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Few people are aware that headstones and memorial plaques can be purchased from a variety of sources.
Funeral companies, cemetries and stone masons make good use of the advantage of their involvement in the funeral process to sell memorials to their clients.
However, they seldom make purchasers aware that these products are also available from monument retailers who offer a far wider range and, very often, a higher quality alternative.
These monument retailers have reputable online design services allowing customers access to the widest range of choices.
How Much Does a Headstone Cost ?
The final cost of a headstone will be dependent upon the size, material used, lettering, artwork, inlays, customisation and accessories included – such as flower pots or memorial lights.
Be aware of additional costs such as cemetry fees, delivery costs and installation. Delivery fees are often included in the price of memorials purchased from online retailers.
Technological advancement in the memorial industry has allowed for much greater customer choice.
Unique headstones can now be designed by the individual and manufactured to the highest standard.
Forever Shining has worked with customers to design unusual, original and contempory memorial designs.
Now you can also design online in a comfort of your own home using our exclusive design section of a website.
We offer the widest range of Funeral Monuments, Headstones and Plaques with Photo Quality Laser Etching into Premium Black Granite and Creative Colours with Traditional Engraved.
Headstone Purchasing Tips
- The first step is to check the cemetry regulations on the size and type of headstone they allow. Some cemetries restrict the materials permitted for example to granite or bronze.
- Find out if the cemetry has a preferred installer. A recommended installer should hold the correct insurances and the installation should comply with the cemetry’s regulations or Australian Standards, thus ensuring longevity of the installation.
- Monument retailers will check both the cemetry regulations and the recommended installer for you.
- Material choices can be limited if purchasing through a cemetry stone mason or the cemetry itself. Granite headstones are favored by most purchasers over marble due to its durability, ease of maintenance and ability to be laser-engraved.
- Check the source of the granite used. Online laser-engraved headstone manufacturers use only the highest quality, blackest granite because of the requirements of the laser. Stone masons and many cemetries often use a sub-standard granite.
- Compare prices. Headstone purchasing can be expensive. Online manufacturers offer an automatic price calulation with no hidden extra costs and many will ship for free. Purchases should be made through secure sites only. These can be identified by looking for the ‘lock’ symbol prior to purchase and by only using sites with reliable payment methods such as B-Pay and Direct Funds Transfer.
- When buying a memorial online your design is computer- rendered for you. You can change and adapt it many times until all loved ones are happy before you finalise the design. A delivery timeframe will also be given.
Headstones
A headstone is a memorial stone stone set at the head of a grave. It is engraved to commemorate the life of the deceased. Headstones can mark single or twin graves. Alternative names are gravestone or tombstone.
Ledger
A ledger is a flat slab of stone, laid horizontally over a grave.
Memorial Plaques
A memorial plaque is a flate inscribed marker plate, usually made from stone or metal. It is fixed to a flat surface such as a wall and used to commemorate the life of a person or a specific event. Alternative name is tablet.
Full Monument
A full monument is best described as ‘bed’. It is available in single and double sizes and comprises a headstone as the bedhead, the base under the headstone would be the pillow, the ledger panel would be the mattress, surrounded by a curb area.
Slopper or Desk
This is an angled grave marker which is made from granite or cement. Granite sloppers can be engraved or have a plaque attached.
Urns
An urn is used to hold the cremation ashes of the deceased. These have traditionally consisted of basic boxes or jars. Now urns come in a wide range of styles and designs and are available online. Many can be personlised both in design and inscription.
