granite Pet Markers cost even less.  

Cemeteries may charge a fee to accept internet orders to protect them from quality variations. Others simply will not accept internet deliveries.  Consider what happens if the stone arrives with defects – scratched, chipped, lettering flaws poorly polished. Who will build a foundation and set the stone? Do they really know how?  Who will repair a stone that is cracked, damaged or the foundation fails?

Reputable Monument Builders and Sculptors seldom erect work pieces on a foundation they did not build.  
    

We see 4 design trends:  

1.  A growing emphasis on personalization in the selection of colors, fonts and artwork.
2. Base & Headstone preferred over slant designs. Costs are similar. 
3. Multi piece designs for scalability and customization. Pieces can be added/modified when the time is right to create a custom family setting. In-cemetery lettering costs are escalating with liability insurance. 
4. Contrasting colors for base and die pieces create a striking custom look.
       

Top four: 

1. Do not overbuild, 6” and 4” thick monuments will last as long as 8” or 10”. 
2.  Invest in quality carving and lettering. Pay careful attention to the finish of the lettering and artwork.  
3. Ask about the foundation and setting. Be wary of answers like "'we have always done it this way.'.  Only to find out later that soil type, gradient, monument design or cemetery requirements need to be addressed.  Resetting a failed monument foundation is expensive due to the precision required to avoid damage and constraints of adjacent monuments. 
4. Stick to a design that preserves most of the polished surface.  Polishing stone provides weather protection and is labor intensive. Why pay again to have it removed?  Panels or bas relief designs are more susceptible to dirt and stains and require additional cleaning maintenance.          
       

Yes but.... only as a last resort. Most cemeteries do not permit this practice – for good reason.   A properly built foundation takes into account soil type, gradient and monument type. The cost of repairing or resetting a monument may exceed the cost of initial setting.. An incorrectly set monument can be unsafe and a liability hazard for cemetery workers or visitors. Even an incorrectly laid grass marker can be a trip hazard if it were not flush or crack from foundation defects. 

No ! At Stuart Brother we take pride in our long history setting monuments at inaccessible locations, including Historical markers and private family settings. We actually enjoy this challenge.     

Natural stone is still the most environmentally friendly material.  While cutting and polishing stone requires significant amounts of water (mostly recycled), other monument materials ( eg Bronze) require deep mining and significant fossil fuel to cast in a foundry.   When depleted, stone quarries frequently become recreational spaces (lakes, trails, rock climbing walls) - mines, not so much.