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When
is the time right?
Where are the memorials made?
Who actually makes your memorials?
How are memorials ordered?
Are memorials designed on the computer?
How long does it take to manufacturer a
memorial?
What is the lifetime of a memorial?
Why does Hale only use premium quality
granite?
Is marble still used for memorials?
What is a foundation and why is it
necessary?
Who does the foundations?
Who orders and pays for the
foundations?
Can existing stones be duplicated---when
should they be duplicated?
What contributes to soiling?
How do you clean a memorial?
Can you install a memorial out of
town?
When
is the time right?
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.
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Where
are the memorials made?
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.
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Who
actually makes your memorials?
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.
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How are
memorials ordered?
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.
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Are the
memorials designed on computer aided design (CAD) systems?
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.
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How long
does it take to manufacturer a memorial?
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.
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What is the
lifetime of a memorial?
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.
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Why
does Hale Monument only specify premium quality granite?
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.
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Is
marble still used for memorials?
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.
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What
is a foundation and why is it necessary?
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.
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Who
does the foundations?
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.
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Who
orders and pays for the foundations?
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.
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Can
existing stones be duplicated, and, if so, when should they be
duplicated?
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.
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What
contributes to soiling?
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.
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How do you clean a memorial?
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.
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Can
you install a memorial out of town?
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.
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