Not all monuments are created equal. And for that matter, not all monument dealers are created equal as well. This is why it is very important when pricing out monuments from multiple monument dealers that you compare Apples to Apples. This includes not only the size, color, shape, and polish of the stone,but as well covers the Quality in the material, the Quality in the sandblast process, and whether the artwork is Shape carved (a process that gives life and shape to the stone to make images three dimensional) or flat carved. Minor changes in these areas will mean a difference in the price.

It is important to know what the goal is when purchasing a monument. Is it just to make sure that Mom or Dad has something to mark their resting place, or is it to make sure that there is a Memorial that represents their lives and passions? Will a simple flat carved monument with standard file art work be okay? Or is the memory of that loved one best represented in a monument that is tailor made to fit them and their personality?

Most times these differences are not that much more expensive and may not be expressed in the quote that you receive from the memorial artist. However,these differences can mean the difference between having a regular headstone and having a lasting Beautiful Memorial that many generations can return to and remember that loved or teach future generations about that loved one.

It is also important to make sure you see the monuments that the company has put out in the past, as we are artist and you may find that you prefer one’s style over the others.

At Watson Signs & Monuments we not only provide lasting beauty in our memorials, we also make sure that our prices are affordable. Our charges for our engraving will include shape carving or flat carving. We will work with our families to make sure their needs are met.

In our lifetimes we make many purchases, but none are as lasting as a memorial. We will walk with you through this purchase to make sure you get exactly what you want and that it is done right.

Monument & Marker Styles

There are many different styles of granite memorials. You need to know the correct terminology, so that you can accurately describe them when discussing options with the cemetery or ordering. The following will teach you the definitions of the terms we use.

Upright Monuments

• Designed to stand straight up perpendicular to level ground.
• The engraved marker portion is known as a "die." Most are usually 6" or 8" thick, but can be produced up to 1’ thick and sometimes more depending on the stone and the quarry it comes from.
• The horizontal portion is known as the base and is usually required. When there is no base to the monument, it is known as a monolith.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.
• Scenic designs and the family name are popular additions on the back.

Slant Monuments

• Upright slant shape. The width is measured at the base.
• The top is usually 2 inches thick.
• The top can be flat, oval, or serpentine shaped.
• A standard 2 inch to 4 inch nosing is recommended. This protects the polished etched surface.
• A base is optional and usually not required.
• May be used for individual or companion.

Flat Markers

• Designed to lie flat at lawn level.
• All are a minimum of 4 inches thick.
• May be used for individual or ordered double width for a companion.
• Perfect application for adding bronze, some cemetery restrictions may require
bronze on granite.

Bevel Markers

• Often called a Pillow Marker or Hickey.
• Slight bevel slant from back to front of marker.
• The back is 2" thicker than the front to provide this bevel effect
• May be used for individual or companion.
• Usually 6" or 8" thick, however, thicker markers are available.

Ledgers

• Designed to lie flat at lawn level.
• All are a minimum of 4 inches thick.
• Covers the entire length of the interred.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.

Ledgers with Slant or Bevel Markers

• Combines a ledger with a slant or bevel
• Covers the entire length of the buried.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.

Cremation Memorials

• Similar characteristics of the Upright Monument
• Usually have one or more containers for the placement of cremated remains (cremains). Cremation urns are not used.
• Most cremation memorials and benches have cored spaces in the granite where the cremains are placed.
• Much easier to maintain as the marker does not need to be moved for ground burials.

Benches

• Very popular for both a memorial and as a cremation memorial.
• Base is usually not required, but can be beneficial to keep the bench level in the cemetery.
• Some style benches can hold the cremains of up to 6 loved ones.
• Enhances the beauty of burial garden, prayer garden, or any large memorial.

Rock Monument

• Similar characteristics of the Upright Monument
• Area available for expression, decoration, and engraving is variable with the size of the stone and the polished face.
• Bronze markers may be mounted
• May also be used as a cremation memorial.

Finishes

There are many different finishes available on our granite monuments and markers. Most flat markers, bevel markers, and slant monuments have a polished face. Upright monuments are usually polished on the front and back. Typically bases are polished on the top. You may choose to have more sides or the entire marker polished at an additional charge. Visible surfaces that are not polished are rock pitched. The bottom of every marker is usually sawed since they are not visible.

• Polished - Smooth surface, high gloss mirror like shine
• Sawed - Smooth surface, dull look of the natural stone
• Steeled - Smooth surface, appears lighter and frosted
• Thermal or Flamed – Rough surface, generally level, finished with an intense flame or sand blaster with special blast material
• Rock Pitched - Rough surface, finished with hammer and chisel

Types of Carving

• Flat Carving: Outline only, without shape.
• Shaped Carving: Textured and dimensional.
• Simple Carving: Simplistic flower or leaf design.
• Band Carving: Continuous carving around memorial.
• BAS Relief Carving: 3 Dimensional, Very complex and expensive.
• Complicated Carving: Complex designs and heavy carvings

Etching

• Etching designs must be on either black, deep red or dark mahogany granite material. Etchings are not suitable for gray or white granites. They are exceptionally beautiful on Black, Dakota Mahogany, and Canadian Mahogany.
• Use etching designs when your picture requires a lot of detail
• Etching designs are permanent, just not as deep as sandblasted carving
• Complexity of design and size of memorial determine etching cost. We are capable of etching any design into granite that you want to create. • Designs, pictures, scenes and portraits may be plain or colored etched
• Plain etching results from the natural color of the granite appearing through the granite polish.
• Color etchings are created from using different colors of special lithochrome paint in a plain etching.

Panel Types

The different kinds of panels that are used for lettering are called "Family Name Panels" and "Inscription Panels".

• Family name panels may be placed on the front and back side of an upright monument. This must be indicated when you order. We assume all engraving and etching are on the front of the marker unless otherwise specified.
• The finish for a panel may be frosted or polished.
• Frosted-finish panels will appear to be lighter than the granite color and not shiny.
• Polished-finish panels will have a high gloss, mirror like shine

Upright Monument Shapes

There are a wide variety of tops and ends available. However, if you want a memorial with tops and ends that are different or unusual, those designs will usually be more expensive.