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Click on a question below to scroll down to the answer.
Do we need to wait for any length of time after a death before ordering a memorial?
How long does it take to complete a memorial?
Why should I buy a memorial in advance?
What type of material should the memorial be made of?
Who installs the memorials?
Do I need to purchase a memorial even if the body was cremated?
How long will the stone last?
What is the difference between granite and marble?
How is the carving and design put on the stone?
If I want a special design, can you do it?
Do you stand behind your work?
Should I use years only or month, day and year?
If I run into problems at the cemetery, who should I go to for help?
Do all cemeteries allow the same type of memorial?
Why should I buy a memorial from Peter Troost Monument Company instead of from the cemetery?
How much should I expect to pay for a memorial?
What is the difference between a hand etching and a laser etching?
Do we need to wait for any length of time after a death before ordering a memorial?
There is no "right" answer to this question--it is a very personal decision based on specific family situations. It is not necessary to wait for a grave to settle. A memorial can be ordered immediately after a death. Other families need more time to make this lasting and important decision, so they might wait until they can decide what the most appropriate memorial might be. Still others want to have their own arrangements made prior to their death so they won't burden their loved ones with these decisions. Purchasing a monument for yourself is very common these days...we see more and more people doing so.
How long does it take to complete a memorial?
The length of time necessary to complete your memorial depends on the type of memorial you choose, the color of granite that has been selected, the level of design work required, and the time of year that the order is placed. Our very specialized monuments and memorials can take up to six months to be completed, while our simplier markers are generally ready to be delivered to the cemetery within 90 days from the order date. In all cases, orders can only be set in a cemetery when weather permits. Most cemeteries do not pour foundations in the winter months, so a memorial ordered in the late Fall or Winter will be installed in the Spring.
Why should I buy a memorial in advance?
Many families choose to plan their own final arrangements. This allows them to make their own decisions on the style and type of memorial that they wish to have. In addition, it alleviates a burden on family members to make sometimes difficult decisions at the time of death.
What type of material should the memorial be made of?
Peter Troost Monument Company specializes in memorials made from the finest quality of granite or bronze. We have a wide variety of colors of granite to choose from. Some cemeteries only allow flat bronze memorials, and others that allow granite may have restrictions on its color or size. Any of our branch locations can assist you in determining your cemetery's requirements and restrictions, or call us at 800-564-8212.
Who installs the memorials?
Some cemeteries require that their personnel install the foundation for your memorial. There is usually a fee for this that is paid directly to the cemetery. We will deliver the memorial to the cemetery after the foundation has been poured and see that it is properly installed.
Do I need to purchase a memorial even if the body was cremated?
Because cremation does not limit the desire of a family to remember their loved one, we offer options called "Personal Touchstones". Personal Touchstones provide you many ways to remember your family member or friend who was cremated. In many instances, the individual is cremated and then buried in a grave site in a cemetery and a monument or marker (appropriate to the site and the person being honored) is designed. Some Personal Touchstone monuments and benches allow the remains to be sealed inside. Sometimes, a monument is erected in a cemetery even if the remains are scattered or are kept in an urn. When this type of Personal Touchstone is chosen, it gives those who remain a special place to go and remember. We often hear of families planting a tree in honor of a loved one. The appropriate Personal Touchstone in that case might be a plaque placed at the base of the tree. We provide a variety of plaque sizes and styles. Of course, we also offer decorative urns as Personal Touchstones. These are suitable for use in the home or for placement in a columbarium (a place in the cemetery dedicated for the placement of urns).
How long will the stone last?
Our memorials are made of granite and granite is a very hard stone that will last forever. At our manufacturing plant, we use a sandblast process for the design and lettering. It becomes a part of the granite and will also last indefinitely.
What is the difference between granite and marble?
The composition of granite and marble is very different. Granite is an igneous rock that was once a molten mass called magma. Marble is created by a concentration of bones and shells of sea creatures that built up a deposit of lime. Therefore, marble is not nearly as hard as granite and will erode over the years. Granite is the preferred material to use for memorials because of its durability.
How is the carving and design put on the stone?
Peter Troost Monument Company prides itself in our manufacturing process. Our main manufacturing plant is at our Hillside, Illinois facility. We employ skilled craftsmen that hand-carve special designs. Through various sandblast processes, your design is permanently engraved in your chosen color and style of stone. Our craftsmen can duplicate any existing design or create a new personalized design made especially for your family.
If I want a special design, can you do it?
We pride ourselves in our ability to personalize each and every memorial. When you sit down with one of our design specialists, they will help you design a very meaningful and personal memorial. We have thousands of design options to chose from, or we can accommodate your special requests.
Do you stand behind your work?
Peter Troost Monument Company guarantees the work we do for you. Please see our Unconditional Guaranteethat we offer for all of our products and services.
Should I use years only or month, day and year?
Sometimes this decision must be made based on the amount of space that is available on your memorial with your chosen design. If there is sufficient space, then you may be more specific with information, such as month, day, and year, to offer more detailed information on the memorial. In most cases, there is no additional charge for the more detailed inscription if it is chosen at the time of purchase of the memorial.
If I run into problems at the cemetery, who should I go to for help?
In most cases, individual cemeteries are responsible for pouring the foundation for their monuments and markers to be installed there. A separate fee is collected to cover this work. We then deliver the memorial to the cemetery and set it on the foundation they provide. If there are issues with the foundation work, we will be happy to work with you and the cemetery to resolve them.
Do all cemeteries allow the same type of memorial?
Cemeteries each have their own requirements for the size and type of memorials that they will allow. We will work with you to determine what is allowed at your cemetery and what will look best on your lot. Please call us at 800-564-8212 for answers to your questions regarding cemetery regulations.
Why should I buy a memorial from Peter Troost Monument Company instead of from the cemetery?
Peter Troost Monument Company specializes in making memorials. We have our own manufacturing plant and do our own work. We are experts in the field, having been in business since 1889. Please take the Virtual Tour of How a Memorial is Made to see a demonstration of our manufacturing process. While a cemetery may sell memorials as a sideline, it does not specialize in that product. We can provide the expertise to design an appropriate memorial for you, and we offer the most complete selection of designs and colors.
How much should I expect to pay for a memorial?
The cost of a memorial can vary significantly based on several factors. Our lawn level markers start at $400 and increase in price based on the design and color of granite that you choose. Monuments for one and two graves start at $1,300 and increase in price based on the style, size, design, and special features. Our mausoleums are very specialized, and start in price at $25,000. We encourage you to meet with one of our designers to discuss a memorial that will fit your needs and budget.
What is the difference between a hand etching and a laser etching?
Hand etchings are done by an artist who uses specialized diamond-tipped tools to create a series of tiny impressions directly in the black granite. These impressions will last forever and provide the maximum amount of clarity of an image. Laser etchings are done using a computer.
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"Thank you so much for your kindness and professionalism in working with me regarding the marker for my mother's grave in Montrose."
- E. C. Meyer
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