Measuring Your Monument

 

When taking or giving dimensions for a memorial always use this format:

Length is defined as the measurement from Left to Right.

Width is defined as the measurement from Front to Back.

Height is defined as the measurement from Bottom to Top.

When you are taking or giving the dimensions always use the perspective of standing in front of the memorial.

Measurements can be written in inches or feet and inches.  Granite manufacturers convert all measurements into feet and inches, using a dash to separate the feet from the inches.  Examples:

24” would be written 2-0 (two feet, zero inches)

48” would be written 4-0 (four feet, zero inches)

14” would be written 1-2 (one foot, two inches)

4” would be written 0-4 (zero feet, four inches)

Be aware of odd dimensions!  Granite is not an exact product.  In fact, most memorials are a little oversized.  If you take a measurement on a monument and it’s 48 ½ inches, it’s 48 inches.  If the stone measures 8 ¾ inches, it’s 8 inches.  This is a common error and can complicate an order when it occurs.  Fractions are considered only when there is a need for a piece to fit precisely into a given space.

Choosing a Monument Granite Color

What color stone does your family want?  This is a simple question that can sometimes be very difficult to answer.  Observe your local cemetery.  See what colors are popular in your area.  Most stones are a version of gray, red (pink) or black, and you will occasionally see an uncommon or “odd” color. Check with the cemetery or funeral home selling the monument, if you are unfamiliar with your options, as they should have a selection of swatches or actual granite samples.

The advantages of ordering domestic in-stock granites are lower price and shorter delivery times. Pricing structures focus on the types of granite currently being quarried and being cut regionally. Prompt and consistent delivery is available on many stock colors throughout the US. Average domestic delivery time is generally three to four weeks once the monument design is approved.

There may be an occasion where matching granite color to a previously designed memorial piece is necessary.  Many granite monument manufacturers have the resources available to match just about any granite color.  Make sure your family understands that the color they order today may not match exactly in future monument designs, due to weathering of the existing monument and variations of color within the granite quarry itself.  Keeping this in mind, you may be able to substitute a similar color to keep costs down and ensure prompt delivery. There are many granite colors and granite grain options that make colors appear very similar to each other, especially when viewing the memorial or monument from a distance.

REMEMBER: GRANITE IS A NATURAL PRODUCT, COLOR AND VARIEGATION MAY VARY FROM PRINTED SWATCHES OR ACTUAL GRANITE SAMPLES. 

Aluminum Vases Deter Metal Thefts

There has been so much media coverage surrounding bronze thefts from cemeteries, there doesn’t seem to be a safe place to honor loved ones with bronze markers or bronze flower vases. The amount of bronze stolen from US cemeteries has increased with the economic downturn and the continuation of scrap yards participating in the illegal purchase of this highly sought after metal.

Hoping to protect families and their loved ones from further loss, Century has added additional turned vases, made from durable and long lasting powder-coated aluminum, to their monument sales. Aluminum is not a popular metal for thieves and it can be difficult to tell the difference between the bronze and the aluminum vases. Both are intricately molded, non-crushable and will not rust. However, the aluminum vases are less likely to be vandalized or stolen, saving heartbreak and added stress to the family. These vases are available in traditional sizes in Jet Black and Antique Bronze finishes. They can be purchased at the time the monument is ordered or separately if only a replacement vase is needed.