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If you are choosing a headstone or memorial monument for you or your loved one, you will find all you need to know in the helpful articles below.
Recent Monuments Articles

Preserving a Memory with PCS Laser and Memorial

March 27th, 2013

PCS Laser and Memorial helps you through this very difficult time with ease and compassion. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is a very difficult process and their goal is to make this transition a time of remembrance. By working with you to create the monument you and your family deserves is what they strive for to create a long-lasting memory.

Istone MemorialIn their 25 years of business, many of their services have grown and changed, including their laser etching. Both remarkably detailed and long-lasting, laser etching on granite is an ideal way to preserve the memory of a loved one. Along with their laser etched monuments, you can even bring in personal photos of your loved one to create a custom image. Both are such wonderful ways to commemorate your beloved.

Another way their services have grown is with the addition of their isotone memorials. This new innovation memorial links cemetery memorials to a website that can be shared with loved ones around the world. QR codes on memorials act as a link from a smart phone to an online memorial. This is a great way to personalize a headstone eternally leaving a legacy behind.

Let a Memory Live On

First off, what is a QR code? Similar to a barcode, yet it contains so much more information. A QR code can be added to any memorial allowing smartphone enabled phones to scan it and then be taken to your loved one’s history, such as an obituary, photos, comments left by family and friends and even a video. Once someone scans the QR code, they will be connected to a personalized website which will then share your family’s history for years to come. Their legacy will live on and it becomes more than just a headstone. Visitors will truly get a feel of who they were as a person. Keep your family’s history alive with an “istone”.

PCS Laser and Memorial  offers beautiful headstones and even some that make for a  truly interactive experience. Giving anyone who visits more of a connection to your loved one as well as helping preserve your family’s history for generations to come.

What is a Columbarium?

January 15th, 2013

A columbarium is a specially designed room or building with niches for cinerary urns (cremation urns) to be stored, much like a mausoleum. There is a trend in the monument industry toward using the word mausoleum for both bodies and ashes (cremains), instead of the older term ‘columbarium’.

Types of columberia

Columbaria Example from WikipediaModern columbarium designs are simple and tasteful. Some columbaria disappear into their surroundings, such as a garden wall, while in others have highly customizable niches. They are typically constructed similar to mausoleums and out of the same materials. You will find both indoor and outdoor columbaria at both churches and cemeteries. Indoor columbaria may offer climate controlled niches.

Columbarium niches vary in size, and some allow for two urns to be placed together. Sections of columbaria may be designated for entire families. Depending on the cremains vessel selected, there may be limited space for small memorabilia.

Where are columbaria located?

Columbaria are usually located in a cemetery, but can also be built into churches or are located on church grounds.  A columbarium can take various forms, but in a church building they are usually located in an interior wall. They can also be constructed in the churchyard, garden or a cemetery in various shapes and sizes. In some cases, one area or wing inside of a mausoleum is designated for cremains. Some are permanently sealed niches, where as others the face front panel is unlocked. The name of the deceased is usually inscribed into this panel.

Continue reading “What is a Columbarium?” »

Why Personalize a Monument?

September 4th, 2012

For many, creating a lasting monument for their loved one is the best way to keep those memories alive. But, how can you best display your loved one’s personality on these lasting memorials. Fortunately there are a variety of ways in which a memorial can be personalized. Recently, FSN Funeral Homes had the chance to discuss personalized memorials options with Chris Freybler from Custom Engraving.

Personalized Grave MarkerFSN Funeral Homes: What does your company do to personalize memorials?

Chris Freybler: Our company FromPhotosToForever.com takes snapshots or professional photos and digitizes them to be engraved into marble or granite.

FSN Funeral Homes: What type of memorials can be personalized?

Chris Freybler: We personalize memorials that can be utilized in a cemetery, as well as memorials that can be used in somebody’s home, flower garden, dedication to a flagpole or even a memorial tree. The headstone pieces are lifestory memorials. Our customers can take take a whole series of pictures throughout their loved ones entire life and create a beautiful collage.

FSN Funeral Homes: How involved are you with your customers when personalizing a monument?

Chris Freybler: We like to talk with them first to get a sense of their loved one and ask them to send photos they would like to be placed on the monument. From there, we discuss what photo is their favorite, which one they would like to use as a focal point and just get an understanding on what their loved one was like. Next, they’ll receive a layout based on what we discussed and they can approve or change the layout if they would like until they are 100% satisfied with the end result. Once we get that approval, we use state of the art lasers to engrave the granite. We work with our customers every step of the way to ensure that their loved one’s personality is captured.

FSN Funeral Homes: Why personalize a monument?

Chris Freybler: Again, they are lifestory memorials. They can actually talk about the person through picture form instead of words, so everyone who sees it can get a sense of the person. Having photos tells more about the person: who they were, what they like to do and what they look like. It’s more personable. It makes a trip to the cemetery more significant. Instead of just staring at a cold stone, it makes it more meaningful for the family and anyone else who visits when they have a picture in front of them. Not only is it important to the family then, but down the road as well, like when they may take grandkids or great grandkids that may not know who the person was, there’s a showcase of pictures for them to get a feel of who their grandparents were as a person. A lot of our customers tell me, “Now when we go the cemetery, we’re looking for a person, not just a name and date. We’re actually looking for grandma or dad.“ You’re actually going to look for your loved one.

Personalizing a monument is truly special for both the family and their loved one. It best displays your loved one’s personality and tells who they were as a person. For more understanding on how FromPhotosToForever.Com does this, see their video below.

Perserving & Caring For Your Loved One’s Headstone or Monument

October 20th, 2011

Although most burial monuments and headstones are made out of durable stone or metal, they still need proper care to keep them looking their best for many years to come. Hard water, dust, mold, fungus and lichens are common causes of headstone grime, but with regular care, they can be easily removed. It is recommended to clean your monument only once every 10 years.

Preparing To Clean Your Stone Headstone or Monument

  • First of all, you must acquire permission from the lot owner or next-of-kin, if that is not you. Talk to the cemetery caretakers to find out about routine cleanings they might already do.
  • Inspect the monument for any flaws, such as cracks, flaking or any sign of deterioration. This may be more present in concrete or limestone monuments. DO NOT clean a wooden headstone.

Traditional HeadstoneCleaning Supplies 

  • Ample supply of natural or distilled water.
  • Soft, white-bristle brush.
  • Toothbrush.
  • DO NOT use natural bristles when cleaning your monument, this can encourage organic growth.
  • DO NOT use wire bristles or any other metal instrument to clean your monument.
  • If your headstone is very dirty, use ONLY non-ionic cleaners.
  • DO NOT use household cleaners, including bar soap, borax, vinegar or bleach.
  • DO NOT use pressure washers.
  • DO NOT use sealants of any kind.
  • DO NOT use shaving cream. (Once a popular cleaner, now shown to be harmful to the materials used.)

Continue reading “Perserving & Caring For Your Loved One’s Headstone or Monument” »

Placing Pebbles on Gravestones: A Jewish Tradition Explained

August 5th, 2011

Example of Jewish Headstones with PebblesIt is unlikely that you will see flower arrangements laid upon headstones in traditional Jewish cemeteries. Instead, you might notice heaps or mounds of pebbles atop of the grave sites. Large and small in no particular pattern or shape. This is an age-old Jewish tradition that roots from Biblical stories. It’s hard to tell exactly where the tradition originated, however, it is thought to go back to ancient times.

Evidence in Scripture

  • In the book of Exodus Moses spent 40 years traveling from Egypt to Israel. Instead of burying their dead, they would cover the body with a sheet and then cover with rocks and pebbles to hold the sheet down.
  • In the book of Exodus God manifested the 10 Commandments on a stone tablet in the presence of Moses.
  • In the book of Exodus Moses is told by God to strike the rock at Horeb to bring forth water from the rock; this was done in front of the elders of Israel in God’s name.
  • In the book of Genesis Abraham was told to build an altar (a mound of rocks) to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a test from God.

Adorning gravestones with pebbles

In Judaism it is customary for Stones of Remembrance to be placed on gravestones by family and friends visiting the departed.

Continue reading “Placing Pebbles on Gravestones: A Jewish Tradition Explained” »

Choosing and Personalizing a Grave Monument

July 12th, 2011
Little Girl Statue Grave Marker - Gracie

Gracie Statue Monument

Choosing and designing a monument for your loved one is a very important step in the grieving process, and your last expression of love during this sorrowful period.

 

The headstone or monument is a tribute to their life. It’s a visual remembrance. It tells the story of their life, ensuring that for years to come, they will be remembered.

What Is the Purpose Of Cemetery Monuments & Headstones?

Cemetery headstones and monuments are more than just a way to mark the grave site. Throughout history, cemetery monuments have told the story of a person’s life.

Included on the monuments could be a statement of character, their interests, place of birth and place of death of the deceased. How many children the person had, how they died, a Bible verses, a poem or even special quotes are also displayed on burial markers.

The essence of the deceased is forever captured by placing these insights on their grave monument. Families displayed this information on cemetery monuments as a lasting tribute to their loved ones.

Words are not the only way to personalize a monument for a lasting memorial. Statues, mausoleums, grave benches and plaques can create a sense of how esteemed the deceased was to their community, family or nation.

In the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah GA, two families memorialized the life of their daughters with statue monuments. The headstones for Little Gracie and Corinne are life-like statues, created to replicate their image as it was in life.

Continue reading “Choosing and Personalizing a Grave Monument” »

Planning a Green Burial

June 30th, 2011

What is a Green Burial?

Planning A Green BurialA green, natural or eco-burial is a burial that allows the body and the burial grounds to stay as natural as possible. No embalming, concrete vaults, or toxins are used. Bio-degradable caskets, shrouds or blankets are used instead of traditional caskets, urns or vaults.

What is the Importance of a Green Burial?

Green Burials cause minimal environmental impact. In nature everything is recycled, there is no waste. Green burials are both an earth friendly, and less expensive option.

Is Cremation Considered Green?

A green burial is often an alternative to cremation. Cremation, however is more environmentally friendly than traditional burials. Using a bio-degradable urn is a good option if you’re considering a green cremation.

Modern crematoriums have made significant reductions in emissions through out the years, making cremation a safe choice.

What are the Costs of a Green Funeral?

The average price for a green burial ranges from $1,000 – $4,000, which usually includes the burial plot, opening and closing of the grave, grave marker and maintenance fee.

Continue reading “Planning a Green Burial” »

Eight Cemetery Monument Materials

November 4th, 2010

Cemetery monuments have been used for thousands of years.  Typically people would use whatever natural material happened to be available locally.  Often this was whatever local rock was available or wood which was not very durable since it would rot very quickly.  People today have more options than ever.

It is no longer necessary to pick the cemetery monument material based solely on proximity to your town.  Today, people can pick the best and most durable material available.  For many the choice is bronze and granite.

Throughout  the years, several different types of materials have been used to create monuments. Despite their obvious deficiencies, some of these materials are still used today.  Sandstone, limestone, granite, marble, and others have been used for generations. Several of these gravestone materials lack durability or accessibility.

This article will highlight the various types of materials used in cemetery memorials and will explain the advantages of each material.

Granite

Granite is by far the most popular headstone material type today.  Granite comes in a multitude of colors including grays and pinks. It also has a wide variety of textures.  Granite is one of the strongest natural materials with a durability that lasts for generations. In fact granite is so hard that it is difficult to carve by hand.  Granite is very popular today because of its sturdiness.

Marble

Marble is another type of monument material that is still popular today.  There are several types of marble.  Marble comes in a wide range of qualities which means that some materials are quite permanent while others are not.  White marble, for example, is  a beautiful material but may eventually develop a black film over its surface.

Cast and Wrought Iron

Cast iron grave markers were popular during the Victorian era and have survived for generations.  Their not so lucky counterparts, wrought iron grave markers still stand but many have succumbed to rust or live in an eroded state.
Continue reading “Eight Cemetery Monument Materials” »

Cemetery Monument and Headstone Options

September 28th, 2010

Planning a funeral seems like a difficult task.  With all different types, shapes, sizes, flower placement styles and cremation burial options available it can seem impossible to select a memorial that is meant to enshrine your loved one’s memory for eternity.  In the next several sections, different types and styles of cemetery monuments have been described that should make selection during a difficult time easier.

Companion Monuments

Companion headstones usually sit on a family plot and are meant to memorialize more than one person.  While these monuments are typically meant for two people, they can be enlarged to allow for the names of more family members.

Companion headstone with vase and traditional companion headstoneCompanion monuments can come in an upright or flat style.  We will mention all the flat, slanted and bevel styles further down in this article.  When thinking of purchasing this monument, consider whether or not you would like to be able to place flowers on the headstone.

There are many flower options that exist for companion monuments.  One such option is an interconnecting vase between the two sides of the companion headstone.  Another option is to have one large double monument with flower vases on either side.  There can also be an inlaid space at the top of the monument that allows for flowers to be easily placed on top.

A final option could be a monument with no designated space for flowers and one could purchase a wire flower saddle.  The wire flower saddle straddles the cemetery monument at the top and allows for easy flower placement on an upright headstone.

Individual Monuments

Individual MonumentsIndividual monuments are meant to be memorials for one person.  As with companion headstones, individual markers come in flat or upright styles and have flower placement options.

There can be two separate vases along either side of the  individual marker, an indented space can be made available at the top of the headstone, or a wire flower saddle can be placed upon the individual gravestone.

Individual headstones have space on them for a design, the name and dates of your loved one.

 

Bevel, Slant, and Flat Monuments

Bevel and slant headstonesBevel and slant cemetery monuments are meant to sit at the head or foot of a grave.  A bevel monument is flat and a slanted monument sits upright at a slight angle.  The design of the bevel or slant monument is to allow one to read the marker when approaching the grave memorial.

These headstones can be small enough for just one name or large enough to be a companion monument.  What makes the slant and bevel headstone different from a traditional flat marker is that a base is located beneath the monument.

Flat headstoneThis allows the marker to be lifted, making it more visible and also keeping lawnmowers back. Flower vases can also be placed at one side of these markers to allow for convenient flower placement.

This type of monument is large enough to put an engraving of a small design, as well as the  full name and dates of your loved one.

Flat markers, like slanted and bevel cemetery monuments can be small enough for just one name or enlarged to be a companion style.

They are similar to slant and bevel styles except that there is no base located beneath the monument. They are at ground level allowing lawnmowers to mow over them.

Continue reading “Cemetery Monument and Headstone Options” »