It is common to see a slab or “ledger” in front of graves. Often,
very little thought is given to the opportunity to memorialize the life of the deceased
and their family as part of the grieving process.
A rounded or tapered edge often improves the appearance of the ledger. Commonly, the sides
of a ledger are balance rock pitched (chipped), though I like sawn edges better. Even
better, I like a polished margin around the top edge of the ledger.
If the ledger and the base of the monument are going to butt together, then both the base
and the ledger will be sewn on the side where they will touch. A sawn edge is smoother
than a rock pitched edge that is sculpted with a chisel and hammer to create a rough
appearance. If the balanced rock pitch style is used on all four sides of the base, or the
ledger, the two parts will not fit tightly together, allowing for an imperfect look that
allows grass to grow in between the base of the memorial and the ledger.
Photographs, military symbols, handprints, Masonic emblems, Bible verses, and the like may
be engraved into the ledger. You are only limited by the size of the ledger, the size of
the lettering, your imagination, and your pocketbook.
One memorial that I saw recently had ledger engravings of the handprints of two young
children who had lost their father at an early age. This was a touching idea that involved
the children in the memorialization of their father and forever captured the youth of the
children, at the time of their father’s passing.
Normally, 1-½ to 2- inch letters is the minimum size lettering for a monument base. If a
bronze overlay is used over the ledger, then smaller lettering can be used. Bronze creates
a beautiful memorial for your loved one. I especially like a raised portrait in bronze.
It is common to see a slab or “ledger” in front of graves. Often,
very little thought is given to the opportunity to memorialize the life of the deceased
and their family as part of the grieving process.