Frequently Asked Questions
The process of purchasing and designing a memorial is one that most of us only experience once. A memorial is something that will stand for eternity and tell the story of our loved ones to future generations. This process is full of questions, here are the answers to many of the most common questions that you may have. Don’t see an answer to your question? Please contact us for more information regarding your personal circumstances.
Why should I buy my monument from a monument dealer instead of a funeral home, cemetery, or a website?
There are many people who will try to convince you to buy your memorial from them. But only a monument dealer has the training and experience to give you the best advice and the quality work you deserve. Most likely buying a cemetery memorial is something you will only do once in your life, so working with a company that designs and builds memorials full-time will only benefit you. Since this will be a new experience for you, questions may arise that you need answered. You may need the reassurance of checking on your memorial before it is finished. With our company, you will always be able to talk directly to the people who are working on your memorial for those answers.
What is the right type of memorial for my lot?
Some cemeteries have regulations restricting the size, shape or material that you can use for your memorial. It will help you to know this information before you purchase a cemetery lot. This way, cemetery regulations won’t prevent you from using the type of memorial you would like. Our staff is happy to work with you to determine what is allowable at your cemetery and what will look best on your gravesite. In addition to cemetery regulations, your personal taste and budget will be determining factors as to what type of memorial you choose.
How long will it take to have a memorial installed?
A memorial can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to be completed and placed in the cemetery depending on a number of factors, including domestic or imported material availability, weather conditions, stone type, design complexity and cemetery schedules. At Modlich Monument Company, all of our work is done in-house by our own craftsman and artists, so we have total control over the work on your memorial. Still factors like the weather or delayed work on a cemetery foundation can slow our installation of a monument.
When is the right time to purchase a memorial?
The best time to purchase a memorial is before you need it. That way you can make decisions without dealing with the emotions of having lost a loved one or be rushed by the thought of an unmarked grave. If this is not possible, you should wait until you are ready to handle it emotionally. Remember that a memorial will last forever, and you will look at it for the rest of your life.
How can we be sure we will like the design that we pick out?
We provide computer-generated scale drawings of your memorial for your approval. This allows you to see exactly what your memorial will look like before we start the engraving process. If you would like to make any changes after you see the drawing, it will still be possible to do that.
Can we have the memorial we order engraved with a personalized design?
Every memorial that we create is as unique as the life it is memorializing. Here at Modlich Monument Company, we employ highly skilled craftsmen and artists who are able to provide you with any type of memorial you have in mind. We have access to all types and colors of granite. And with the computer-controlled equipment used today, we can easily produce special stone shapes and sizes. We offer more types of engraving than most other monument companies, from standard sandblast engraving to hand diamond etched portraits. All of our work is done in our facility by our employees, and you are welcome to check on it at any time.
If I run into problems at the cemetery, who should I go to for help?
In most cases, individual cemeteries are responsible for pouring the foundation they provided for their monuments and markers. A separate fee is collected to cover this work. We then deliver the memorial to the cemetery and set it on the foundation they provided. If there are issues with the foundation work, we will be happy to work with you and the cemetery to resolve them.
Do I need to purchase a memorial even if the body was cremated?
Cremation should not limit the need for a family to memorialize a person’s life. We offer a variety of ways to do this. In many cemeteries, cremains are buried in a grave site and a regular monument or marker is used. We also can create a cut-out space in the bottom of a monument or a bench and seal the cremains inside the memorial. For mausoleums, we offer decorative urns to house your loved one’s cremains.