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What is a Monument?
What is a Monument?
An upright memorial, a stone structure (or statue) erected to keep the memory of someone or something alive. A monument can also be used as a tribute to someone or something. It has also been referred to as a headstone, tombstone, or gravestone.
An upright memorial, a stone structure (or statue) erected to keep the memory of someone or something alive. A monument can also be used as a tribute to someone or something. It has also been referred to as a headstone, tombstone, or gravestone.
The word monument comes to us from a Latin root word that means "remind." This is very fitting because the main reason for putting up a monument is to remind us of a loved one who has passed.
The word monument comes to us from a Latin root word that means "remind." This is very fitting because the main reason for putting up a monument is to remind us of a loved one who has passed.
The definition of the word monument we are referring to here is a structure used to mark a grave in a cemetery. It would normally be placed at the head of a grave. It can also be used to mark a family plot. In this case, it would be placed in the center of the plot and would display the family name as well as the family member's names and dates.
The definition of the word monument we are referring to here is a structure used to mark a grave in a cemetery. It would normally be placed at the head of a grave. It can also be used to mark a family plot. In this case, it would be placed in the center of the plot and would display the family name as well as the family member's names and dates.
Types of monuments
Types of monuments
Flush or Flat Monument
Flush or Flat Monument
Flush or Flat Monuments are normally 4" in height with a polished top, and a sawed or balance rough rock sides. This style of marker can be set level with the ground in a foundation or it can sit upright on the foundation.
Benefits:
- The cemetery has a consistent appearance
- Flush markers make it easier to mow grass
Concerns:
- Lawnmowers may run over flowers, vases, or personal items left at the grave
- Markers overgrow with grass just like a driveway or sidewalk
- You need to be standing over it to read it, making it difficult to find a grave
Bevel Monuments
Bevel Monuments
Bevel Monuments have a polished top, and a sawed or balance rough rock sides rock and are normally 6" or 8" high. They are slanted so that the back of the marker is slightly higher than the front of the marker.
Benefits:
- Above ground and easier to see than flush markers
- Slight slope to top makes it easier to read and will stay clean longer than a flat marker
Concerns:
- You still need to be within 5 to 10 feet to read the marker making it hard to find.
Slant with or without a base
Slant with or without a base
The slant monument stands generally 16 inches tall allowing it to be seen from a distance. Slant monuments usually have a polished face, sawed back, balance rough rock sides, with a Serpentine top. Slant monuments are wedge shaped with the face running at an angle and the back is straight up and down. The slant can even be set onto a granite base to give it more of a presence. Slant markers can be configured to cover one, two or three graves.
Slant-Face Markers are normally 16" in height with a matching granite base can be added.
Benefits:
- Larger design area allows for more information and bigger letters
- Can be read from a greater distance. Stays much cleaner than flush or bevel markers
- A Veteran's bronze service plaque can be attached to the back
- By adding a base, you get extra height for visibility and lawnmower protection
Concerns:
- While the family name, children's names, or other information can be placed on the back it may limit the ability of mounting the Veteran's bronze plaque
- Without a base a lawnmower can chip the lower face if sexton is not careful
Bench Monuments
Bench Monuments
Benches come in a variety of granite colors, styles, finishes and sizes.
A single grave bench will typically have a seat 36” long while a two grave lot, or larger, will typically have a 48” long seat.
Benefits:
- Provide a place for people to sit and find solace while visiting cemetery
- Unique style and shape makes memorial easier to find among traditional memorials
- Some styles of benches can be cored to receive cremated remains like the one pictured above
Concerns:
- Depending on type and size of bench it may not be as easy to read the lettering
- A bench may limit the size of design and amount of information that can be placed on it
Upright Monuments
Upright Monuments
A Two-Piece Upright Monument consists of a top piece which is 6" or 8" thick and stands straight up and down. This piece sits on a matching granite base to make it more stable. The top piece of the monument comes in varying sizes, shapes and finishes.
The standard base has a polished top, balance rough rock. Bases also come in different finishes such as all polished, all smooth (no polished surface), with polished margins, and with beveled fronts for lettering purposes.
Benefits:
- Easiest to find in the cemetery
- Largest design area available
- Can easily be shaped in a wide variety of custom shapes, like a heart, tear drop, etc.
- Stays clean longer than other styles
- Base of monument protects from mower damage
- Can be read from a distance
- Offers lots of room on back for design, lettering and mounting a Veteran's bronze plaque if family desires
Concerns:
- None
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