🧠 Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding the Monument Design Process & What to Expect

Q1: How do I begin designing a custom monument with The Memorial Man?

You can schedule a live Zoom session where we’ll walk through the design process together in real time. It’s personal, collaborative, and helps ensure your monument tells the story you want to share.Just visit 👉 www.calendly.com/thememorialmanva/office to choose your preferred Virginia office location or to book a Zoom call.

Q2: What types of monuments do you offer?

We offer a wide variety of options including:

  • 🪦 Upright headstones (single, companion, heart-shaped)
  • 🪑 Memorial benches
  • 🧱 Columbariums
  • 🐾 Pet memorials like our Econo Monument™ line
  • 🟫 Flat markers and bevels
  • 🔲 VA Bronze markers and traditional bronze on granite
  • 🗿 Custom statuary and sculpted monuments
  • 🪨 Cremation benches, boulders, and pillars All pieces are crafted from natural stone and laser-etched, sandblasted, or cast in bronze depending on your chosen design.

Q3: Can I customize the monument?

Absolutely. You can personalize:

  • 🪨 Stone type & color
  • ✍️ Engraving & font style
  • 🎨 Artwork, photos, and emblems
  • 🔲 Shape and layout

No cookie-cutter templates here—this is about honoring your loved one the right way.

Q4: What do I need to know about cemetery regulations?

📜 Every cemetery has its own rules about monument size, color, material, and installation. We strongly recommend that you:

  • Ask for a copy of their rules in writing
  • Confirm who installs the stone
  • Understand if they charge inspection, foundation, or setting fees

We’ll gladly help guide you through those conversations to ensure your monument is fully compliant and doesn’t get delayed.

Q5: How long does the process take from design to delivery?

⏱️ Our design process usually takes 1–2 sessions depending on revisions. Once approved, please allow up to 16 weeks for delivery. Keep in mind:

  • Stone sourcing
  • Weather conditions
  • Cemetery scheduling …can all affect the final timeline. We’ll keep you in the loop the whole way.

That said, we often beat the 16-week timeline—but because of the many moving parts, it’s not something we can guarantee. We’ll always do our best to get your monument delivered as quickly and carefully as possible.

Q6: Will the paint or color on the stone last forever?

🎨 Paint is used to highlight engravings—but it will fade over time due to exposure to the elements. Expect touch-ups every 5–10 years, especially on lighter or polished stones. Pro tip: A clean engraving lasts forever, even if the paint fades.Some stones (like jet black granite) have excellent natural contrast and look great with no paint at all. For stones like gray or lighter granite, we often use deep v-cut engraving, which creates natural shadows that improve visibility without the need for paint.You can also opt to have your monument professionally sealed to help protect it from weather and environmental wear.

Q7: Will my stone look exactly like the sample or photo?

Not exactly—and that’s a good thing. 🪨 Natural stone has color and grain variations, just like wood or marble countertops. These variations make every monument truly one-of-a-kind. If you're looking for uniformity, a jet black granite is the most consistent option.

Q8: Do you help with installation?

Yes, we offer installation support, but many cemeteries prefer to handle that themselves—and often charge a setting or foundation fee.If the cemetery doesn’t provide installation (or if you're placing the stone on private property), you still have great options. Trusted local resources include:

  • 🏦 Funeral homes
  • 🪦 Other monument companies
  • 🌿 Landscaping or hardscaping companies familiar with stonework

We’ll help guide you to the right solution for your situation—and make sure the job is done with care and respect.

Q9: What are my payment options?

We accept: 💳 Credit Cards – Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx 📲 Digital – PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo 📆 Payment plans – Available upon request. Let’s find a way that works for your family.

Q10: Where are you located and how do I reach you?

📍 The Memorial Man 12299 Rixeyville Rd, Culpeper, VA 📞 Call/Text: 540-832-6693 📧 thememorialmanva@gmail.com 💻 www.thememorialmanllc.com

Q11: Can I pre-order or plan ahead for my own monument?

Yes. Pre-planning is a smart, meaningful decision that removes emotional and financial stress from your loved ones later. We can design and finalize your monument now, and deliver it at the appropriate time. It also locks in today’s pricing.

Q12: Do you offer bilingual engraving or special character options?

Yes, we support custom languages, characters, and cultural symbols. Whether you need Spanish, Hebrew, Chinese characters, or something unique to your heritage, we can accommodate it. Just let us know during your design session.In some cases, we may ask the family to provide us with a file containing the desired lettering or characters. We rely on the family to review and confirm accuracy, including spelling, grammar, and formatting, before we move forward with engraving.

Q13: Do you work with out-of-state families?

Absolutely. We've worked with families all across the U.S. and even overseas. We can handle design virtually, and coordinate shipping and installation with your chosen cemetery, wherever they may be.We also have a global network of trusted suppliers, which means we can assist any family, anywhere—with the same quality, care, and compassion we provide locally.

Q14: What happens if the stone arrives damaged or incorrect?

Every monument goes through a strict quality control process. Before engraving begins, we will provide a design proof for your approval. It's very important to thoroughly review this proof to ensure all spelling, dates, and design elements are correct.If something arrives damaged or not as approved, we’ll make it right. We stand behind our work 100% and your satisfaction is our priority.

Q15: Can I add to a monument later (like names or dates)?

Yes. Final dates, names, or additional inscriptions can typically be engraved directly in the cemetery without needing to remove the monument—but this service is not provided by us.

Q15b: Who engraves final dates?

Final date engraving is typically done by local monument service providers. Many funeral homes and cemeteries contract with these specialists to engrave the dates directly on-site. If you're unsure who to contact, we can refer you to trusted local providers who specialize in this work.

Q16: What is an indemnification agreement with a cemetery?

Some cemeteries require families to sign an indemnification agreement if they choose to purchase a monument from an outside provider like us. This agreement typically states that the family—not the cemetery—is responsible for any issues that may arise during delivery or installation, such as damage to the grounds or delays. We help you navigate this process and ensure your monument meets all specifications to avoid complications.

Q17: Who is responsible if a monument is damaged after installation?

Responsibility can vary depending on the situation:

  • If damage occurs during installation and we are handling it, we take responsibility.
  • If damage occurs after installation (due to cemetery equipment, landscaping, or vandalism), the cemetery or property owner may be liable—but this can be difficult to enforce.

We recommend checking your homeowner's insurance policy. Many policies will allow you to extend coverage to monuments and memorials, offering peace of mind in case of vandalism, storm damage, or other unexpected events.

Q18: Do you offer a warranty?

Yes. Our monuments come with a limited warranty that covers defects in the stone or craftsmanship. This warranty is comparable to the industry standards used by top suppliers like Rock of Ages.Please note: We do not guarantee paint, as all paint exposed to weather will eventually fade. However, the integrity of the stone and the engraving itself is fully backed.

⚠️ Legal Note:

We are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. Cemetery and funeral-related rules may vary depending on location and type. Always consult with an attorney or cemetery administrator for binding information. Our role is to advocate, educate, and honor your family’s wishes.