This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of American Cemetery & Cremation, published by Kates-Boylston Publications,and is being shared with permission. Visit www.americancemetery.com to subscribe.

When families consider naturalstone for their memorials – whethermarkers, crypts, upright monu-ments, private mausoleum – theyshould remember that natural stoneseach have distinct characteristics.Some of the most popular naturalstones include:

• Limestone – a sedimentary rockformed in the ocean, primarily madeof calcium carbonate (dead marineanimal skeletons).

• Marble – metamorphic (subject-ed to heat and pressure) limestone.It’s often used for interior applica-tions such as crypt or niche fronts inchapel mausoleums.

• Sandstone – a sedimentary rockformed from small rock particles (usu-ally quartz sand) that are “cemented”together, typically with calcite.

• Slate – mud that was deposited inlayers in the ocean and then subjected

to heat and pressure. Slate is foliated(layered). Often these layers are splitinto sheets and can be used for floor-ing and roofing.

• Granite – formed when an under-ground bubble of magma (liquidrock) moves toward the earth’s sur-face and crystallizes into a solid mass.Granites are composed primarily ofthe hard minerals quartz and feldspar. Of all the types of natural stone,

granite is most often used for memo-rials in cemeteries. Granite is one ofthe hardest natural building stonesand resistant to chemical weathering,making it the preferred choice for ex-terior cemetery use. In addition to its durability and

ease of maintenance, granite is natu-rally beautiful with a rainbow ofcolor choices. Many are familiar withgranite’s shades of gray, black andwhite. But a granite color in shades

such as blue, red, pink or green cancreate a truly personalized tribute. Granite also creates a unique look

because no two pieces are ever thesame. Even one loaf of granite takenout of a quarry can contain severaldifferent characteristics. In addition,the granite fabricator can apply dif-ferent finishes to achieve a variety ofappearances with the same stone. As families make their selections,

they should keep in mind that thestone’s cost depends upon the quarryit’s being extracted from. For exam-ple, certain granite colors can easilybe quarried in large block sizes, whileothers have small piece sizes andcharacteristics that make it more ex-pensive to extract. It’s always best tocheck with the manufacturer – espe-cially when creating large memorials– because not all granite works forlarge piece sizes.

MemorialsHow to Create a Lasting, Memorable Memorial

M o d e r n

MemorializationBy Erin Schwanitz-Vogt

When it comes to creating a beautiful memorial that stands the test oftime, nothing compares to the benefits of natural stone. As one of themost durable surfaces on the planet, natural stone can create a familylegacy that will remain for generations to come. Just as each person’slife is unique, no two pieces of natural stone are exactly alike.

Modern Quarrying Methodsand Applications to Memorial DevelopmentWith modern technology and process improvements,

stone can be quarried faster, more efficiently and withless waste. Modern quarries now utilize a drive-in func-tionality, allowing machines to access all parts of thequarry for cutting, extracting, lifting and hauling. Various parts of the quarry can be accessed to accom-modate difficult sizes of stone or characteristics need-ed. This allows certain manufacturers to quarry stonespecific to the wants and needs of the consumer.Additional advances in technology have improved

the efficiency of quarrying. Diamond wire saws havereplaced the use of several previous extraction tools,such as explosives and jet burners, which would oftendamage the stone before use. The diamond wire saw,cutting both vertically and horizontally, allows aquarrier to open and develop various parts of thequarry, with minimal damage to the stone and there-fore less waste. Other tools such as pneumatic drillsallow increased efficiency and the ability to split thestone to size.

Above: Modern quarries now utilize a drive-in functionality, allowing machines to access all parts of the quarry for cutting, extracting, lifting and hauling. Below: To create a truly customized memorial, many families choose one of granite’s manyshades. Colors from Coldspring include (from top left to right) Blue Pearl, Carnelian, Sunset Red, Sierra White, Kenoran Sage,Lake Superior Green, Rainbow, Mesabi Black and Rockville White.(Photos courtesy of Coldspring)

In addition to technology improvements, modern quarryingtechniques allow larger loaf sizes tobe extracted from the quarry,which can meet sizes needed forlarger memorials. Once a loaf is ex-tracted, it can then be prepared forblock production. In a typical manufacturing

process, the layout department re-views the color and quality for thebest yield. Special projects withlarger sizes, such as the roof or wallstone for a private mausoleum canthen be selected from the block tostay within specific color, rangeand characteristic considerations. Additionally, some manufacturers

use a numbering system identifyingexactly where in a quarry the stonewas extracted. This is important insituations when a match for a stoneis needed in the future.

Beyond the GrayOne of the most effective ways to

personalize a permanent memorial isby choosing a granite color otherthan gray. When asked their favoritecolor, most people in the UnitedStates don’t respond with gray. How-ever, gray is, by far, the most com-mon color for memorials and oftenthe first color presented to families. Often as much as 80 percent or

more of an organization’s memorialsales are plain, gray memorials. By in-troducing one additional option dur-ing a memorial sale, such as granitecolor, families begin to visualize atruly custom memorial. What’s more,one memorial can feature several cus-tom options: colored stone, bronzeportrait, multiple finishes (polish,sanded, rock pitch) and differentcarving techniques. When presented with their options,

Coldspring’s Personal Reflections

customer usage research indicatesconsumers will often upgrade theirmemorial with colors, images andmore:• 94 percent will select a color

other than gray when given the op-tion.• 53 percent will choose a premium

offering when made available.*In recent years, Web-based applica-

tions have greatly assisted the abilityto present personalized memorial op-tions. One example is Personal Reflec-tions from Coldspring. This onlineselection tool consolidates memorialor marker/gravestone selection andordering into a single, seamless expe-rience. With Personal Reflections,cemetery counselors guide consumersthrough an interactive, memorial se-lection process in a dynamic, Web-based environment that displaysfull-color photographic renderings ofhow a customized memorial will

This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of American Cemetery & Cremation, published by Kates-Boylston Publications,and is being shared with permission. Visit www.americancemetery.com to subscribe.

Above: An online selection tool consolidates memorial or marker/gravestone selection and ordering into a single, seamlessexperience for families. Opposite page: Different granite colors, finishes and carving techniques can add personalization to amemorial. This memorial (bottom picture) features several custom options: colored stone, bronze portrait, multiple finishes(polish, sanded, rock pitch) and different carving techniques. (Photos courtesy of Coldspring)

look, in real-time, as options are chosen. Online selection tools are causing an increase in

the average memorial sale. Unlike with traditionalpoint-of-sale merchandising methods, consumersengaged in the design process can see in real-timewhat custom options added to their memorial willlook like. They have an increased freedom andconfidence in selecting greater personalization intheir memorials. The hands-on opportunity to design a personal-

ized memorial helps customers choose more itemssuch as cameos or personal inscriptions describinghow they feel about their loved ones. Familymembers can write personal verses and immedi-ately see them placed on the memorial. When theycan visualize the memorial, it makes the processeasier for the user as well as the cemetery or fu-neral home. Regardless of the method used, it’s worth tak-

ing the time to understand the customer and pre-sent all the options. If counselors understand theconsumer, they can help identify ways to betterpersonalize the memorial. The options and combinations are endless for

capturing a loved one’s life story. By asking ques-tions, listening, educating and assisting con-sumers, counselors can play a role in memorialdesign that best expresses a life well lived. Andwith natural stone as the canvas, families can besure it will last for centuries to come. •

This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of American Cemetery & Cremation, published by Kates-Boylston Publications,and is being shared with permission. Visit www.americancemetery.com to subscribe.