Step 1: Consult with a professional Monument Designer and Builder – Things you should know

We all deserve to be remembered, whether we choose burial or cremation. Memorials are the essential element in preserving the memories of all lives lived.

Purchasing a memorial can be difficult because most people have little or no experience in the process. The Johns-Carabelli Company understands this and will guide you through this unfamiliar and often difficult time.

Great care and thought should be taken when purchasing a memorial. It is a major investment of emotion, time and money. Such an investment should be made without stress or pressure. A memorial is a lasting tribute of love and remembrance and careful consideration should be taken.

Whether you are making immediate or pre-need arrangements, you should know that you are under NO obligation to purchase a monument from a funeral home or a cemetery. It is actually a good idea to delay the purchase of a memorial until it can be the focus of your attention. There is no specific time within which a stone must be placed. The most appropriate time is when you and your family are personally ready. Keep in mind, after the funeral or committal service the memorial or monument may be the only remaining tribute of remembrance, so lumping it in with other arrangements may not be the best option.

With 138 years of experience The Johns-Carabelli Company is very familiar with regulations at most cemeteries in northeast Ohio regarding the size and type of memorials permitted in different areas of those cemeteries.

Step 2: Have a good understanding of the type of memorialization you prefer BEFORE PURCHASING cemetery property

It is wise to consult with a reputable company like The Johns-Carabelli Company before you purchase your cemetery property. This gives you an opportunity to discuss your monument style preferences and then find cemetery property that will accommodate those preferences. Considering the style of monumentation you prefer after the purchase of cemetery property may preclude certain choices because of the regulations in that area of the cemetery. Perhaps another location in that cemetery or a completely different cemetery altogether would have been more conducive to your memorial preferences.

Step 3: Visit the memorial studio before you buy

We recommend visiting a physical showroom to see styles, sizes, and materials available. Again, since this is an investment, it is best that you understand all the options and see your choices. A reputable company will not only have years of experience, but resources to be creative and help you design a memorial that is more than something picked out of a catalog. Our skilled craftsmen and designers bring this ability to all the families we serve. Working with an online company is never recommended and some cemeteries may not accept a stone from such sources.

Step 4: Choose a material that will stand the test of time

The majority of cemetery memorials created today are made of granite or bronze but that is only the beginning of the story. There is a vast range of quality from one granite to the next even though colors may look similar. Be sure to ask what makes a particular granite you are considering suitable for your memorial or monument. Artificial dyes, colors or other agents should never be used to enhance the color or shine of stone expected to last for generations.

Step 5: See a full-size drawing for approval

Once all your wishes are decided and solidified it is in your best interest to see a full size drawing for final approval. A full size drawing is the only way you can be sure that all the details are to your liking. A scale drawing will only give you a concept, not a true depiction and an image on a computer screen may bear little resemblance to the final memorial. A full size detail best helps you visualize the finished memorial and all of its elements. This is also your best assurance against any possible errors before the final work is completed on the stone.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can work with you to help you personalize a memorial or monument for your loved one.