Don’t Forget to Pre-Plan Your Monument
Losing a loved one is never easy. Surviving family members are tasked with the overwhelming responsibility of planning final arrangements amid processing their own grief. This can lead to sudden financial burdens and stressful decisions if final wishes are not documented ahead of time.
To prevent this incredibly difficult situation, more people are choosing to preplan their arrangements to give their family peace of mind. When working with a monument provider to preplan your memorial, you can design the memorial that best fits all your wishes.
You can design a memorial that is unique to you. You can decide if it will be simple or elaborate, granite or bronze, what the inscription says and more. Not to mention, choosing your own memorial takes the burden of making all the decisions away from your loved ones.
To help you preplan your own memorial, follow our five-step process to designing a personalized memorial.
1. Finding a cemetery/buying a plot
The first step in preplanning your own memorial is to research local cemeteries, including their specific rules and regulations for memorials. Unfortunately, we know of many families who have purchased land at a cemetery, then realize the memorial they envisioned is not permitted. Consider consulting with Johnson Monument first. Our trained staff understands the guidelines for memorials at different cemeteries and will help you navigate the options.
2. Select the size and shape of your monument
There are several options available in varying shapes, sizes, and styles. Review the available options to ensure the selected memorial embodies your final wishes. A variety of memorial types exist for both burial and cremation, including:
• Upright Monument
• Slant Memorial
• Raised Bevel
• Lawn-level
• Cremation monuments
• Benches
3. Choose a color
Next up is color. Granite comes from all over the United States and from around the world. Pick the one that suites you. Popular colors include:
• Antique Gray
• Morning Rose
• Jet Black
• Blue Pearl
4. Customize a design
Memorials are so much more than stone grave markers. They are personalized tributes that honor the life and legacy of your life lived.
Talk with the staff at Johnson Monument about design options. We can design your monument in front of you on the computer. Some common elements include:
• Hand and laser etching
• Sculptures and carving
• Unique engraving
• Bronze lettering and accents
• Ceramic and porcelain photos
• Flag holders
• Vases
5. Create your message
While most memorials have traditional phrases like “Always in Our Hearts” or “In Loving Memory Of,” talk with us about the message. When surviving family and future generations visit your final resting spot, how would you like to be remembered?
Perhaps there is a quote you live your life by, or a meaningful song you share with your spouse. When you pick something personal, it can have a much deeper meaning for not only you, but for surviving family.
Beyond your name, birthday and date of your passing, the memorial can make mention of family references. These include:
• Beloved mother
• Devoted husband
• Adored grandmother
• Parents of …
• Your wedding date and more
Preplan Your Memorial to Reduce Stress for Family Members
A memorial is the surviving piece of history for loved ones and future generations to visit after you have passed. It is an important part of your estate planning. Preplanning a memorial may feel overwhelming at first, but it is an opportunity for you to support your surviving family members while allowing you to choose what you want. We are here to help when you are ready to start the process.
Stop into any of our several locations or visit our website at Johnsonmonument.com
Our dedicated staff is here to guide you through the process while offering our quality line of memorial products in your time of need.