Customizing Your Loved One's Monument

When creating a monument for a loved one’s burial site, there are a lot of different options to consider. Customization can range from size and shape, to the color of the stone, and the finish on the stone. Do you prefer your loved one’s name to be on a plaque, or carved into the stone? Matthew Funeral Home has over 40 years of experience as a monument dealer.

Colors

Matthew Funeral Home offers 16 different colors of granite for your loved one’s custom monument, sourcing the stone from all over the world. You can choose from our wide range of colors, from ebony mist to imperial red. You can choose a color that is personal to your loved one, or a more classic option. Barre Gray is the most affordable monument stone color, and it is one of the most popular. Some cemeteries only accept headstones of certain colors. But Barre gray is the most widely accepted choice. Your monument specialist will be able to help you determine what options are available for your loved one’s cemetery.

Styles & Finishes

Monuments are available in a variety of shapes and styles to fit any budget or wishes of your loved one. Classic choices include pillow markers or upright monuments. Customized designs, such as a heart-shaped monument, or a carving of an angel, can be a great way to memorialize the deceased. The finish on the monument can be either matte or glossy. As with colors, your monument specialist can help you determine which options are allowed in the cemetery of your choosing.

Sizes

Monuments can come in a lot of different styles, but most often, sizing for cemetery monuments focus on the amount of plots and family members that the monument will be used for. Most commonly, individual monuments are for a single grave plot. Companion monuments are designed for spouses and partners, and are for 2 plots in the cemetery. Families that utilize a set of plots, or a private section of a cemetery for a number of family members might opt for an even larger monument that can represent a number of individuals.  

Plaques or Inscription

Monuments can feature your loved one’s name and other information on plaques attached to the stone, or carved into the surface of it. Plaques can be changed, updated or removed, whereas engravings can only be done over or refurbished. In most cases, it is more of a personal choice. Plaques are common on companion or family monuments, as they can be added as needed. Additional inscriptions can be done without removing the memorial from the grave site. Other languages besides English can be used, provided that it is allowed by the cemetery. 

Designs

You can customize your loved one’s memorial with a number of carved and engraved designs. You can choose from our catalogue of popular designs, which include a number of religious and cultural designs; or you can have something custom added. 

For almost 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.