FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. With all the brochures and letters I received, how can I be sure to do business with the right company?
The company must be knowledgeable, professional and willing to take the time to listen to your needs. Anyone who calls you just a few days after the funeral or urges you to make a hasty decision does not have your best interests in mind. We believe that only you know when the time is right. We often encourage families to postpone this decision when we find they are still grieving, so that the memorial you choose is one that you will cherish forever.
The best place to purchase your memorial is from a full service monument dealer, like Staten Island Monuments, Inc. A full service monument dealer is a professional memorial artist who only deals with monuments. We can help you design a memorial to best remember your loved one. Our business is only monuments, therefore we are the experts who can best assist you with this very important choice you have to make. A "middleman" trying to sell you a stone may contact you. It is in your best interest to visit your full service monument dealer before making your decision. It really makes no sense to purchase a monument from a "middle man", when you can go directly to the memorial professional. Remember, at Staten Island Monuments, we are specialists, let us help you with what we do best.
Q. I've never purchased a monument before. How do I know I'm buying the right one?
Like other major purchases, the purchase of a monument should be a family decision. At Staten Island Monuments, we sincerely want you to make an informed decision. We spend time with each family explaining the product and going over the options. We are dedicated to design a monument to fit your personal taste and budget.
Q. How long does it take to have a monument installed?
Most monuments are completed in six to eight weeks, from the time of ordering to installation in the cemetery. With a state of the art drafting system, we can expedite the process. Cemetery work schedules, weather and ground conditions may be a deciding factor for completion.
Q. When I visit the cemetery, why are some of the stones tipping or falling over?
Most often a poor foundation is to blame. A properly installed foundation must be square, level, and deep enough to withstand a deep winter frost and ground settling after a burial.
Q. Why is the concrete foundation so important?
The foundation must support the weight of the memorial and withstand the extremes of weather and temperature. An average monument can weigh nearly 2000 pounds.
Q. Do you remove the stone to add a name or date to it?
No. In most cases the inscription work can be done in the cemetery without moving the monument or disturbing the grave.
Q. Can arrangements be made over the phone or must we come to your office?
Most arrangements are made at our office, but some are made over the phone. When a family visits our office, having many monuments of all shapes, colors and sizes is very helpful in making a decision. Simple markers, duplication of an existing memorial, and lettering can usually be handled over the phone. We also offer home appointments for those who find it difficult to visit our office.
Q. Are all monuments allowed in all cemeteries?
Not any longer. Most cemeteries have rules and regulations. These differ from cemetery to cemetery, as well as within different sections of a cemetery. Please contact a member of our staff, and we will be happy to inform you as to what kind of stone is permissible for your loved one.
Q. What cemeteries do you serve?
We service the entire tri-state area, and ship worldwide.
Q. Do you do repairs to existing stones?
Yes. Let us take a look, we will give you a free estimate. Sometimes it is a simple restoration, or it may be more economical to replace the monument.
Q. How much does a monument cost?
Price depends upon the material and its quality, shape, size, design, lettering, and personalization of the monument. Prices will range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending upon the various styles of memorials. We can design a monument to fit any budget.
Q. Are all monuments and other stone products the same, regardless of where they are purchased?
No! Factors such as stone quality and carving quality are important. Granite and other stone material come out of the earth in varying quality grades. These grades are determined by the stone's overall appearance, color, pattern consistency, mineral content, and density. At Staten Island Monuments, we only use granite. Time has proven that granite is the most durable material for monuments. In addition, we use only the highest quality grades. Because we have direct buying relationships with our suppliers, we know who quarried the stone and we know its quality. Lastly, whether your monument is carved directly by the manufacturer in Vermont, or carved locally, you can rest assured that we will have only the most skilled craftsmen with many years of experience creating your monument. When you purchase your memorial from Staten Island Monuments, you can do so with confidence that it is made of the finest material available in the market and crafted by the best.