Why are tombstones so expensive

A memorial serves as a lasting physical mark of a lost loved one, making the selection process There are situations when a family or individual may need or want to add information to an Most Recent Posts. A memorial serves as a lasting physical mark of a lost loved one, making the selection process difficult.

You want every detail to be perfect, and understandably so. Your loved one's memorial should be a representation of their life—something that needs to stand the test of time for future generations. Factors like the type of memorial, placement and unique designs impact final price—sometimes greatly. And as end-of-life planning costs continue to rise, families must keep a budget in mind when personalizing a memorial.

To understand the typical cost of a memorial , headstone or grave marker , you must consider the following factors involved in the piece. Related posts. A cemetery plot, or grave, is the physical space where a loved one is laid to rest—whether they When it comes to honoring lost loved ones, many families choose traditional granite memorials, Subscribe to the Blog.

Recent Posts. Follow Us. Helping families remember and memorialize their loved ones for three generations. Purchasing directly from a retailer can also usually be done online, for a generally cheaper price.

If you're purchasing a headstone online always check with your cemetery of choice before purchasing. Many cemeteries have restrictions or requirements regarding the type of headstones they'll install on a gravesite. The last thing you want to do is purchase a beautiful and customized headstone, only to find out your cemetery can't or won't install it.

Many headstones include custom designs, engravings, and even statues. Browse affordable headstones. Headstones are not necessary purchases, but it's nice to have a spot where a loved one is buried be easily recognized.

If you're worried about the huge prices that go along with purchasing a large, heavier headstone - consider a grave marker. Grave markers are sleek, inexpensive, and fulfill the same purpose of a headstone at a much cheaper price. Ongoing in our series on funeral industry professionals, we had the opportunity to interview a husband and wife duo in the industry: Maxton-Rosado Funeral Home funeral director, Vonda Rosado and funeral.

We're continuing to shed some light on the often misunderstood professions of those who work in the funeral industry. Marble headstones are less durable and can require you to hire a professional to maintain the sheen and appearance of the gravestone over time. You can purchase headstones online , from funeral homes, cemeteries, or directly from headstone vendors. Headstones, no matter what kind you purchase, are not cheap. The nicer the type of rock, the more expensive the headstone is going to be.

If you need a headstone that's on the less expensive end, you'll want to make sure you're purchasing a grave marker. Grave markers are the least expensive type of headstone since they're often the smallest and require the least amount of material to make.

Grave markers serve the same purpose as a headstone and generally contain all of the same type of information. Browse affordable headstones. Funeral fundraisers help individuals and family cover both the expected and unexpected costs of a funeral. Before having these conversations, always remember: Explain the importance of these conversations Acknowledge that it may. Funerals are expensive, much more expensive than most families expect. Even though you're not required to purchase all the bells and whistles, it can be difficult to plan a funeral that's much cheaper than the national average, especially if you're not sure what to cut and where to look.

Ever Loved simplifies the funeral planning process and makes it easier to focus on the people and things that matter. There are tons of helpful resources available to families during their time of need. If your cemetery doesn't offer the service, consider hiring a professional monument installation team.

Installing a headstone yourself isn't generally recommended although you may be permitted to do so, depending on the location. Finished headstones are heavy, and you've made a significant investment up to this point.

You want to make sure that the stone sits correctly and stays in place for the long term. The process of installing a headstone involves precisely measuring the stone, digging a properly-sized hole where the headstone will sit, and often, placing a concrete base.

Only medium- and large-sized headstones require concrete foundations. If you have a small flat headstone, this step isn't necessary. The price will depend on the amount of work required and the size of the monument. If the stone requires a concrete foundation, that will cost extra. The cost of a headstone doesn't end once it's safely in the ground.

Although headstones are made of sturdy materials they still need regular maintenance. Of course, you can perform maintenance on your loved one's headstone yourself—check out our guide on how to clean a headstone. But professional headstone cleaners often have techniques that make the process easier and increase the longevity of the stone. Additionally, you may not always want to take on the responsibility of hands-on grave maintenance.

You can even add services like flower planting and grass watering. In addition to regular maintenance, headstones need occasional restoration and repair. Wind, rain, and temperature changes all wear on the stone's finish and details. If a headstone has damage, it's best to get the restoration done sooner, rather than later.

Headstone restoration can involve resurfacing, or even wholly reinstalling, the concrete foundation to keep the headstone upright. It can also include detailing the headstone's engraving and restoring the surface of the stone to its former luster with careful polishing. Headstone restoration costs vary widely based on the state of the headstone. A more damaged headstone will cost more to restore.