In this portion of the Creative Memorials
web site we will address certain questions pertaining to memorials, services,
and products.
We invite you to submit any questions or feedback and you will find
your questions and answers posted here from time to time.
Where do I start I've never had to do this before?
You are no different than most people. Below we have listed some things
that you may want to consider before you visit your local monument builder.
Take a tape measure and a note pad with you.
- Visit your cemetery and look to see what types of memorials are in
your area.
- Check to see what colours of memorials are in your area.
- Check to see what sizes are in your area.
- (Look at the back of the memorials and see if there is a nameplate
there to indicate who installed the memorial.
- Look at the different lettering styles and see which style you prefer
(there are many ways to letter a memorial).
- Check out the designs …. Are the designs carved into the face of the
memorial or left flat?
- Draw a sketch of the memorial and indicate the measurements on the
sketch.
How long do I have to wait before ordering a memorial?
Wait until you are comfortable talking about the memorial. Most people
wait about 3 months until they know their financial position and when most
of the shock has past.
Will the foundation that goes under the upright memorial
interfere with the burial?
NO…. All cemeteries have adequate space built into the graves to allow
for the burial and a memorial foundation.
Why does the cemetery require a concrete foundation
under the memorial?
If the concrete foundation is dug and poured below frost level it will
ensure that the memorial will continue to stand up nice and straight for
many decades to come. In Ontario most (if not all) cemeteries will require
you to pay a sum of money into the cemeteries care fund. This will either
be $100.00 or $200.00 depending on the size. The cemetery must by law put
this money in a trust fund to ensure that should the foundation become
unsafe there will always be money set aside to repair it.
Can I have an upright memorial on my lot?
Check with your local monument builder he will know all the rules for
cemeteries in his area.
Can my memorial be as big as I want it to be?
Most (if not all) cemeteries have rules regarding the sizes of memorials.
Some have very tight rules others have very relaxed rules. Check with your
monument builder he should know.
My cemetery will only allow me to have a flat bronze
marker. Why is this?
Some cemeteries will only allow flat bronze markers, most of the are
Memorial Gardens type cemeteries. The thinking was that cemeteries with
a park-like setting would be easier to maintain. Most of these cemeteries
are now planning upright memorials sections because people found it difficult
to find graves in the winter time when the ground was covered with snow
and people preferred upright memorials.
Can I have any shape or colour of memorial that I want?
Yes, as long as the memorial conforms to the sizes allowed by the cemetery.
Some cemeteries have a rule that the base stone must be the same material
as the die stone. Check with your local monument builder he will know the
rules.
Why can't I letter the back or ends of my memorial?
Some cemeteries have rules, which state that lettering on memorials
must only face the grave space, and not face other people's cemetery property.
Will my memorial fade in time?
Most memorials today are made from granite and good granite will not
fade or discolour in time. All granites are not created equal. Some are
better than others. Check an older section in your cemetery and see how
well the memorials have stood up over time.
How long will my monument or marker last?
If your memorial is made from a good quality granite it will last for
many hundreds of years probably even thousands of years.
Why aren't all granites the same price?
There are a number of reasons why granites differ in price. When a
block of granite is removed from the ground there is a certain amount that
is normal waste. With some granites the waste factor is much larger and
obtaining good clear pieces becomes a problem so the price is higher. Sometimes
granites that are imported from other countries are more expensive because
of high freight costs and dollar fluctuations. Some granites are harder
to polish than others hence a higher price.
Why does it take so long to complete my memorial?
There are a number of factors that control the time it takes to complete
and install your memorial. The first would be the availability of the granite.
The second would be the time it takes to have drawings done and approved.
Remember the old saying about having things etched in stone. Once the memorial
is lettered it is permanent and it is very expensive to change. Always
ask for either a scaled computer drawing or a full size drawing, which
you can approve. Mistakes can happen always double-check the spelling and
dates. The last reason it can take so long to compete your memorial is
the foundation. Some cemeteries install their own foundations and sometimes
only once or twice a year. Sometimes due to bad weather it can take longer
to have the foundation installed. Once your memorial is installed it will
be there forever a few extra days or weeks should not even be a consideration.
Why can't cemeteries pour foundations in the winter?
In most climates freezing is a major consideration for not installing
foundations in the winter. Concrete does not set well if the temperature
is below freezing.
Will moss grow on the top of my memorial if it is not
polished?
Moss growing on memorials seems to be a problem in some areas more
than other areas. It has a lot to do with the climate and ground moisture
and as well the proximity to certain trees and shrubs. Having the top polished
simply makes the memorial easier to clean and the slippery surface hinders
moss growth. In most cases moss or most other stains can be removed by
pressure washing and professional cleaning. Ask your local monument builder
about this.
Why should you add the wife's maiden name to the memorial
nobody around here knew her by that name anyway?
Consider your memorial to be the only permanent piece of history that
there is. Family bibles can get lost or destroyed so can other family records.
Creative Memorials Limited
190 Ontario Street South
Milton, Ontario
L9T 2M9
Phone: 905-878-6522
Fax: 905-878-0072
EMAIL
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