Five Factors Affecting the Cost of a Headstone

22 Jul.,2024

 

Five Factors Affecting the Cost of a Headstone

Losing a loved one is hard enough without having to also deal with funeral preparations. One of the most important of those preparations is choosing a headstone. Custom headstone prices vary significantly depending on a variety of factors. To help simplify and clarify the selection process for you, our memorial design team will examine a few key factors below.

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Things That Affect Headstone Prices in Littleton

Headstones for graves can range in price from several hundred to several thousand dollars and more in some cases. There are a multitude of factors that affect what people ultimately pay for a grave marker with the following being the most common:

Headstone Size

Regardless of whether you choose granite or marble the larger the headstone the more it is going to cost in almost every instance. If you have budgeted a specific amount for a gravestone you will need to be mindful of this. Keep in mind too that tombstones that memorialize a couple or a family are almost always larger than a single memorial, meaning they are going to be more expensive.

Whether you choose a flat or upright memorial is also going to weigh on the cost. Typically, flat headstones will cost less than their upright counterparts and are a good option if you are on a fixed budget. Benches are another popular option and their cost can vary widely. The size of the bench, the amount of engraving and other features incorporated into the bench as well as the material chosen (more on that in a moment) will all influence the ultimate cost.

Headstone Material

Granite and marble headstones are the two most popular memorial choices for a number of reasons, but mostly because they are traditional and durable. Of the two granite is the harder stone, meaning any lettering or graphics etched into the surface will hold up better to the onslaught of nature than will lettering and graphics etched into marble. Be aware too that there are &#;grades&#; of granite, and the higher the grade the higher the cost.

All that said, many people choose marble memorials anyway for marble&#;s understated and timeless beauty. Ultimately, it is completely up to the client. However, you should be aware that, even though it is the softer of the two most common gravestone materials, marble is the more expensive choice. Also, if you wish to add something like a bronze plaque to the memorial, that too will increase the price.

Level of Memorial Customization

There was a time when grave markers in frontier territories such as Colorado were uniformly simple, displaying only the person&#;s name and their birth and death dates. These days that is no longer the case. A stroll through any local graveyard today reveals a wealth of variety when it comes to monuments. But with customization comes higher tombstone prices. As is the case with size, when it comes to extras more equals higher costs.

Also, keep in mind that it may be necessary to increase the overall size of the headstone in order to accommodate the various custom features you desire. So adding portraits, artwork, long quotes, lines of poetry, epitaphs, porcelain portraits and more are all going to impact the ultimate cost. The bottom line; if you want to rein in costs, reign in the customization. Conversely, if money is no object then you can customize the memorial to your heart&#;s content.

Degree of Craftsmanship

The higher the degree of craftsmanship the higher the cost. This is just as true for tailored suits, automobiles, and furniture as it is for headstones. The people who craft these lasting tributes are highly-trained, highly-skilled artisans and the more they are involved in the process the more the monument is ultimately going to cost.

When selecting a memorial for a loved one save yourself time and trouble by being mindful of the fact that every touch or flourish that deviates from the standard is going to require the involvement of a tradesperson and that is going to bump up the price. If keeping costs under control is a primary concern just remember that the best way to do that is to select a standard gravestone that requires nothing more than the engraving of the name and date.

Distance to the Gravesite

Our prices typically include installation of the headstone. At the same time, we field many inquiries from families in Aurora, Denver and even further afield. While we are always happy to accommodate customers from different parts of the state, the travel time involved will have an impact on the final cost of the gravestone. Also, if the headstone requires the installation of a base, that will impact the price.

To Learn More, Contact Mile High&#;s Memorial Designers

Choosing a proper headstone when the pain of loss is still fresh can be a difficult process. If you need help get in touch with one of our design specialists. They will answer any questions you may have and address any concerns.

Be mindful too that gravestones do not have to be prohibitively expensive. So if you are on a fixed budget we will work with you to select a headstone that meets your financial requirements while beautifully expressing your love and admiration for those who have been lost.

People trust the team at Mile High Memorials to provide the highest quality gravestones and we strive every day to earn that trust. Call our memorial designers today at 303-794-. Or, if you prefer, you can fax us at 303-794-.

Marble vs Granite Headstones - Which is better?

Marble vs Granite Headstone - Which is Better

Headstones are a tribute to our loved ones who left us too soon. When it comes to choosing the right stone, there are various options available in the market. The most popular headstones are made from marble or granite. But which one is better and will be able to stand the test of time?

Overview of granite and marble

Granite - It is a type of igneous rock consisting of quartz, feldspar, mica and other trace minerals. It forms from the slow cooling of magma present in the earth&#;s crust.

For more information, please visit tombstone & marble carvings services.

Marble - It is a type of metamorphic rock consisting of dolomite or calcite. It forms from the transformation of other rocks under high pressure and temperature. As a result, marble is available in different colours and beautiful patterns.

Both granite and marble are mined from quarries. The blocks of rocks are transported to industrial facilities where they are cut into slabs and transported across the world. The stone fabricators then transform the slabs into the desired shape.

How to identify granite and marble?

Marble

Marble has colourful swirls in the pattern of the stone. It is also soft and can scratch easily with a sharp object.

Granite

Granite is durable, tough, and can withstand extreme climatic conditions. Granite&#;s strength and durability make it an excellent choice for headstones. It cannot be scratched with a sharp object.

Stone colours

Marble is available in a range of colours - white, beige, grey, black, brown, green, yellow, and blue. Its unique veiled surface and the wide selection of colours make marble a popular choice for headstones. If you want the gravestone in white colour, consider marble.

Granite is available in colours like black, grey, red, pink, brown, green and blue. It can be engraved with contrasting colours making it easy to read. Granites can be etched with laser and you can have anything etched on the headstone without worrying about the lettering getting damaged due to weather.

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Pros and cons of marble and granite headstones

Marble

Pros

  • It has been a popular choice for monuments for centuries. The Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum, is one of the timeless marble treasures that the world has seen.
  • Easy to cut and polish.

Cons

  • The lettering can lose its details over the years and become illegible.
  • Prone to chips, cracks and discolouration due to weather and pollution.

Granite

Pros

  • It is nearly indestructible and can withstand harsh weather conditions and pollution for extended periods of time.
  • Granite headstones are commonly used as headstones and have withstood many, many years in variable conditions.

Cons

  • Granite can get damaged by acid rain

So what should you choose - granite or marble?

All stone can get weathered due to chemicals and physical processes. Marble can get weathered easily and develop cracks especially if the headstone is located outdoors in an open area. The wind and rain can also make the lettering illegible. In contrast, granite can withstand rain and wind with little effect to the monument. Granite headstones will look beautiful but the lettering will also remain legible so you can continue to honour your loved one's memory for generations.

Choosing a headstone is a deeply personal choice. If you are looking for a white structure that stands out from the rest, marble is the ideal choice. And if you want the headstone to have intricate engravings and want it to last forever, granite is suitable.

A headstone is a tribute to your loved ones and it is important to choose a material that will stand the test of the time while meeting the requirements of your family. Choosing granite will ensure the memory of your loved one lasts for a very long time.

If you are unsure of the best stone product to use on your Brisbane memorial, speak to the team at MMS Memorials for expert knowledge and recommendations.

The company is the world’s best ​tombstone & marble sculpture manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.