Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
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Selecting the right monument depends on your aesthetic preferences, budget, and the specific rules of your cemetery. Options range from subtle flush and bevel markers to traditional slant markers, upright monuments, or specialized custom shapes. Our consultants work closely with you to guide you through materials, finishes, and size options so the final tribute honors your loved one's legacy while meeting all cemetery guidelines.
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We operate four convenient showroom locations across Central and Northeastern Wisconsin:
Medford – Medford Monuments
Rhinelander – Rhinelander Memorials
Shawano – Schneider Monument
Wausau – Norde Memorials
Walk-ins are always welcome during regular business hours, but scheduling an appointment ensures a dedicated Memorial Consultant is available to give your family uninterrupted time and personal guidance.
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There is no "right" time; some families prefer to wait a few months, while others find comfort in starting the process immediately. We also offer pre-planning services if you wish to select your own memorial in advance to relieve your family of future decisions.
Design & Customization
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A custom monument transforms stone into a deeply personal symbol of life, history, and family legacy. Personalization allows you to incorporate meaningful details—such as custom epitaphs, emblems, faith-based symbolism, hobbies, laser-etched photos, or unique portraits. Our design team works directly with you to craft a bespoke layout that reflects your loved one's exact story.
See examples on our Engraving vs. Etching page.
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We offer a wide range of custom options, including high-precision sandblasting, detailed hand-carving, custom laser etching for portraits and landscapes, bronze plaques, custom dieline shaping, and specialized granite color selections. We also specialize in culturally specific designs, such as traditional Hmong memorials.
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Absolutely. Our designers create a custom digital rendering for your approval. This allows you to see exactly how the layout, fonts, and imagery will look before any work begins on the stone.
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Memorial benches offer a beautiful, multi-functional alternative to standard markers by combining an enduring monument with a dedicated place for rest and reflection. They provide a peaceful, welcoming spot where family members can sit and remember their loved ones during cemetery visits. Bench markers can be customized in various granite colors and designs to complement any family plot. View our Memorial Benches Gallery
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A mausoleum represents the pinnacle of architectural permanence, providing a private, sheltered above-ground resting place for individual, companion, or multi-generational family interments. Mausoleums protect interments from the elements while offering a quiet, private space for descendants to visit and pay tribute for centuries to come. View our Mausoleums Gallery
Cemetery & Installation
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To help us create an accurate preliminary proof and streamline the ordering process, it is helpful to have:
The deceased’s full legal name, birth date, and passing date
The specific cemetery name, city, and exact lot/plot location
Any existing cemetery deed documents or guidelines, if available
Having these details ready allows us to verify local cemetery rules and size restrictions before design work begins.
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Yes. Every cemetery has specific bylaws regarding monument sizes, granite colors, foundation materials, and placement rules. Our team coordinates directly with cemetery officials throughout Northeastern and Central Wisconsin to verify regulations, submit artwork approvals, lay concrete foundations, and professionally set completed monuments in the cemetery.
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Yes. We perform on-site cemetery lettering and final date engraving. Our skilled technicians travel directly to the cemetery to match the existing font style, size, and depth of the original inscription without removing the monument from the site.
Payment & Logistics
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Because each custom memorial requires specialized granite selection, design approval, precision carving, and proper ground preparation, timelines generally range from 8 to 16 weeks depending on granite availability and cemetery scheduling. Memorial setting in Wisconsin is weather-dependent, with ground installations occurring primarily from spring through autumn when cemetery ground is unfrozen.
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We operate with clear, transparent pricing and no hidden fees. Standard orders typically require a deposit upon final layout approval to order the granite and begin hand-crafting or sandblasting your stone. The remaining balance is due prior to or upon final cemetery installation. Your Memorial Consultant will review all itemized costs—including granite, custom artwork, foundation fees, and cemetery permits—before anything is finalized.
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We accept all major payment methods, including cash, personal checks, and credit cards. We understand that organizing a lasting tribute often involves coordinating with family members or estate planners, and our team is happy to assist you with clear invoicing to make the process as seamless as possible.
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Our comprehensive quotes include professional setting and installation by our experienced crew. Any specific cemetery-mandated foundation fees or municipal permit charges are identified upfront during your consultation so there are never any surprises on your invoice.
Warranty & Quality Assurance
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Yes. We stand behind the quality and durability of every monument we craft. We use high-grade, quarried granite designed to withstand extreme weather, freezing temperatures, and natural elements for generations. Our memorials are backed by a manufacturer's warranty against cracking, checking, or structural defects caused by natural weathering.
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Our deep sandblasting and precision laser etching techniques are carved directly into high-density granite, ensuring your lettering, portraits, and custom designs remain sharp and readable over time. Unlike surface paint or printed graphics, deeply carved granite inscriptions will never wash away or fade.