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Choosing the Right Memorial
By Tom Sangers
When it comes to choosing a memorial for a loved one, it
will probably come at a time when you are mourning for
the deceased and can find it a struggle to make clear
decisions. If you are lucky and the deceased had planned
his/her funeral before departure then you may find they
have already picked a memorial that they are happy with.
If not, then it is important that you take your time to
consider the options as a memorial should reflect the
people they commemorate as closely as possible.
Memorials have been around way before any of us living
on earth have and with that comes a vast history and
heritage. Some companies have a long standing in the
industry and manufacture their memorial headstones and
gravestones using traditional methods employing expert
craftsmen and skilled artists. However, like any other
industry, the funeral industry has companies that will
offer imitation or cheap memorials which will not only
look unauthentic when placed in the crematoria, cemetery
or churchyard but won't stand the test of time either.
It is important not to fall prey to these companies and
ensure that you do your research on the best materials
used for gravestones, best manufacturing processes, life
expectancy of the headstones and length of time the
company has been operating.
When it comes to choosing the right memorial, you can
get all the quality and craftsmanship required at a
reasonable price so don't be put off at the first
hurdle. The hardest choice is often choosing which
material to go for. It is best to opt for either marble
or granite as the material of choice. Granite can be
quarried from a variety of countries and will vary
greatly in colour and price. It is generally more
expensive than marble as it is more difficult to shape
and cut. The hardness of the material does ensure that
it is almost maintenance free which will always be
reassuring. Marble is classically white to blue-white in
colour and is veined with darker blue/grey markings. One
of the main advantages of marble is that it can be
shaped and carved by hand to produce more intricate
designs if this is something you think would fit the
deceased, although granite can also be shaped too. It is
worth getting a sample of each material and deciding
what sort of shape you would like the memorial to take
as this may dictate whether it is granite or marble you
use. |
