The Piqua Granite and Marble Co., Inc.

Since 1882

Personal Monuments

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

 “Yesterday”

Walking through a cemetery, particularly one with a long history can be a truly special experience.  There one can develop an appreciation of the culture, literature, art, architecture, and personalities of individuals of past generations.   After  all, life  is  just  more  than  a  “dash” between the birth, and final date.

Cemeteries are places that invite participation---reading inscriptions to understand the concerns, aspirations and admonitions of people before us; touching monuments to experience what are often miniatures of architectural designs prevalent during one’s life, and reflecting on the cultural philosophies visible in the everchanging style of monuments people have chosen.  

Cemeteries provide a unique perspective on life. That explains why many enjoy visiting local cemeteries when they travel. In the small courtyard of a village churchyard or the rural cemetery they develop an understanding of the community’s attitudes and history. And few experiences match the thrill of discovering the monument of a famous individual or ancestor as one wanders through these old cemeteries.

Some monuments are so unique that people plan trips just to see them, for example the Pyramids of Egypt. They are not only burial places for leaders of the ancient world but in fact WONDERS OF THE WORLD today. People marvel at their construction and the preserved artifacts within have provided a microscopic view of an entire society.

While the Pyramids and other great monumental archectural wonders like the Taj Mahal represent the grandeur of monumental art, they share something very basic with monuments of all sizes and styles constructed through the ages, they were created to commemorate the lives of individuals and the respect or love others had for them.

Standing before these monuments it’s hard to imagine it all started with little more than stones stacked over a grave for protection. As man developed so did his concept of monuments. A craft was born that boasted such artisans as Michelangelo and Bernini.  And the monument has become a universal vehicle for commemorative expression while doing it through religious, architectural, artistic and literary standards of the time.  That philosophy continues TODAY!

“Today”

Traditions change, and some even disappear, but the tradition of personal monuments has weathered the changes of time like few others.  Now more than ever, people prefer to commemorate the lives of loved ones with personal monuments more than any other means.

This feeling has intensified recently as a result of the growing public interest in genealogy. But there have been other factors. Many bereavement counselors feel monuments can be important aids in the grief process. Monuments, they say provide a vehicle for family expression and a private place where loved ones may privately mourn.

The monument styles people choose today do have their own distinctive qualities separating them from cultures of other times.

Today’s memorials fall into three general categories;

Monuments,  markers, and family owned mausoleums.

Monuments, rising above the lawn level, have traditionally been the most prevalent. Many people choose the upright monument simply for the personalization flexibility that its greater space allows.

Markers, at lawn level usually represent burial identification for one person or specified by a specific cemetery or cemetery regulation. Available in Granite, Bronze and Bronze on Granite.

Family owned mausoleums are the largest of the monuments. Designed for single or multiple entombments, these have been attractive to families desiring an especially private interment location.  

The monument style, material and personalization one chooses, will always, remain an individual consideration. The only question that remains is which monuments provides the most personal satisfaction.

While monument styles have changed over the years, there is one facet of the tradition that has not—Hand Creation…

Technology has made it possible to develop a variety of tools for the craftsman to use, but monuments are still created by the stonecutters individuality. This personal care is as important to monument creation today as it was in the past and as it will be tomorrow.

“Tomorrow”

 A personal monument is designed as lasting tribute to the life of a loved one. Its ability to endure is directly related to the material quality and craftsmanship used to create it.

Most monuments are made of the finest natural stone, particularly Granite.  Granite is available in many colors, classified generally in the RED, BLACK and GRAY categories.

The granite color is dependent the iron content in the forming area.

Granite comes the U.S. as well as many areas throughout the world.  

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