Memorials are a valuable way to commemorate lost loved ones, creating a lasting symbol of your devotion. During a period of grief, these structures serve as a source of emotional comfort. Built to withstand the elements, timeless tombstones and monuments offer stone, shaping, and personalization options that showcase compassion for individuals whose legacies will always live on. Here’s a helpful guide to the most common stone types used in modern memorials.

3 Popular Stones for Memorials

1. Granite

Granite offers a distinctive beauty that has made it a fixture in cemeteries across the globe. Its gorgeous array of color options includes shades of pink, blue, and gray, and it is widely recognized for its durability. Since each quarry has its own characteristics, granite memorials also benefit from unique color combinations, patterns, and varieties within the stone itself. 

2. Marble

Used in skillfully carved tombstones, monuments, and mausoleums, this stone lends a pure beauty to every type of memorial. It has been popular since the Renaissance, where artists created lustrous structures in whites and light grays, giving a clarity to every piece. Since it’s a softer stone, marble is easy to carve with letters, names, and pictures, which makes the customization options truly endless.

3. Sandstone

Soft and easy to sculpt into unique shapes, sandstone is seen in colors ranging from whites to yellows, reds, and grays. The sedimentary rock is crafted from small minerals and rock grains, which lend it these unique, colorful qualities. It’s common in historic cemeteries throughout the country, and older structures are carved with pictures of loved ones, names, and dates. Today, this stone remains popular with diverse colors, shapes, and carvings.

Based in Morrilton, AR, McGee Monument offers a range of timeless, custom memorials to help your loved one’s legacy live on. With over a century of carving experience, these professionals provide personalization through shaping, etching, and color. Whether you prefer flat grave markers or full-scale, family monuments, they’ll create memorials that reveal your loved ones’ most special traits. Visit the website to learn more about their beautiful, handcrafted options or call (800) 750-0177.