Official contractors for West Point Military Academy.
If you can't make a physical appointment, we now offer Zoom Meetings to help you make a monument!
Phone: (914) 234-6987 Email: cj@cjstones.com
Fax: (914) 234-0315 | Address: P. O. Box 589 Bedford Village, NY 10506
4 Tips to Choosing the Right Monument Type in 2025
Introducing the CJ Stones Blog! My name is Steven, I currently work for CJ Stones as their Graphic Designer/Web Designer. We are currently a smaller business, so I have the opportunity to speak with many of our clients and help them with designing a memorial that honors their loved ones. My supervisor and owner of the business CJ has given me a lot of insight into not only the monument industry but the funeral industry. He has over 30 years of experience in these industries and has worked in many different facets of these industries. With this blog, I will not only be speaking from my experience, but I will also be tapping into CJ’s knowledge base too, to make sure the information shared is trustworthy. We will be writing all information in the case that the monuments are going into a cemetery of some sort.
But that is enough of introductions, you came for information. And that is what we’re bringing.
I’d like to assume that those who are reading these articles are someone who may be in need of a new monument at a cemetery. First, I would like to express our sincerest condolences if you have lost a loved one. It is a very tough time to go through, which is the reason we are writing articles like this to help you with this part of the process.
Secondly, it is hard to choose a monument. You want to honor the memory of your dear loved one and we know that you want to do it right. So here are some tips to help you choose the right monument type. This is just the beginning of the process.
Look around at Others' Stones
A lot of the time, we are so overwhelmed with the whole situation, we can’t even think straight let alone come up with ideas for a monument/memorial. In my personal experience, a lot of people we have worked with have felt this way. When you walk into a cemetery, there are so many different types of monuments and styles. Sometimes for us, it is easier not to start from scratch but to work from something that is already finished. In fact, I can say that approximately 80% of the monuments we manufacture have been based on another stone rather than making one completely from scratch.
Ok so do we just walk around a cemetery for hours looking at stones? Well, that is one way people do it, but a way that is far less time-consuming would be to search the internet. There are so many examples you can take a look at to see what style you’d appreciate for your loved one. Monument companies usually have a website that showcases the monuments they have manufactured which can help you get ideas. One example would be CJ Stones! They have a large array of monuments that they have done, and photos are available on their website for you to see.
Knowing the Monument Types
Although headstones may seem simple, they can get a little complicated. There are many different types of monuments that you can have on a grave. On our website cjstones.com, you can look at the Monument Selection Guide at the top right corner. It goes into more detail about the monument terminology and what it means. But here is a list of the popular types of monuments you will see at a cemetery:
- Single Upright Headstone
- Double Upright Headstone
- Slant Marker
- Hickey Marker
- Flush Marker
- Bronze Marker
- Natural Stones
- Granite Benches
- Mausoleum
- Columbarium
Yup, I didn’t think there were that many types of monuments either at first. But I want to re-iterate that all of these types can sufficiently honor someone. Don’t feel that any certain one is better than the other because just like people, each stone type is unique and has its own distinct charm. This will help you when you’re searching for ideas on the internet because you can be more specific to a type of stone you like. And this will also help you when you try out the next tip.
Talk to A Professional
There is no reason for you to handle this difficult process alone. Monument companies are happy to speak with you and answer your questions. They have a lot of insight into the process of making a stone, what style would look good and many other things that are associated with designing a monument.
We here at CJ Stones are all multi-faceted so everyone here is equipped to answer the questions you will have about making a headstone for your loved one.
Another reason you should speak to a professional is because there are regulations that cemeteries have, and all cemeteries have different regulations. It is the monument companies’ job to manage this so that you can create a monument that you feel is satisfactory and still meets the regulations of the cemetery.
If you’re having trouble figuring out what type of stone to make, call a monument dealer. You’re going to have to call them anyway to make the stone so why not take advantage of all the resources they provide and ask them a few questions to start brainstorming. Not only will they help you design your stone, but they will also help you in regard to our next tip.
Budget Carefully
This is such an important part because you need to know what to expect in terms of pricing on a stone in order to choose the right type. This is why consulting a professional is always good.
In this day and age, not many of us are making a ton of money so we need to save where we can. And it is definitely possible to create a beautiful monument without spending a monumental (See what I did there) amount of money. Of all the types of monuments, here is a short list of the most economical options.
- Flush Marker
- Hickey Marker
- Slant Marker
- Natural Stone
- Single Grave Upright Headstone
Depending on where you are, the price of a stone can fluctuate but these 5 types of stones tend to be nicest to the wallet.
I would also like to clear up a misconception. People believe that cheaper means lower quality. Which in a lot of cases is true. But when it comes to stones, the quality doesn’t drop. All the stones are made of granite (except Natural Stones). The prices fluctuate due to availability and the amount of work that goes into creating the stone. You will get much more information on this when you consult a professional.
Conclusion
There you have it, 4 Tips that will help you Choose the Right Monument Type in 2025. We hope that these tips are a big help to you and your family when getting a monument made for your loved one. There is more to getting a monument, but we wanted to try to keep things as simple as possible.
Choosing the right monument for your loved one is a heartfelt journey that combines personal reflection with practical considerations. By looking at others’ stones, knowing your monument options, working with professionals and budgeting carefully, you can create a meaningful and lasting tribute. Remember, the most important aspect is to honor and celebrate the unique life of your loved one.
Please feel free to reach out to us to let us know if these tips were helpful to you.