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Buyer's Guide
When people interact with our industry, it’s often during a difficult time in their life. This makes it easy to get lost in all the details and facts that you need to know. That’s why we’ve taken the time to compile a buyer’s guide so that you can make these important decisions with confidence.
Important Facts About the Industry
Purchasing a grave marker or memorial is a big investment of both time and money. It must be undertaken with great care and thought. Whether you’re making pre-need or immediate arrangements, it’s crucial to know that you are not obligated to buy monuments or cemetery plots from either funeral homes or cemeteries. However, many establishments—especially corporately owned ones—frequently use intimidating and high-pressure tactics to make a sale. We encourage you to consider making the monument decision after all other matters are taken care of and you’ve had more time to process the circumstances.
Cemeteries
- At BB, we work hard to be a reliable information source regarding your local cemeteries’ regulations. Because all cemeteries have unique regulations about memorial sizes and types, we recommend consulting with us before you purchase any cemetery property. We can help you determine which type of memorials and markers are permitted in your preferred cemetery. Some cemeteries, known as memorial parks, only permit flat markers. Others allow both flat markers and traditional upright markers in a separate section while still enforcing a height, size, and location limit. Therefore, it’s important to know all the details regardless of what you’re envisioning. We also want to warn you about cemeteries that claim any of the following:
- That they are the only ones allowed to install the monument.
- That installation costs are part of the lot price.
- That you must purchase the monument from them because your family is buried there.
Put simply: it is illegal for cemeteries to do this. Be sure to ask questions before dealing with a cemetery, and make sure that you receive satisfactory answers before doing business with them.
Working With Us
When you choose BB, you can rest assured that we’ll stay by your side throughout the entire process, from the initial monument design until installation. We can even come to you for in-home services if you’re unable to travel to our office,
When you first reach out to us, we start by listening to all your wishes. We then provide suggestions and help you make decisions about the size and style of the monument, as well as the text, epitaphs, images, and meaningful symbols that you want. Next, we prepare drawings for your approval, allowing you to transform the image in your head into an accurate visual representation of the memorial. You can then make any necessary changes before the work is completed in stone.
When you first reach out to us, we start by listening to all your wishes. We then provide suggestions and help you make decisions about the size and style of the monument, as well as the text, epitaphs, images, and meaningful symbols that you want. Next, we prepare drawings for your approval, allowing you to transform the image in your head into an accurate visual representation of the memorial. You can then make any necessary changes before the work is completed in stone.
Purchasing a Monument Pre-Need
More and more people are choosing to purchase monuments and memorials pre-need. By planning ahead, you can guarantee the style, color, and size that you want. Additionally, it provides you with more time to personalize the marker and discuss it with your loved ones. Organizing a personalized design ahead of time allows you to reflect your values and beliefs forever. Pre-planning can also save you and your loved ones money. Buying a monument in advance means that your family won’t be burdened with extra financial commitments and difficult decisions.
Choosing a Monument
There is a wide range of memorial and monument types, including flat, beveled, and slanted grave markers, as well as crosses, statues, flower vases, and more. When deciding between your options, first learn about what your cemetery permits.
Next, you need to choose the material and color. Most monuments are made from granite due to its reasonable price, durability, and color variety. Granite is available in gray, black, red, pink, brown, green, and blue. Marble, on the other hand, is only available in white and gray. Bronze is also frequently used for flat markers and embellishments.
All materials come in varying levels of quality, with some not being suitable for use in cemetery memorials. For example, some marble and granite can’t accept certain styles of design work and lettering. But don’t worry; we can help you navigate the entire process and make the right decisions. We invite you to come check out your options in person, as pictures and brochures don’t accurately depict the textures and colors of these beautiful natural materials.
Next, you need to choose the material and color. Most monuments are made from granite due to its reasonable price, durability, and color variety. Granite is available in gray, black, red, pink, brown, green, and blue. Marble, on the other hand, is only available in white and gray. Bronze is also frequently used for flat markers and embellishments.
All materials come in varying levels of quality, with some not being suitable for use in cemetery memorials. For example, some marble and granite can’t accept certain styles of design work and lettering. But don’t worry; we can help you navigate the entire process and make the right decisions. We invite you to come check out your options in person, as pictures and brochures don’t accurately depict the textures and colors of these beautiful natural materials.
Monument Styles
Upright Monuments – Available in a wide range of shapes, styles, and sizes, allowing you to make a personal and creative statement.
Slant & Bevel Markers – Between the height of flat markers and upright monuments. Available in either single or double sizes that may be personalized with inscriptions and symbols.
Flat Markers – May be personalized; however, the design is restricted by the smaller surface area. They’re also difficult to locate in cemeteries, which makes them ideally suited for large family-style monuments with multiple interments.
Slant & Bevel Markers – Between the height of flat markers and upright monuments. Available in either single or double sizes that may be personalized with inscriptions and symbols.
Flat Markers – May be personalized; however, the design is restricted by the smaller surface area. They’re also difficult to locate in cemeteries, which makes them ideally suited for large family-style monuments with multiple interments.
Pricing
Markers and monuments are priced according to color, design, size, and installation cost, plus applicable cemetery charges. Prices range from less than $1,000 for flat markers to $10,000 for larger and more elaborate monuments. At the highest end of the spectrum, walk-in mausoleums can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Contact us today for more valuable information about purchasing grave markers, monuments, and memorials.
Contact us today for more valuable information about purchasing grave markers, monuments, and memorials.