6 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING A HEADSTONE A Publication of HeadstoneHub

Table of Contents Introduction 1 Visit cemeteries for ideas 2Do your research online 3Meet with 2 to 3 monument shops 4Talk through the basics 5Understanding pricing 6 Purchase, payment, and installation Conclusions

Introduction We wrote this guide to tell you about the six things you need to know before purchasing a headstone. These topics contained within this guide you can now anticipate and be ready for with no surprises. We know many people have never had to buy a headstone before, and thus don’t know what to ask and what to think about. Many monument dealers, both online and offline, are helpful in talking through the process with you, but because it is a new experience it can be confusing. We have compiled our notes from speaking to people we have worked with in the past, and we hope they answer some of your questions and serve as a good guide: 6 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING A HEADSTONE If you have any questions about this guide, you can contact or I’d be happy to help answer any questions you may have. Let’s begin.

1 VISIT CEMETERIES FOR IDEAS Any good monument dealer, whether online or offline, is going to speak to about the following five things when looking for a headstone: size, color, shape, text, and artwork. He or she will help guide you through the process. However, often times, we’ve found that people have a hard time thinking through each of these without first going to local cemeteries and seeing what they like and do not like. It will make it much easier to describe what you’re looking for if you have examples for the person helping you to look at. That’s why we recommend driving through local cemeteries and taking pictures of headstones you like, whether it be because of a particular shape, color, or design. Take pictures of headstones you like in local cemeteries to help you generate ideas. You will quickly be able to figure out what you like and don’t like.

2 DO YOUR RESEARCH ONLINE We would recommend doing the following: 1.Read about how to buy a headstone, just like you’re doing now. Read articles, blogs, anything you can to make you feel comfortable with the process. There is a lot of good free information out there, just like this buying guide, which are there to help you. 2.Ask friends and family if they have ever gone through this process before. Chances are you know at least one person who has. 3.Google “monument dealer” to find local businesses that sell monuments. You will want to ask yourself the following questions as you learn about each store: How many years has this monument dealer been doing business? We recommend you work with a team who has been in business for a number of years. Many are family owned businesses that have been building headstones for 10, 20, 30+ years. Does this monument dealer display their headstones online? The best monument shops typically display their inventory online to help you see what is available prior to coming in for a visit. Who will I specifically be working with at this monument shop? Look at a monument dealer’s website and see if they have a “team” page. It’s important you are able to connect with the person building your headstone, and that you feel comfortable with them. At the end of the day, if you do your research, you’ll be that much more prepared for when you walk in the door to a monument shop.

3 MEET WITH 2 to 3 MONUMENT SHOPS Now it’s time to visit the 2-3 monument shops you found online that you feel most comfortable with. BUT, before you leave the house, we would recommend that you call to make a reservation with the monument shop owner so that you can have uninterrupted time with him or her. Because of many monument shop owner’s years of experience, they often are very good at speaking to customers and making people feel comfortable. Many of them have dealt with thousands of people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. They know a lot about the grieving process, and we have found them to be very kind people. Occasionally you will come across someone who is simply in the industry simply to make a living; but more often than not we have found monument shop owners to have an exhorbitant amount of pride in the craftsmanship they possess and the work that they do. Make sure you have the following information with you: The name of the cemetery the headstone will be going in. The maximum dimension of the headstone your cemetery allows. Information that will be on the stone: the correct spelling of the name of the deceased, his/her birth day, and his/her date of death. Any/all photos you have of headstones you have seen that you really like and want to incorporate into your design.

4 TALK THROUGH THE BASICS Here are the types of questions you will want to be prepared to answer when speaking to a monument dealer: Who is this headstone for: What was he/she like? The more information he/she knows about your loved one who passed away, the better he/she can paint a picture in his/her head head as to what your loved one would have wanted in a headstone. Size of stone: What cemetery is this headstone going in? This is important for the monument dealer to know so that he/she can make sure that the sizing requirements are correct. Color of stone: What color do you like? Headstones come in many colors, from light and dark grays and blacks to all colors of the rainbow: red, blue, green, pink, and more. Shape of stone: Do you like more traditional shapes, or more unique shapes? Headstones come in basic square and rectangular shapes, and also come in the shape of hearts, shamrocks, tear drops, and much more. Text and artwork: Are there any types of text and artwork you prefer? Do you want a carving or something more simple? Do you prefer block fonts or more scripted fonts? These are the types of things you’ll want to talk through. Budget: What is your budget? This will help the monument shop owner guide you in your decision making. Remember that headstones can range in price from a few hundred dollars up to many thousands of dollars. Keep your budget in mind.

5 UNDERSTANDING PRICING It’s very important to decide on a budget BEFORE walking in to see a monument dealer or buying online. Speak to a trusted family member if you do not know what type of budget you should be setting based on your own level of income, savings, etc. The average headstone in New England costs $3,500. Upright headstones can range from the low-end of $1,500 to $8,000+. If you’re looking to spend less, think about a flush or beveled marker, which typically cost $600 - $1,500. If you are looking for a bronze marker, be willing to spend $1,200 - $1,800. And if you’re looking for a mausoleum, be prepared for a $20,000+ price tag. Headstones: $2,400 - $8,000+ Flush Markers: $600 - $1,500+ Bronze Markers: $1,200 - $1,800+ Mausoleums: $20,000+

6 PURCHASE, PAYMENT, & INSTALLATION At this point, you have decided on the size, color, shape, text and artwork on your headstone. You may have even added a sculpture and engraving. Now, it is time to pay for your headstone. BUT, BEFORE YOU DO, just remember: 1/3, 1/3, 1/3. You should NEVER pay 100% up front for a headstone. Any monument dealer who is reputable should follow the following payment plan: 1/3 when you approve the official design. 1/3 when the headstone is completed. 1/3 when the headstone is placed in the cemetery. Understand that many times, there will be additional costs associated with the purchasing of a headstone. Here they are listed below so that you understand: Foundation fee: The fee associated with creating a concrete foundation at the cemetery. This is typically $100-$200. Sandblasted lettering: A typical monument dealer will allow for 24 sandblasted letters and numbers free of charge. Beyond that, letters typically cost $4-8 each. Installation fee: Most monument dealers do this for free for their customers. However, if you have purchased a headstone online, check to see if they will install it for you. HeadstoneHub will install for free. Most will not. If your monument dealer does not, be prepared to spend $500-$800 to have it done. Annual cleaning: Many local monument dealers charge $100 to do an annual cleaning. Some, like HeadstoneHub, do it for free.

CONCLUSION You just read “6 Things to Know Before Buying a Headstone” by HeadstoneHub. We hope that this guide has helped you. We’d like to conclude this guide with our empathy and condolences to you and your family. As a team of monument makers who have been in the monument and headstone business for over 35 years, we have worked with thousands of families dealing with the loss of their loved ones. We know that these individuals have been survived by their children, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, cousins and friends. And we know that while time heals all, certainly the loss of a loved one never truly goes away. We are here to help answer any of your questions. A Publication of ABC Company Call us: us: Visit us: 1025 Lawrence Street, Lowell, MA Hours: Monday – Saturday 7 AM – 5 PM Or by Appointment