Frequently Asked Questions

There really is no “right” or “wrong” time to look into a memorial. It’s simply when the time is right for you. Everyone has his or her own grieving time, which varies according to the circumstances surrounding the loss of a loved one. A long illness gives the family time to adjust and take care of things prior to a loved one’s passing; however, a tragic or unexpected situation may require a longer waiting period, as family members may have many responsibilities to take care of at such a difficult time.

Many of our memorials are manufactured in Barre, Vermont, the home of major granite manufacturers as well as the legendary Rock of Ages Granite Quarry.

We carefully select, proven providers. Those that employ excellent talent and maintain state-of-the-art machinery to produce the finest monuments.

Additionally we work with local artisans who possess decades of experience as craftsmen and artisans

You’ll work with one of our staff to personalize a suitable memorial. An order is signed and a deposit is made. Next, the family is provided with a professional rendering of their memorial to review and provide a signed approval. Finally, the memorial goes into production and once completed, gets washed down, inspected, crated, and shipped. Once the memorial reaches is warehoused, it is scheduled for installation at the cemetery.

CAD systems are used extensively in the process. This capability is not only a time saver, but also allows extensive use of design libraries for ease of design. The CAD system produces a proof sheet, which is a facsimile of the rubber stencil used in the manufacturing process, guaranteeing quality. Custom designs are often hand drawn and etched or sandblast by artisans.

Timing is influenced by memorial size, complexity of design, and availability of various granite selections. Snowy winter months can delay actual installation time — in some cases, memorials that are ordered during late Fall and Winter months will be installed as soon as possible within the following calendar year.

Granite is an extremely hard material that withstands the elements very well. Unlike marble---a softer substance---granite has been and will continue to be around for centuries. We at Hale Monument are extremely selective in our granite choices that we offer clients. All granite is not alike and can vary depending on it quality, origination and workmanship

It is our policy not to sacrifice quality of granite for price. Therefore, we request premium grade stock for our memorials, and we pride ourselves on the quality of our product. Our clients well being and satisfaction is paramount and of tremendous importance to us. We will not sacrifice to always be the lowest cost provider – at the cost of quality and premium workmanship that will last generations.

Some cemeteries no longer allow marble to be used. In earlier times white marble was used and can be found in many old cemeteries. Softer and less durable than granite, marble memorials are generally white and display badly eroded inscriptions. A marble memorial that has been exposed to the elements for a period of time tends to feel like sandpaper and weather badly.

Memorials, like any building or structure, impose a significant load on the ground, and therefore need to be upright and stable. A memorial foundation requires the ground at the head of a grave to be excavated and concrete to be poured into a form proportionate to the size of the memorial. In order to form a “mowing collar”, some cemeteries require their memorial foundations to extend a few inches beyond the size of the memorial. Such ‘mowing collars’ keep grass away from the memorial and thereby reduce trim work during grass mowing

Many cemeteries do their own foundations. For those who do not, we provide this service here at Hale. Occasionally, and only when a cemetery allows so, the family may do the foundation, usually such an option applies to smaller, more rural cemeteries.

We order and coordinate the foundation with the cemetery. Naturally, the foundation cost is based on size and varies from cemetery to cemetery. The order coordination is part of our service to our clients. The cost of the foundation varies depending on the cemetery. We bill our customers for the cost of the foundation as communicated to us by each cemetery. Please note that occasionally cemeteries modify their foundation pricing and we may not be notified of such. There are times when such price adjustments occur. In such cases, our clients are shown the actual invoices from the respective cemetery so that the actual foundation price can be covered by the client for their respective memorial.

We often duplicate a stone, though ordering one requires a visit to the cemetery for detailed measurements, pictures, and a “rubbing” — that is, a physical impression produced through the use of a pressure-sensitive paper. Duplication is usually done when a stone is added to a family lot and continuity in the family lot is important. Often times too, a client may see a memorial in a cemetery and want to duplicate it. This is generally not a problem.

Trees, pollen, and other natural debris all contribute to deposits. In addition, damp dark areas encourage the growth of moss. Fallout from industrial contamination can also be a factor.

Depending on the finish, contaminant, and the extent of the soiling, cleaning is done in a variety of ways. Polished surfaces clean easily, usually with water and a sponge, while irregular surfaces, such as rock pitch, are the most difficult. Crevices provide a good place for living organisms such as molds and mosses to grow, and you may need a plastic brush to remove such organic growth. Do not use ferrous tools such as wire brushes, since residual particles and even tool contact with the memorial can produce permanent rust stains. Any solutions used should be rinsed thoroughly from the memorial. Memorial cleaning is available through our company and it is recommended for memorials with a large buildup of organic growth on them.

Our installer covers much of Western New York, though we also have working relationships with other dealers outside of our area and in other states.