It is vital (especially for first-time customers) to be aware when making a purchase. There are many questions and concerns people have asked us over the years. At DeChristopher Brothers we anticipate your needs. We’ve added the most commonly asked questions to help you make an informed choice.
A few things to consider:
- Visit the cemetery you plan to use for the burial
- Bring along a tape measure
- Paper and pen
- What types of memorials are there?
- What colors, sizes, styles, and lettering?
- Make notes, sketches, and measure
Get the exact dimensions, including the width of the memorial.
The size of the base or bottom piece should be furnished with the length, width and height.
The tablet or top piece should be furnished with the length, width, and height in this order:
Tablet: 20″ wide x 8″ thick x 24″ tall
Base: 24″ wide (left to right) x 12″ deep (back to front) x 8″ tall
Feel free to have pictures of memorials you may have seen that you may like to replicate.
When comparing anything, make sure they are the same Material, Shape and Size.
Two memorials that look the same in every way can be made from different materials and this alters the pricing radically.
Every cemetery has rules and regulations regarding size and shape.
Check with the cemetery to see that you meet those guidelines.
It is important during the process of memorial shopping that you ask many questions.
Always ask the state, country or part of the world the granite in question comes from.
For example, there are many types of grey granites out there with many different names. Barre Grey comes from Barre, Vermont while Classic Grey is from Georgia. Both appear similar on the surface, but Barre Grey is known to be far more superior and will not hold moisture like the less expensive and softer Georgia Grey granite will. Some companies have even changed the names of familiar granites they sell to hamper comparison shopping.
An example being Dakota Mahogany changed to Burgundy.
Ask To See Actual Examples Of Finished Work By The Memorial Dealer.
Most dealers have showrooms displaying their products. This will offer a better idea of the craft and skill employed by the company. Take some time to carefully examine the quality, design, shape, material, finish, carving, lettering, etc. This will give you a better idea of what to expect from that particular company.
Craftsmanship and prices greatly affect every decision before even beginning the process.
Make sure you know what you are getting upfront before proceeding.
Let’s take a moment to cover a hard topic…
Don’t be misled by package deals offered by many cemeteries and funeral homes. Dealing with final arrangements is not a one stop shopping experience. In many cases you could eventually end up paying more for the product than you have to.
Many children who are now preparing to purchase a memorial are baby boomers. Previous generations show that the parents knew to make Pre-Need Arrangements as part of their responsibility, shielding the family from potential burdens, stress and unnecessary grief. Today’s generations find many of the families facing this huge unknown for the first time… and they have no idea where to start.
A Pre-Need Arrangement is the process of purchasing those products (memorials, monuments, urns, markers, etc…) or services that will be needed so your loved ones will not have to take on the responsibility or burden of making any stressful decisions at their time of loss. By making Pre-Arrangements, the choices can be made in your own time, with the family involved, when everyone’s comfortable. This actually helps the family while alleviating the stresses and burdens that can be faced suddenly without warning.
The memorial or monument is constructed to be long lasting and be able to stand the test of time.
Make sure you receive a written guarantee that covers a replacement should the monument prove to be defective from the granite or craftsmanship.
Any reputable monument or memorial business will provide you with this and it’s important to remember, a written warranty is only as good as the company that is writing it.
There has been a surge in recent years of internet-only or “dot com” companies, (monument companies now adding to this list), that have appeared springing from other companies but only being in business for 10 years or less.
A lot of these dot com-panies come and go over time.
So it is important that whoever you purchase from will be there if you need them 10, 20, 50 or 100 years from now.
*Side note; DeChristopher Brothers has created this web site for the needs of the modern day customer, but is by no means a “web only” based company. We are a monument and memorial company that has been in business since 1915 and understands the importance of being current while keeping our traditions and values intact.
Let’s take a moment to cover a hard topic…
Many children who are now preparing to purchase a memorial are baby boomers. Previous generations show that the parents knew to make Pre-Need Arrangements as part of their responsibility, shielding the family from potential burdens, stress and unnecessary grief.
Today’s generations find many of the families facing this huge unknown for the first time… and they have no idea where to start.
You can visit any of our showrooms. Call our toll free number 800-358-6696, or Request our brochure
Always be sure when comparing; price, size, color, shape and design that they are not always the same.
Two stones that seem the same size, shape, and design, but differ in color, can have a fairly significant price difference.
Always compare!
Make sure they are the same.
The type of stone makes a difference.
You do not have to wait for the grave to settle before making a decision to memorialize. The cemetery pours a concrete foundation at the head of the grave, thus the soil is never disturbed and nothing has to settle before work can be completed. We can permanently install your memorial once the foundation is prepared.
It takes an average of 18-24 weeks (weather permitting) after you place an order for lettering to be completed.
We can accommodate rush orders, but we ask that you please plan ahead if you have a specific date in mind for completion.
Headstones are delivered straight to the cemetery or where ever you designated as the destination address.
We will provide all the necessary paperwork that the cemetery requires.
It depends on the cemetery and the location within the cemetery. All cemeteries have there own rules and regulations that also factor into what type of memorial is allowed. We will send one of our representatives to the grave site. They will do a visual inspection of the area and be able to advise you as to the size and style of monument that will fit well in the area.
Feel free to give us a call toll free at 800-358-6696 or request information by request our brochure.
In former times, family and friends may have gathered and physically installed the monument. Nowadays the memorial is installed prior to the unveiling. The stone or plaque may be veiled. Prayers are offered, words of eulogy shared and the veil is removed.
You will be required at the time of your purchase to leave a second check just for the cemetery. As a courtesy, we will file and furnish all the necessary paperwork to the cemetery so you do not have to.
- On monument orders we ask for 1/3 deposit, 1/3 with approved sketch, 1/3 after completion.
- On lettering orders we ask for 1/2 deposit, 1/2 after completion.
- Lay-away Plan: A 25% deposit is due upon signing of contract.
- Cemetery fees (permit and / or foundation charges) get paid up front as well.
*Clients may make payments until the balance is paid in full at 0% interest for the first 12 months. 10% interest (based on remaining balance) will be applied should the payment plan exceed one (1) calendar year.
- Traditional Cemeteries allow monuments of various materials.
- Some cemeteries have limits on the shapes and sizes on the monuments that are to be installed.
- Some traditional cemeteries have sections that only allow grass markers.
- Grass marker Cemeteries allow only markers that are flat with the ground and corner post that are at ground level.
- Bronze Only Cemeteries allow only bronze markers that are mounted on a granite base and that are flush with the ground.
Granite will last longer and is more durable.
Marble has a single mineral, Calcite, mainly limestone that has been compressed and is softer then Granite.
Granite is formed from molten rock and is made up of a number of minerals.
As a service to our customers: DeChristopher Brothers contacts the cemetery in which your memorial is to be placed to ensure the rules and regulations of the cemetery are met.
It is however, the ultimate responsibility of the customer to make sure the memorial meets those specifications provided.
