 I like bronze! I also like the beauty of
granite! Unfortunately, for too many folks, there is a lack of imagination as to how the
two can be used together. As a memorialist, our purpose is to tell the story of a life,
and it is no secret to anyone who knows me well that I am disappointed by the absence of
storytelling that pervades the monument profession, and our cemeteries. I am here to
suggest one technique to change this woeful practice.
Bronze and granite work well together. Both have their strengths, and weaknesses, as
communication tools. Small letters, less than 2 inches, do not work well on granite or
marble without the use of lithichrome. While our industry loves lithichrome, centuries,
perhaps decades, possibly just years, from now, our successors may judge us harshly for
the temporal value that lithichrome presents as a facilitator of communication.
I know lithichrome fills the lettering and makes small letters visible when sandblasted
into granite. But, how long will it last? It is our ethical obligation to do our best to
inform our clients (and that is what they are) of the strengths and weaknesses of the
resources at our disposal. A doctor or lawyer would refer to this as “informed
consent.”
Bronze, or marble, has a lasting beauty that works very well with granite. The patina of a
dark bronze, with raised lettering, is a sight that amazes me. I have observed a poem that
told the story of a life mounted to the back of an upright monument (referred to as a die
within the industry). One monument had “A Farmer’s Vow” in bronze behind
his monument.
His wife’s companion marker had “A Mother Is Someone Special” with a
quotation from Proverbs 15:1. This is one approach that communicates for the ages some of
the qualities of a life lived. These resources provide good wisdom for current and future
generations that informs the reader about the life of the person. When preplanning is
involved, there is an opportunity for a personal communication to others.
We recommend that our clients tell their personal story, and when the story is long,
bronze is the perfect medium for telling the story as it allows for creative designs and
smaller, legible lettering, that is clear for readability.
So, what would you use for a bronze? The opportunities are endless. Recently, we created a
24 x 30 inch bronze from a Senate Resolution, and two others of similar size, one from a
big city mayor, and another proclamation from a County Board of Supervisors. Each of these
awards possesses beautiful ornamentation that was captured in bronze. Truly, the ability
of bronze to capture small deals is quite spectacular.
Certificates of Appreciation, Letter of Commendation, Retirement Plaques, Boy Scout Eagle
Scout Award, poems, religious verses, military ribbons, pictures, instructions for family,
visitors and future generations, or an edited story of the person’s life, or anything
else that gives you and your family satisfaction. One service that we provide our clients
is the service of one of our editors to help tell their story. Every monument represents
the life of a person, and also the reputation of the monument builder. Unfortunately, not
all monument builders are memorialists.
Just as we recommend for porcelain photographs, bronzes can be set flush with the face of
the granite, and this is my preference.
Graveyards do not need to be the great equalizer with row after row of boring monuments
that only provide meaning to those who actually know the story of the life of the
deceased. When a person gives a lot to others, it seems disrespectful that their story
would not be told as a lasting legacy. Isn’t it a shame for the story of a life to
die with that life? Tell the story; be a memorialist!
Bronze Monuments can also be viewed by clicking here
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