Bronze and Granite Grave Markers and Plot MonumentsGranite is the standard today for monuments and grave markers in standard cemeteries. Previously, other stone, notably marble was used for upwrite grave markers and family monuments but it has proved unacceptable because it deteriorates, especially as a result of "acid rain."
Granite is long lasting and is available in a wide variety of colors, grey being the standard and most common color...and usually the least expensive.
Granite colors include:
Barre Grey
North American Pink
Mahogany (a mottled reddish brown)
Canadian Select
Impala Black (black with grey/white flecks)
Jet Black
Blue Gem
Keystone Red
Green
These colors are listed generally in order of price, grey being the least expensive and green being the most expensive. The cost is determined by availability and location of origin, some colors are not available in North America.
When ordering a granite marker or monument, final costs depend on the size of the granite blocks, the color and finish, transportation and installation and to a lesser degree the designs and decorations engraved and etched. Normally the names and dates are included in the basic cost although letter size and the style of the letters and numbers themselves are of consideration in determining the cost. All cemeteries have regulations regarding markers and monuments and reserve the right to give final approval for the marker or monument to be installed. A fee for placing a concrete foundation is usually made by the cemetery and is in addition to the cost of the granite marker/monument itself.
The following are depictions of various plot monuments and individual or double grave markers along with the standard sizes and a current (July 27, 2007) range of prices for standard Barre Grey Granite. Additional charges will be made for other considerations as noted above.
None of the following drawings are to scale.
GRANITE MONUMENTS
Costs often range between $2,910.00 and $5,733.00
Costs often range between $2,388.00 and $4,562.00
INDIVIDUAL AND DOUBLE GRANITE GRAVE MARKERS
SLANT FACE MARKERS
Individual SLANT MARKERS (with no base) often range between $1,068 and $1,945
Double SLANT MARKERS (with no base) often range between $1,300 and $2,415
Individual SLANT MARKERS (with a base) often range between $1,649 and $2,400
Double SLANT MARKERS (with a base) often range between $1,400 and $3,307
BEVEL TOP MARKERS
Individual BEVEL MARKERS often range between $845 and $1,694
Double BEVEL MARKERS often range between $1,328 and $2,318
Bevel Markers may be installed on a BASE as with Slant Markers
Bases often range between $600 to $1,300
FLUSH MARKERS
Individual FLUSH MARKERS often range between $651 AND $977
Double FLUSH MARKERS often range between $1,081 and $1706
Flush markers are installed "below level" so that the top is at grass level.
A word about additional cemetery charges: Almost always, your cemetery will reserve the right to prepare the site for the installation of a marker including the pouring/placing of a concrete foundation for the marker. Foundation fees range from as low as 50¢ to as much as $2.00 per square inch. Some cemeteries also charge a servicing permit fee to add final dates to existing markers and monuments. None of the above estimated prices includes any part of your cemetery's foundation fee nor servicing permit fee which must be paid to the cemetery before they will issue a permit to commence any work..
All "Memorial Parks" require the use of bronze plaques as grave markers and do not allow the installation of any granite markers...not even flush granite markers. Many Memorial Parks have specific regulations as to the size and shape of the bronze plaques that they allow in any one section...some require that all markers (in certain sections) be of identical size and shape.
After the entire design of the bronze plaque is determined, the entire plaque is poured from molton bronze in one piece, except for a vase, if ordered and often the name and/or date of a survivor if the plaque is a double plaque. Once poured, no changes may be made, and only anticipated additions (as noted above) may be made (at additional cost)..
Design choices include:
Size
Finish Color
Border Design
Background Design
Letter Style
Emblems
Additional wordings
Vase
Granite Base
Some cemeteries allow (and others REQUIRE that) a polished granite base, as depicted by the grey frame in the drawings below, be installed under the bronze plaque. When a granite base is not used, the plaque is usually set in concrete and placed on the foundation that is poured in the ground.
The following are depictions of various individual or double bronze plaques along with the standard sizes and a current (2003) estimated price. The background design and all the names and dates are included in the basic price. Often two organizational emblems are included. Additional words or emblems are available at additional cost. Additional charges will be made for Vases (@$200.00) and polished granite bases (range up from @$400 depending on the overall area of the base).
A foundation and installation charge will be determined by each individual cemetery and is in addition to the cost of the bronze plaque, vase and base. This charge is payable directly to the cemetery.
None of the following drawings are to scale.
BRONZE PLAQUES
The approximate cost of a Double Bronze Plaque 44" x 14" is $2,636.00 with a vase and $2,279.00 with no vase.
The approximate cost of a Standard Plaque 24" x 14" is $1,486.00 with a vase and $1,162.00 with no vase.
This size plaque may be used as either a single or a double marker and is the smallest and least expensive plaque available with a vase.
The approximate cost of this 16" x 24"plaque is $1,604.00 with a vase and $1,269.00 with no vase.
This size plaque is required in the (double depth) Veteran's Section #16 at Monmouth Memorial Park in Tinton Falls unless the only marker on the grave is the standard SINGLE marker provided by the Veteran's Administration...only one plaque may be installed on each single grave..
The approximate cost of this standard 24" x 12" plaque is $1,358.00 with a vase and $1,040.00 with no vase.
This is the same size as the standard Veteran's Administration free bronze plaque.
Plaques of different sizes and specifications may be ordered but you should receive written authorization from your cemetery that they will allow specially ordered plaques.
A word about additional cemetery charges: Almost always, your cemetery will reserve the right to prepare the site for the installation of a marker including the pouring/placing of a concrete foundation for the marker. Foundation fees range from as low as 50¢ to as much as $2.00 per square inch. Some cemeteries also charge a servicing permit fee to add final dates to existing markers and monuments. None of the above estimated prices includes any part of your cemetery's foundation fee nor servicing permit fee which must be paid to the cemetery before they will issue a permit to commence any work..
