Monuments

Monuments can come in an unlimited number of shapes, sizes, and colors. Visit your local cemetery and you will see that no two stones are exactly alike. While the choices you have may seem overwhelming at first, our granite consultants can guide you through the monument design process and help you create the prefect memorial for you or your loved one. Star Granite Company has been designing monuments since its inception in 1951. We have designed monuments from small markers to elaborate memorials and everything in between. No design is too large or too small. Our goal is to memorialize you or your loved one properly with an artistic and elegant monument.

Most monuments can be categorized as one of three styles: traditional die and base, slant marker, or grass marker. Cemetery lots may also me marked with corner posts. To simplify the monument design process, all three styles of monuments as well as corner posts will be discussed further.

Traditional Die and Base

The traditional monument consists of an upright die set on a base which is slightly larger than the die. Bases and dies can come in several granite colors. Different quarries around the world have their own unique colors and distribute their granite all over the world. The raw granite stock is cut to the dimensions requested and finished with the appropriate finish. While any monument face can come in several different finishes, typically a monument will have a polished front and back and rock pitched top and sides.

After the size, shape, color, and finish is selected, you now have your choice of carvings, lettering, emblems, etchings, etc. The family name is generally sandblasted on the front face of the monument with names, birth, and death dates on the back of the monument face. Emblems, crosses, panels, and carvings finish off the monument.

For a more detailed description of monument design, please visit our granite monument design tutorial to help take you through the design process step by step.

Slant Markers

A slant marker has a beveled front and is set either directly on the foundation or on a base. Just like a traditional die and base, slant markers can come in any size and several different colors. Slant markers are common if the back of the cemetery lot is against a fence or is inaccessible. On a slant marker, both the family name and individual inscriptions are generally sandblasted on the front face.

Any unique carvings, emblems, etc are also available for slant markers. Keep in mind that a slant marker generally has less space than a traditional die and base. It is best to work with one of our granite consultants to ensure your design will properly fit on your selected slant marker.

Grass Markers

A grass marker is set in the ground at the foot of a grave identifying the deceased's birth and death dates as well as any other personal inscriptions. A cemetery lot will generally have several grass markers, one for each plot. In addition to having the deceased's name on the main monument, a grass marker details which plot the deceased occupies.

A grass marker also provides a way of personalizing a monument for each member of the family by including a saying or emblem specific to that family member.

Corner Posts

Corner posts are normally lettered with the family initial and mark the four corners of a cemetery lot. Posts can match the color of the main monument or markers or can be of a different color.