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Purchasing a memorial is a major investment of time and money and should be undertaken with great thought and care. Florida Builders recommends careful and thoughtful planning when purchasing a memorial.

Whether you are making immediate or pre-need arrangements for a funeral or purchasing cemetery interment rights, you should know that you and your family ARE NOT obligated to purchase a monument from a funeral home or a cemetery. In fact, a good argument can be made to delay the purchase of a memorial, the one visual and lasting tribute, until other matters are complete.

Your local monument builder is a reliable source of information regarding the various regulations of the cemeteries in your area. Since cemeteries have regulations regarding the size and type of memorial in certain areas of the cemetery, it is important to consult with a monument builder before you purchase your cemetery property.

Visit a memorial showroom to see the different styles of monuments and markers. If you are unable to visit a showroom, discuss your needs with the monument builder. Most offer some type of home services. Monument builders will help you design a memorial and then complete all that is required to produce the memorial from inscription to installation. Other products such as bronze remembrance lamps, bronze vases, floral attachments, religious items and even permanent reproduced photographs are available to incorporate into your tribute.

Your wishes and a monument builder's suggestions will combine to help you decide on the appropriate text, floral, epitaphs and meaningful symbols for your memorial. Most monument builders will prepare drawings and rubbings or have you review a completed stencil to help you visualize the finished memorial as well as to check for any possible errors before the final work is completed on the stone.

Increasingly, people are choosing to purchase their own monument before the need arrives. By planning ahead, you can select the style, size and color you prefer. A personalized design, which you can help to create, can reflect your beliefs, values or what ever is meaningful to you. What do you want to tell future generations about yourself and your family? This is your opportunity to make your personal statement for history.

You can save money. Purchasing a monument before the need arises means that you are utilizing today's dollars. Like everything else, it will cost less now than in years to come.

It is less traumatic and emotional to purchase a memorial in advance. You have the opportunity to discuss the purchase with all the family members. Most major purchases are completed with the interests of all members of the family. This is one of those major purchases.

Cemetery memorials range from flat, beveled or slant markers that lie on the ground to elaborate, multi-piece upright monuments.

• Upright monuments come in a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes, providing a full range of creative and personalized works of art.
• Slant and bevel markers are midway in height between flat markers and upright monuments. They come in single or double in size and can be personalized with symbols or inscriptions.
• Flat markers can be personalized, but the design is naturally restricted by the smaller area. Because they lie flush with the ground, they often are hard to locate in the cemetery.

Where cemetery regulations allow, monuments may also include crosses, statues and flower vases. More on Monument Styles.

Most monuments are made from granite because of its durability, its reasonable price and its availability in a wide range of colors, including gray, black, red, pink, brown, green, and blue. Marble is available in white and gray. Bronze is often used for flat markers and for embellishments to monuments.

Granite and marble comes in different qualities, some of which may not be suitable for cemetery memorials. A reputable monument builder will be able to show you fine quality granites and marble that will accept different styles of lettering and design work. Be sure to look at quality, finish and design, as well as size, if you are comparing prices. More on Monument Materials.

Your monument builder should have an extensive display of monuments. This allows you to see a variety of colors, shapes, and lettering styles that are available for your memorial.

Upright monuments come in a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes, providing a full range of creative and personalized works of art.

Slant and bevel markers are midway in height between flat markers and upright monuments. They come in single or double in size and can be personalized with symbols or inscriptions.

Flat markers can be personalized, but the design is naturally restricted by the smaller area. Because they lie flush with the ground, they often are hard to locate in the cemetery.

Monuments and Markers are priced according to size, color of material used, design and installation cost, plus applicable cemetery fees.  Check with your local monument dealer for price estimates and memorialization options.

Most monument builders will warranty their finished product against defects in material, workmanship, and installation. Consult with your monument builder about his warranty.