Making arrangements for a loved one’s grave memorial is not something many people look forward to and can be a little stressful for some. However, visiting a cemetery and seeing a beautiful, personalized marker for the first time can make the effort devoted to selecting a meaningful marker seem every bit worthwhile.
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If you will be purchasing a grave memorial in the near future and are unsure where to start, we put together some information to get you headed in the right direction.
Here are 9 considerations to help simplify the process and make it a little easier to narrow down your options.
1. Cemetery Regulations
Every cemetery has regulations pertaining to the style, material and size of grave markers permitted on their grounds. Maintenance, landscaping and aesthetics play a big role in determining these rules.
Before getting too deep into the selection process, you will want to make sure the cemetery permits the type of grave memorial you have in mind. Most cemeteries are laid out in sections, each of which have their own specific requirements for marker compliance. Don’t be surprised if a certain type of grave marker is allowed in one part of a cemetery but not another.
2. Where to Purchase the Grave Marker
Once a cemetery and grave space have been decided upon, the next logical step is determining where to purchase the marker.
Most cemeteries offer grave markers. Staff members have industry experience and know the ins and outs of the cemetery, making them well suited to provide families with guidance.
Purchasing a marker from a monument company is another viable choice. In addition to offering a variety of options, a monument shop’s staff is familiar with area cemeteries’ regulations and installation processes.
Many funeral homes offer memorials as well. Funeral directors have an established relationship with families and can be relied on to offer direction and recommendations.
A final option is to buy a marker online. Although convenient, this should be done with caution as it can be difficult to verify a company’s credibility. The lack of a showroom also prohibits consumers from seeing a product’s quality.
3. Affordability
The price of a grave memorial ranges anywhere from a couple hundred dollars for a small, basic marker to upwards of $20,000 for a high end option. On average, a marker will cost between $1,500 to $3,000. The exact price will depend on several factors.
- Size and shape of the marker
- Type and quality of material
- Customization selections
- Manufacturing processes
Having an idea of how much you plan on spending ahead of time will enable your salesperson to show you options that fit your budget and make the most use of your time.
Also, don’t forget to ask about any installation fees. Buying a grave marker is a significant purchase and you certainly don’t want to be caught off guard when it comes to cost.
4. The Deceased’s Preferences
Ideally, a conversation would have taken place between you and your loved one allowing you to record what type of permanent memorial he or she wanted as part of their legacy. Since the opportunity to have this discussion does not always present itself, you may need to put some additional thought into what style marker best represents the deceased’s life.
Customization offerings, which will be discussed later, are a great way to showcase the personality of the deceased in a way he or she would have appreciated. If the grave is located close to other family members, a marker of similar size, material and color would be fitting and likely found suitable by your loved one.
5. Material
Equipping oneself with some basic knowledge about a grave marker’s material is an important part of the buying decision. More than likely, you will be selecting from either a granite, marble or bronze memorial.
In order to make an educated decision and have long term satisfaction with your purchase, consider the following characteristics pertaining to the marker’s material.
- Resistance to scratching, chipping, and cracking
- Available color choices
- Legibility over time
- Necessary maintenance and care
- Sustainability against harsh weather
Being aware of the advantages and potential drawbacks will help ensure you remain pleased with the marker over time.
6. Inscription
A grave inscription, also known as an epitaph, is one of the features that makes a grave marker unique to the person being memorialized. The possibilities for inscriptions are endless. They can be religious, inspirational, or even comical. A loved one’s military service, occupation, and pastimes can be represented in the epitaph as well.
A salesperson can certainly make suggestions based on inscriptions other families have chosen. However, if you desire a more creative epitaph, you should prepare some ideas in advance. When doing so, be sure to factor in the length of your epitaph in relation to the size of the marker you are interested in purchasing.
8. Customization
Customizing a grave marker is a great way to make it a one-of-a-kind tribute that will stand out amongst others.
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Emblems are the most standard form of customization and there are literally thousands to choose from. Some of the more popular ones are doves, crosses, angels and praying hands.
The grave marker’s material often dictates the customization opportunities. Laser etching can be used to create a portrait or other illustration on granite and marble markers. Additional selections for such markers include back surface and shape carving as well as specialty and hand tooled lettering.
For families who choose bronze markers, their loved one’s likeness can be represented using an oxide or full-color picture. Works of art turned into custom backdrops and photo collages can further enhance the personalization features. Full-color photo medallions can be mounted on grave markers made of any material.
9. Cremation Grave Memorials Versus Standard Grave Markers
Many grave memorial providers offer cremation grave markers. These offerings may be similar to a standard marker in terms of style and have the same customization offerings, but will generally be smaller in size. As a result, they are usually less costly.
It is important to check the cemetery’s rules and regulations to see if they have specific requirements for cremation grave markers. Some cemeteries even have dedicated areas of the cemetery, called cremation gardens, where individuals who choose cremation can be buried.
Final Thoughts
Funerals typically take place within a week of a person’s passing and families must quickly prepare for the ceremonies. They must gather photos and other memorabilia to display, select music and readings, and choose a casket as well as a burial vault.
The beauty of picking out a grave marker is it doesn’t have to be done right away. While you don’t want to wait too long, it is perfectly acceptable to take a little extra time to ensure you are pleased with the decision.
Don’t hesitate to visit a cemetery or two to find inspiration and get ideas. If you aren’t comfortable carrying the entire weight of the decision, feel free to obtain opinions and recommendations from family members and friends.
Purchasing a marker is a significant decision and not one that should be taken lightly. A grave memorial is so much more than a landmark with a name and set of dates. It symbolizes a unique individual who lived on this earth and impacted the lives of those who crossed their path.
Educating yourself about the selection process and giving thoughtful consideration to your choices will result in an unforgettable final tribute to a loved one.
The Best Markers
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The Best Alcohol-Based Markers
My overall pick are the Ohuhu Honolulu Markers. Thanks to their low price, they used to be my ultra-budget pick, but were lacking in certain areas. Since then, Ohuhu has made impressive strides in matching the features found in expensive markers, like Copics. They've boosted the color range (341 colors at the time of writing), made the markers refillable and the nibs replaceable. You can even buy them individually! If you're a complete beginner, I'd recommend getting a mid-range set, like the 120-set. If you're a completist who likes to own every color, you'll need to get the 320-set and the 36 Skin Tone set.
My only gripe with the Ohuhu is that their color naming system is confusing. To compensate for this, you can check out my Custom Ohuhu Color Chart, which arranges the colors chromatically! You can also read my in-depth review of Ohuhu alcohol brush markers to find out if they're right for you!
My ultra-budget pick are Arrtx Markers (shown below), which are a good choice if you prefer the bullet/fine tip over the brush tip that comes with the other products mentioned above. They manage to be even cheaper than the Ohuhu markers, but they aren't refillable and the tips aren't replaceable. However, I like that they come with a handy carrying case with an individual slot for each marker. Read my detailed review of Arrtx Markers to learn more! You can also check out my article on the Best Copic Alternatives.
If you want the very best, you still can't do better than Copic Sketch Markers. As I mentioned, I have the complete set of 358 colors and I have been using them to create colored art for my books for over a decade! They've been the best you can buy for years, and although brands like Ohuhu have significantly closed the gap, the Copics still have the best color range and the highest quality nibs. The only downside is their expensive price point, so they're really only worthwhile for professional artists and illustrators.
You can often save money by buying them in larger sets. I acquired all 358 colors gradually over the course of 1-2 years - there’s no need to rush and buy all of them at once (unless you can afford it and want to). I like that Copic Sketch Markers are double-ended, with the brush tip on one end and the chisel on the other. Read above to learn about how well they perform when it comes to coloring and blending. To learn more, check out my extensive review of Copic Markers.
The Best Water-Based Markers
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My overall pick are the Ohuhu Water-Based Markers, which are available in a set of 120 for only $35 (at the time of this writing!). You can also get a huge 160-set for around $45. These are by far the cheapest water-based markers I've found that are also good quality, which makes them an excellent set for beginners. However, like most water-based markers, these aren't refillable, don't have replaceable nibs, and can't be purchased individually.
My upgrade pick are the Akashiya Sai Watercolor Brush Pens. They only have a color range of 30, but I just had to recommend them because they’re a joy to use and they’re not as expensive as some of the other brands. I got the set of 20 because they were on sale, and I immediately loved the flexibility and smoothness of their brush tip. The color glides off the nib and their blending capabilities are amazing for the price. As I write, the 20-color set is around $20-30 and the 30-color set is $45.
I also like the Tombow Dual Brush pens, which are available in an impressive 108 colors. The only downside for me with Tombow brush markers is that the brush tips are not as flexible as my other recommendations, and as a result, they can sometimes tear or pill the paper, which is an issue I haven't encountered with any of my other recommended water-based markers.
The Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens come from a reliable brand, and contain pigmented India ink (which is more lightfast), but I found that they didn’t blend as well as I would have liked. I can see why they’re popular with people who like hand-lettering though.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Custom Markers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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