My pet friends have given me great satisfaction during my life. Unlike my human friends, my animal friends were always there for me. They were with me when the whole world seemed to have abandoned me! A lot of folks feel the same way I do about animals, and more and more folks are memorializing their pets in honor of their contributions to our lives.
We have now lost nearly 2,000 young men and women in Iraq, and a moment of reflection to thank those heroic folks and their families for their sacrifices seems appropriate. To all of my Marine buddies out there, and to the Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors, know that you are in our hearts and prayers.
A molding is an ornamental or decorative strip mainly used for ornamentation. Moldings are also used as finishing or combinations of members on memorials that are used on markers, monuments, or bases. The horizontal monument shown is called the "Winship" and is found on page 128 of McNeel's "The Greatest Name in Stonecraft."
I have always liked to work with a theme in my artwork. During my lifetime, I have employed various themes in decorating my homes, ranging from Asian to poor college student. (Smile) Another way to find your theme in your household, your garden, or elsewhere is to understand your niche or your style. Have you been in a space (A home? A garden? A particular room?) that puts you at ease? That space fits your style.
One of our prospects contacted us after speaking with another monument builder who, according to the caller, spoke a language that was "over my head." This is understandable, but not excusable, as it is the responsibility of the monument builder to speak at a level that the client can understand. We have all had professionals such as doctors and lawyers who communicated badly by using alien terms, as if we had all been to medical or law school.
The memorial for the Broadnax family is not the largest memorial in Historic Elmwood Cemetery, by far; however, it is a good example to show multiple features that might be used as you plan your own memorial.
Many families are choosing cremation as an alternative to traditional burials. This choice adds a different dimension to the decisions one will have to make concerning preparations and place of rest. Here are a few of my thoughts on what you should take into consideration:
I have done many things in my life that I have enjoyed. I have farmed, taught for
numerous colleges and universities, practiced law, and gave of myself to community
service.
Close your eyes for a moment. Do you remember that serene moment when the sun basked against your skin? Do you remember the sounds that filled the air? Leaves moving with the wind brushing against the air. Squirrels at play. Perhaps a crow or a mocking bird or blue jay announcing their presence. How about the feeling of the sun and the wind against your skin? Can you hear the sounds of the surf, and smell the salty air? These are all memories.
The Georgia Monument Builders Association is offering free assistance with pre-need writing and editing of obituaries for the terminally ill and hospice patients. This complimentary service may be obtained through the Georgia Monument Builders Association web site at www.GAMonumentBuilders.com.
Historians, sociologists, and anthropologists have common characteristics as each relies on the services of memorialists to give understanding to those fields of scholarship.
On numerous occasions, I have written on the importance of making preneed decisions and purchases that reflect your values and your desires both before and after death.
By now, my readers have learned a bit of the terminology relating to monument building and memorialization. Today, I write a bit more regarding the surface treatments available, but this time for tile.
During my lifetime, I have done some things I am proud of, and some things I am not so proud of; like everyone, my life has had highs and lows. Looking back, I regret the final steps I took with the remains of my Himalayan cat, Princess, and my Siamese cat, Charlie.
McNeel's, "The Greatest Name In Stonecraft," has a section called "Soldier Monuments." On page 287, there is a soldier monument titled "Hill Hallihan," that I will call "Hallihan". I have not yet learned whether the water-color portraits in McNeel's classic treatise were for actual persons killed or were merely samples for display purposes.
I continue to hear the term "Potter's Field." Can you explain what that means?
Answer:
This is a sensitive issue and one that the Memorial Doctor will attempt to finesse. "Potter's Field" is a term used for locations in cemeteries where the indigent, or people who are either unknown or without financial resources, are buried. The term comes from Matthew 27:7, found below in the King James Version of the Bible.
It should come as no surprise to anyone to learn that not all porcelain photographs are the same. Whether raised, flat, oval, circular, square, black and white or color, we provide our clients with a lot of options.
A friend of mine has his own granite importation company. He is a chemical engineer by training. After writing my column, I submitted my article to Pradeep Satyaprakash for review. Pradeep responded:
Recently, I had a discussion with Pradeep Satyaprakash, a wholesale granite importer with whom we work, regarding the different colors of granite, and the significance for the monument industry. As usual, Pradeep provided an informed response.
Recently, I directed a question to my friend, Pradeep Satyaprakash, a wholesale importer, regarding the pricing of monuments. Pradeep is a major wholesale importer of granite from India. I asked Pradeep, "If I come to you a month from now, are these prices going to still be the same?"
As part of our ongoing training of our sales staff, I reviewed the Elberton Granite Association (EGA)'s Monument Selling Techniques. As with any business concept, any organization that is going to thrive must conduct internal training of its staff.
While enrolled in a "Designing for Success" course hosted by the Elberton Granite Institute, I took the opportunity to photograph some of the more interesting memorials in Elmhurst Cemetery, located in Elberton, Georgia.
Question: What is the difference between a sarcophagus and a monolith? Are they the same thing? Thanks for your informative articles on memorialization.
Answer: Thank you for your kind words. A sarcophagus and a monolith are similar in that both may be rather sizeable in width, however, that is where the similarities end. The sarcophagus may use multiple bases, while the monolith does not use a base.
Question: Some folks are saying they want a memorial service when they die instead of a funeral. I thought a funeral was a memorial service. What is the difference?
Answer: A funeral service is a ceremony that occurs with the body of the deceased present. A memorial service is a ceremony honoring the deceased without the body present.
The combination of polished and steeled finishes is very attractive on the McNeel's horizontal monument, the Krueger, and is found on page 83 of McNeel's "The Greatest Name in Stonecraft." This monument appeals to me.
I like mausoleums a lot. Before I decided to be cremated, I had insisted on being buried in a mausoleum. As with all monument and memorial products, there are many shapes, styles, and designs to choose from. Mausoleums are built as singles, doubles, and triples and are upwards in size.
While touring an exhibit at the University of Southern California's California Science Center, I observed the use of carved red stone tiles inserted into patterns interspersed throughout the concrete. Los Angeles may have the Hollywood Walk of Fame honoring exceptional performers, but the California Science Center also has an obvious theme promoting science projects.
One of our clients desired a memorial with a butterfly design to celebrate the life of his beautiful daughter who passed away as a young college student. Using advanced technology, we were able to present numerous butterfly-themed designs that appealed to a grieving parent.
As I have mentioned before, using multiple bases in the monuments that I design adds beauty to a memorial in a way that moves the ordinary to the extraordinary.
Our client spoke up expressing adamantly, and offering little room for discussion, "We want China Black." 'Oh boy,' I thought, 'this person has been listening to monument builders who are using generic terms to describe granite.'
Historic Elmwood Cemetery, established in 1852, is one of my favorite cemeteries. I had the delightful opportunity to spend a few hours in the beautiful Memphis, Tennessee cemetery on January 30, 2005, while in town for a conference for monument builders.
I have noticed in some cemeteries that there are large memorials, frequently with steps, that display religious symbols. Can you write about this topic?
Answer:
I call 'large memorials,' as you describe them, 'centerpiece memorials,' as they serve as a major focal point for sections, and they are used particularly within large cemeteries.
When I first started studying monument terminology, the terms were flowing out of my ears like a foreign language. Monument builders definitely use a foreign language that is not familiar to everyone, so here is another review.
In monuments that I design, I like the use of multiple bases. This underused resource adds beauty to a memorial in a way that moves the ordinary to the extraordinary.
I was in the cemetery, and I observed a slope on a base that I liked. I have been looking at monuments and talking to monument dealers, and I stopped in one of those places that claim to have the "largest display," but your online selection far exceeds their offerings. I enjoy your website and your articles, so can you write more on the subject of bases?
Answer:
Dear Reader, I know exactly how you feel. The most common base in the cemetery is the polished flat top with balance rock pitch sides. This is also my least favorite style, as it is lacking in both creativity and harmony.
The tragedy of unmarked graves.yes, it is a tragedy to leave the resting place of a loved one unmarked. Worst of all, it is a needless tragedy, in a time when beautiful granite memorials may be acquired at prices you can afford.
Every industry has its trends, that is, the direction in which it is moving. The monument builders or memorial industry is no different. A few of the trends are outlined below.
I think it is always good to say "Thank you" to my clients for their business, for they are the reason we are successful in business. Too many businesses think the customer is there to serve their needs, when it is the customer who decides whether our business succeeds or fails. Our sole purpose in business is to serve our customers for a profit.
Earlier this year, I attended an advanced design course in Elberton, Georgia. I learned a great many creative ideas and met some of the most talented designers in the industry. It was an honor to make their acquaintance.
Without a doubt, two of the most interesting designs are the scalloped border and the shell rock border. The photo with this article shows the West Memorial, photographed in the Greenview or Crestview Cemeteries in Cairo, Georgia. The monument has a shell-rock border.
I received a knock on the door on a recent Sunday afternoon. I almost did not answer, figuring it was someone either knocking to encourage me to vote in the upcoming election, which I try to do consistently, or someone was going to try to sell me something. So, reluctantly, I opened the door. There stood a woman I had met before informing me that her young niece had died from cancer that morning, after a courageous battle fighting the disease.
I like the Peavy Memorial that honors Magnus DeLacey Peavy, Jr. (b. July 14, 1921) and Virginia Skipper Peavy (b. May 7, 1922, d. Jan. 13, 1988), not so much because I think it is perfect; it is not. But because the family attempted to use a variety of styles that were other than typical.
Previously, I wrote an article that demonstrated the shell-rock border as used by the West Family. This article is dedicated to explaining the scalloped border as used by the family of Wayne Miller, located in the Greenview or Crestview Cemeteries, contiguously in Cairo, Georgia.
My business is about memorialization, and this is more than just monument building. One of our many products that we offer our clients involves oil paintings.
Preneed decision making is essential, and the honorable, loving thing to do. After burial, the only options are to either accept the rules, or to incur the expense and anguish of disinterment and relocation to either a different part of the cemetery, or to a new cemetery all together.
Laser etchings are changing the appearance of monuments in ways that are revolutionizing the industry. Recently we were retained to design a memorial for the Barch family. A laser etching was used to create the font for the memorial. Though only the surface of the granite is scratched by the laser, we know you will find the results to be impressive.
I have stated before that our "business is about memorialization, and this is more than just monument building." We sell engraved rock, oil paintings, porcelain family history plaques, porcelain photos, solar crosses, solar angels, engraved rock, and an assortment of memorial products.
My best friend in life is Emi, pronounced "Amy," Takeuchi. The following is a Family History Plaque that we manufactured for a preneed memorial for Emi and myself. Hundreds or even thousands of years from now, this porcelain plaque will remain as a testament to Emi's life and my love for her. We encourage all of our clients to allow us to tell their life story. After all, every memorial should capture the essence of a life.
I often receive emails with the first line in the email asking something like, "How much is the X, Y, Z monuments on your website?" That question is an excellent starting point, and it is also good that the prospective client has contacted a well-educated professional who has more than two decades of teaching experience.
