How Do I Clean THAT??

Okay, so we all know the feeling. It's the heart-sinking moment when you stand, looking at a loved one's memorial, realizing that you are going to have to clean an unidentified mess from his or her stone. Maybe it is bird poo or perhaps it is berry stains or moss; whatever the substance may be, we have some solutions. BUT, before cleaning a memorial, there are some important factors to consider.

1. It is important to always check the color of the granite with which you will be working. Black granite tends to scratch a little easier than gray granite. SO, if you are working with black, you will want to avoid rubbing, stiff bristles or anything else that could cause scratching.

2. Check the engraving on the stone. If the engraving appears to have been done by a laser, please avoid rubbing or scrubbing over the laser etched portion. This will ensure any potential scratching will not impact the etching.

3. Always check the material the stone is made of. If it is marble please do not take the advice found on our blog!

4. If the stone you are cleaning appears to be damaged, please refrain from cleaning it and contact your monument dealer immediately.

Now that you know what you are dealing with you will initially need to gather a few materials:
-A large jug of water
-A spray bottle
-Bleach
-A soft bristle tooth brush

We recommend mixing one part water to one part bleach in your spray bottle and beginning with a small portion of the soiled area. Simply spray some solution and lightly scrub for a few moments. It is important to note that, after scrubbing, you need to rinse the area REALLY well with your water. Why? Because the bleach could lighten your memorial if you don't.

If the bleach and water solution does not work (and occasionally it will not), you might consider purchasing a Dupont Alkaline Cleanser that can be found at nearly any counter top store in your area. Please note that you need to read the instructions for this cleanser very carefully prior to using it.

If the alkaline cleanser does not work or if you are physically unable to clean your loved one's memorial, please contact Emerson Monument Company and we will be glad to cleanse your stone for you.

Preserving a Slice of History

This past weekend my husband and father-in-law took me to a remote civil war memorial near New Edinburgh, AR. Now, I will admit, I am not as educated in the Civil War as those who grew up in the Deep South or near a battle field. However, after visiting the Marks Mill State Park, I am very interested in learning more and returning to the site when we have more time to really study the memorials.

The Marks Mill State Park features numerous memorials (most of which are engraved into granite) to commemorate the battle that took place and preserve history for generations to come. It is truly a neat little place to visit and I wanted to share what they have done. It is worth noting that Emerson Monument Company did not make or erect any of the memorials at the Marks Mill State Park. However, we are certainly capable of creating monuments such as these to memorialize any family or historical site.

Marble upright Veteran's memorials. These may have been issued by the Veteran's Administration or made to duplicate those that are typically issued by the VA.

Georgia Gray polished 2 (meaning only the front and the back are polished and the top and sides are rough) oval top monument with Vermarco lettering. A red lithichrome paid was also used on the text "The battle had begun!" This memorial was placed upon a tall brick base.

This exhibit boasts several engraved memorials. While some of the memorials are Georgia Gray slants, others are engraved Georgia Gray tiles that have been layed into a rock or brick structure.
This appears to be a Dakota Mahogony oval top stone with vermarco lettering.

This memorial appears to be Academy Black with vermarco lettering and other decorative engravings. It stands on top of a white brick base.

Marking Graves

Yesterday Emerson Monument Company had the pleasure of placing new granite markers at the Spade Mountain Cemetery in Adair County, Oklahoma.
Years ago - no, decades ago- families would bury their loved ones in Spade Mountain Cemetery and then mark their graves with homemade headstones. These stones typically consisted of sand or lime stone that had been engraved by hand. And while these stones are invaluable slices of history, they are becoming difficult to read.

Determined not to lose the memory of each individual buried in the cemetery, the Spade Mountain Cemetery Board chose to have each individual's grave marked with a fresh new stone while still keeping the old stone in tact. What a great way to preserve history!

If you are a board member, geneology enthusiast or interested family member who desires to preserve or mark historical graves, please contact us for information on our "Mark Every Grave" program.

Now You Can Shop Online!

Each day we connect with folks all over the US via our website. Some prefer to initiate the purchase process by requesting a proof based on their preferred design information while others prefer to call us initiate the purchase process via phone. But one thing we have not offered in the past is the ability to purchase monuments and monument accessories on our website. But we are getting there!

During the month of March Emerson Monument Company is introducing an online store in which new and existing customers may order small cemetery markers and headstone accessories. We anticipate adding products on a daily basis throughout the month and will combine the products with our well-known level of customer care.

If you are interested in purchasing a monument or would like to purchase accessories for your existing monument, please check out our website, drop by our store or give us a call- at Emerson Monument Company we are always here to help!

Memorial Day

You may have driven past our office and noticed the sign out front: "Now Accepting Memorial Day Orders". So what is so special about Memorial Day anyway?

Many cemeteries have designated an annual Decoration Day in which families may gather and visit and decorate their loved one's graves together. Some cemeteries also incorporate a celebration service into their Decoration Day festivities and others solicit volunteer clean-up efforts on that day. Whatever the case surrouding your cemetery may be, it is a special time of year indeed.

Naturally, families like to have their loved one's headstones in place before Decoration Day so that they may honor him or her with flowers and other tokens of love. Because the standard delivery time for a monument is between 4-6 weeks, weather permitting, it is a good idea to begin your Memorial Day shopping at least two months prior to the holiday.

It is also important to note that there will always be time to decorate your loved one's grave. SO, if you do not feel ready to make a memorial purchase, don't push youself. It is better to take your time and get what you really want rather than rush into something you may not be as happy with in the future.

If you have questions about purchasing a memorial or would like to view our standard selection, drop by our office in Springdale or check us out online.

Purchasing a Monument Ahead of Time

Today many families and individuals choose to pre-arrange their end of life care. And, while such arrangements commonly include a fuenral service, they may also include honorary services such as creating and placing a monument.

Because monuments are accepted as universal symbols of rememberance and honor, they play an important role in the way we memorialize our loved ones. And, if you are particular about what a memorial in your honor will look like, it may be a good idea to arrange for it ahead of time.

When designing a monument for yourself it is important to begin with a solid piece of inspiration. Perhaps you have seen a stone you like in the cemetery or in the showroom. Or, perhaps you enjoy a certain color, religion, or hobby. If so, you need to communicate your ideas to our staff to ensure that the memorial is designed as a lasting tribute to you.

If you or a loved one are interested in designing a memorial on a pre-need basis, please contact the staff at Emerson Monument Company today, where it is our pledge to provide the highest quality service at the most reasonable price.

When to Order a Headstone

After losing a loved one you may hear several theories concerning the "right time" to buy a stone. Some folks say to wait 6 months while others say to wait until the burial ground settles. However, at Emerson Monument Company we take a different approach.

Each individual and family is different than the next, meaning they grieve in different ways and for different lengths of time. With that being said, it is important that those who are considering the purchase of a memorial wait until they feel comfortable going through the memorialization process.

If you feel comfortable going through the process immediately following your loss, then you are welcome to drop in and begin getting some ideas. However, if you are not yet comfortable with discussing your ideas or feel that you just "aren't there yet", it is in your best interest to wait until you do feel more comfortable. For some people this takes a matter of months while, for others, it may take years.

Also, if you don't feel comfortable designing a memorial just yet but can't stand looking at your loved one's grave without a stone, you might consider purchasing a small 1 foot by 6 inch marker and having "In Loving Memory of (insert your loved one's name)" engraved on it. This is an inexpensive purchase ($65) and will act as a temporary memorial until you are ready to come in and begin designing a headstone.