The following commonly-asked questions are provided for consumers, but should also be helpful for retailers interested in learning more about our unique, natural monuments:

What type of material are the monuments made from?  How much do they weigh?
Our monuments are crafted from a minimum of one-inch thick reinforced concrete (GFRC) replicated rock and are hollow and open at the bottom. Their rugged, natural beauty is surpassed only by their strength.

Large enough at 60-110 pounds to be considered a true "monument," yet small enough to be relocated elsewhere if necessary (with the exception of the much heavier "Estate Size" Monuments), each model is manufactured to withstand 9,000psi (pounds per sq. inch) of pressure and freeze-thaw conditions to make for a lasting memorial for future generations.

How durable are the monuments over time?
The monuments are so similar to natural rock that you can expect them to wear in the same way. In fact, over the months and years they actually will take on an even more natural appearance with the benefit of the elements (i.e., sun, rain, snow). A national expert in the restoration of monuments made from marble, granite and other traditional materials has estimated reinforced concrete monuments such as these will last 100-150 years before requiring any restoration work (the same amount of time that applies to material such as marble and granite monuments).

What's the difference between a Memorial and Personal Monument?
Our Memorial Monuments are manufactured with an internal moisture-proof, 240 cubic-inch urn, easily accessed and hand-tightened from underneath to add the satchel of ashes or cremated remains (also called cremains) in the privacy of one's home (simple instructions are included with each monument shipped).

The slightly lower-priced Personal Monuments (without an internal cremains urn) can fittingly memorialize at home someone who has had a traditional funeral, but is buried at a cemetery too distant to visit frequently.  These monuments are also popular with surviving family or friends whose loved ones have been cremated, but whose ashes have been scattered on land or at sea.  In addition, depending on a chosen cemetery's policies regarding above-ground memorials, a personal monument can be an attractive and more natural alternative to a headstone.

What colors can the monuments be ordered in?
All our Memorial and Personal Monuments are professionally hand-colored by a team of artisans and can be ordered in sandstone or gray-brown (especially popular in Midwest and East Coast regions of the United States).  Our "Estate Size" Monuments are available in sandstone, gray-brown and light granite.

These acid-stained colors are 1/8" deep, but can be scratched if done with force.  If you notice any scratches in your monument after it arrives or after unpacking or placing it in your landscaping, a touch-up kit with a special glaze and instructions is included with each model shipped.  Remember, real stone has many imperfections.  Minor scratches in your monument from unpacking or installing it will likely not be noticed, especially over a period of time after the natural elements (sun, rain, wind) lend their own unique weathering to it.

Do the monument prices include a bronze plaque?
Yes, they do!  With the exception of the "Estate Size" Monuments designed for larger plaques, all Memorial and Personal Monuments include a handsome custom bronze plaque (sized 3 1/2" x 7 1/4") which features your choice of up to six lines of text with as many as 43 characters each.  Once the plaque is received from our bronze foundry, it is pre-installed on the monument before being shipped to its final destination.

How many words can I put on my bronze plaque?
Each 3 1/2" x 7 1/4" bronze plaque will accept a maximum of six lines  (typically a name, date of birth-death, and special verse or quote).  Although six lines are available, it's not necessary to use all lines if you prefer to have less text appear on the plaque.

The maximum number of characters per line is 43 (each letter, number, space and punctuation is a character that should be counted in this per-line total).  Remember, the more characters you want included on each line, the more the individual characters must be reduced in size for the final layout.

Depending on how you order one of our monuments, you have the option of sending it using our online order form, submitting it by e-mail or by typing or clearly printing the final text you'd like to see on your plaque on a separate sheet of paper and faxing or mailing it to us for immediate processing.

Can I purchase a larger bronze plaque than the standard size?
Yes, but keep in mind that there is a limited amount of space for larger plaques on all our  monuments.  Our staff will be able to help you choose the monument that has the appropriate amount of space for your plaque depending on its final size (usually as determined by the amount of text on the plaque).

We will provide you with the additional cost for a larger plaque once we review the desired text and determine the plaque size needed.

Our much larger "Estate Size" Monuments are ideal for oversize plaques popular with community organizations, civic clubs and corporations to recognize, honor or celebrate significant events or the lives of special individuals or groups.  Just as realistic, but easier to place than heavy natural boulders that require expensive equipment to install them, "Estate Size" Monuments can be shipped anywhere and provide an attractive accent to any landscape when placed outdoors in a community plaza, a public park, in front of a landmark or corporate office, or at a cemetery or cremation garden.

Can I proof my bronze plaque before it is cast?
Yes, you can!  If you would like to see a proof of the text for your bronze plaque before it is made, make your request clearly known at the time of ordering so it can be e-mailed or faxed for your approval prior to being sent to our bronze foundry for casting.

Disclaimer regarding text for your bronze plaque!
We are not responsible or liable in any way for misspellings or errors in fact contained in the information submitted by our customers.  Most importantly, we reserve the right to determine the style, size, capitalization and layout of the text you provide according to the plaque space available to ensure the most professional appearance possible.

Can I order a monument with a companion or double-sized urn?
Yes, you can!  There is an additional charge to have the internal moisture-proof, 240 cubic-inch urn extended to accommodate two sets of cremated remains.  If ordered this way, the additional length of the double urn will extend below the monument itself which will require some excavation of the soil so the urn can fit partially below ground level.

A customer ordering a companion or double-sized urn will often require a larger bronze plaque with more space than our standard 3 1/2" x 7 1/4" plaque for the additional names, verse, etc.  If this is the case with you, please ask our order desk staff to provide a quote for the additional charge for the larger plaque.

There is a limited amount of space for larger plaques on each monument.  Our staff will be able to help you choose the monument that has the appropriate amount of space for your plaque depending on its final size (usually as determined by the amount of text on the plaque).  Our staff can also assist in explaining the different options available for writing the text depending on whether one, both or none of the individuals named on the plaque are still living.

How long will it take to receive my monument?
Once we receive your order, please allow 4-5 weeks for production and pre-installation of the bronze plaque and shipment of the monument to its final destination via FedEx Ground or UPS.

Can I get my monument sooner?
Occasionally a customer will request that their monument be present for a special gathering or ceremony before the 4-5 weeks it normally takes to receive an order, cast and install the bronze plaque, and ship it to its final destination.  It is possible for us to ship a monument so a customer receives it as early as 5-8 days from submitting an order, but the plaque will not arrive from us until 4-5 weeks later with an epoxy adhesive and instructions on how to use it to permanently affix the plaque.  (Note--Please ask our order desk staff about the additional charge for the adhesive and extra shipping costs if ordered this way).

How are the monuments shipped?  How do I unpack one?
With the exception of the larger "Estate Size" models which are shipped on pallets via common carrier, all monuments are carefully packaged in 350-lb. test double-wall corrugated boxes using an industrial foam-in-place system to protect them during shipping.  They are then shipped via FedEx Ground or UPS (which usually do not require that someone be home to sign for the package).

If you are home at the time of delivery, it is your responsibility to check for damage before signing for or accepting your monument in the unlikely event something happened to it during shipping. The "foam" can be removed by breaking or carefully cutting it away from the monument piece-by-piece and disposing it.

Touch-up glaze will be taped to the inside flap of your package to use should any scratches occur during unpacking or installing your monument.  If you ordered a monument with an internal urn for cremated remains, remember to look for it sticking up from the packaging foam where it has been wrapped and placed for you to find and hand-tighten into the monument according to the instructions provided.

How do I install or place the monument once it arrives?
Follow the directions below if you are ordering a Memorial Monument with an internal cremation urn and want to install your loved one's ashes, or cremated remains (cremains), inside it:

• Before installing the ashes or cremains, be sure to place your monument on a soft surface such as carpet, grass lawn, towels or sofa so the monument's surface won't get scratched. Please remember, the manufacturer is not responsible for any damage caused to your monument while you unpack or install it.

• Carefully and gently turn the monument over so you can access the urn container underneath. 

• As added protection against moisture, remove the Teflon Threaded Seal Tape (shipped with each monument) from its packaging and wrap the tape five times in a clockwise direction over itself on the threads located at the bottom of the cremation urn.

• Place the cremains inside the urn and then hand-tighten the white cap snugly onto the end.  Depending on the model you've chosen, the white cap might extend slightly out from the bottom of the monument once it's screwed on.  If this is the case, simply burrow a small 3"-4" hole underneath the urn in the area where you plan to place your monument so that the urn easily rests inside it.

How can I prevent theft of the monument?
Especially with the realism of the boulders, it's doubtful anyone would think of removing what appears to be a 800 lb. natural rock.  However, if you are still concerned about theft of your monument, purchase an inexpensive key or combination lock and three-foot-long chain from a local hardware or home improvement store.  Lock one end of the chain onto the heavy metal eyelet manufactured underneath each monument and then dig a hole directly below where the monument will be placed, fill it with a "just-add-water" brand of quick-drying cement, and push as much of the chain into the cement where it can dry and serve as an anchor.

Do the monuments require special care?
The replicated rock monuments are made to last outdoors in your garden or landscaping for generations to come without any special maintenance or care.

Is there a manufacturer's product guarantee?
We offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for the lifetime of our monuments if our craftsmanship is found to be defective in any way (with the exception of naturally-occurring adjustments in color).  Customers who contact us directly with a valid defective craftsmanship claim will receive an immediate replacement from the manufacturer with an identical product once the monument is returned.