You’ve found a place to lay your loved one to rest, chosen a venue for the memorial service, and scheduled all the appropriate events to help friends and family grieve. Now, you’re faced with the prospect of choosing the best way to honor your loved one. For many families, monuments are the best option, but there’s more to choosing a stone or bronze marker than simply picking the best material and a meaningful inscription. Here are a few tips to help make selecting monuments for your loved one as simple as possible.

3 Tips for Picking a Monument to Honor a Loved One

1. Check With the Cemetery

Before speaking with a stone carver or browsing the available options, it’s important to discuss your plans with the cemetery. Some have rules and regulations in place that determine what can and cannot be used as a grave marker or headstone. Ask for a list of approved materials and styles from the cemetery manager and bring that list with you when consulting with a memorial craftsman. This way, you’ll avoid choosing something that’s in violation of the cemetery’s rules and regulations.

2. Examine Your Budget

While it’s important to create a marker that suits your loved one and honors their memory, it’s equally important to pick a memorial that fits your budget. Take a look at the estimated funeral costs, mortuary expenses, and the total funds set aside for the funeral. Pick a marker or headstone that fits what you can afford. If there was a specific type of memorial you had in mind, you can always ask other loved ones to contribute towards the purchase if you lack the funds on your own.

3. Consider Your Loved Ones’ Wishes

Many times, loved ones leave special requests for memorials or flat grave markers when planning for their funerals. Check their funeral pre-planning information to see if they indicated a preference. If not, use your best judgement. Think about what they would say to the options you’re considering. Did they ever make a remark about the type of memorial they wanted or share a particular quote they loved? Consider incorporating those preferences into the memorial.

If you’re looking for beautiful monuments to honor your loved one’s memory, let the team at McGee Monument Co., Inc in Morrilton, AR, help. Their experienced craftsmen will create a beautiful and long-lasting memorial that truly reflects your loved one and preserves their memory for decades to come. They believe that every family should be able to create a beautiful memorial for their loved one and have options to fit almost any budget. Learn more about their services online and call (800) 750-0177 to discuss your needs today.