Frequently Asked Questions

At Minnesota Memorials, we are one of the few monument companies that take pride in providing custom designed memorials for each family we serve. We sit with you to help determine size, shape, type, color, and all the details to then come up with your perfect and personalized monument. This approach ensures that each memorial is as unique as the life it honors, allowing us to maintain complete quality control and deliver a product that will stand the test of time. 

Because our monuments are fully customized, your options are truly limitless. Our Monument Consultants will guide you through every step, making the experience easy, interactive, and comfortable. 

Our products include:

Bronze Memorial Markers

Cremation Memorials

Flat Markers

Pillow Markers

Memorial Slants

Memorial Benches

Upright Monuments

Columbariums

Mausoleums

Pet Memorials

Veterans Memorials

Reflection Stones

Temporary Markers

See them all in our PRODUCTS dropdown menu.

Creating a memorial involves several key steps, and each one is essential to ensuring the final monument is meaningful and durable. Here's an overview of the process:

1. Develop the Concept: The first step is developing the concept for the headstone. This involves discussing your ideas, preferences, and the message you want to convey. It’s a time to explore different options, such as the type of stone, overall design, and any special elements you’d like to include.
2. Create the Design: Once the concept is clear, the next step is to create the design. A Monument Consultant will work with you to translate your ideas into a visual representation. This could include selecting the shape, choosing a granite color, and deciding on the lettering style. Modern tools like CAD software may be used to create detailed renderings.
3. Review the Design: After the design is created, you’ll have the opportunity to review it. This step allows you to see the proposed design and make any adjustments or changes to ensure it fully captures your vision.
4. Approve the Design: Once you’re satisfied with the design, it’s time to give your final approval. This step is crucial as it confirms that every detail meets your expectations before moving forward with production.
5. Source Granite from Quarry: After approval, the raw material—usually granite—is sourced from a quarry. The specific type of granite you’ve selected is extracted and prepared for the next stages of the process.
6. Cut/Shape/Finish Granite: The raw granite is then cut, shaped, and finished according to the approved design. This stage involves precise craftsmanship to ensure the headstone's shape, size, and surface meet the specifications.
7. Carve and Letter Granite: Next, the headstone is carved and lettered. This is where the inscriptions, such as names, dates, and any chosen symbols or images, are added. Techniques like sandblasting or laser etching are used to create the desired effect.
8. Deliver and Install the Monument: The final step is to deliver and install the completed headstone to its location. Skilled professionals ensure the monument is securely placed and aligned correctly, marking the conclusion of the process and the beginning of its role as a lasting tribute. This process ensures that each monument is a unique and meaningful tribute, crafted with care and precision.

Yes! There are two main options for adding a photo to a memorial. Our expert staff will guide you to the best option for the monument you choose. The first option is a ceramic photo, which can be in full color, black and white, or sepia. Ceramics are recessed into a memorial, so they are flush with the granite. This is the most versatile option for photos. The second option for adding a photo to a monument is laser engraving. Lasers can only be used on Jet Black granite. The process of laser engraving allows for a great deal of versatility and creativity, customers may choose to meld multiple photos or keep it simple with a singular photo.

Granite colors from Minnesota include: 

Rainbow, Lake Superior Green, St. Cloud Gray, Mesabi Black, Autumn, from Ortonville.

Brown Rockville White from Rockville.

Diamond Gray from Isle and Bellingham.

See all granites HERE.

1. Preplanning your memorial is an important and meaningful way to alleviate the burden of memorial planning from your spouse, children and family members after your death. 
2. Preplanning your own memorial can help reduce emotional stress, financial burden, emotional overspending, and potential family conflict during an already difficult time for your loved ones. 
3. Not only that, but granite is a material that likely will increase in cost, so by purchasing today, you are locking in a much lower price than if it were to be purchased 20 years from now. 
4. It can also provide peace of mind that your wishes for your memorial will be carried out exactly as you want, including any personalization or specific memorial service choices, traditions, or customs you’d like included.

Contact us HERE with questions or to schedule a meeting.

Yes. You need to pre-purchase your cemetery lot before selecting your memorial. This should be the first step in any memorial planning process, as your memorial will need to comply with cemetery rules and regulations, and we are not allowed to store or hold any monument at our facility for future use or installation under state law. 

When considering purchasing a cemetery lot, consider these important factors:

1. Location (both of the cemetery itself and of the specific lot),
2. Type of cemetery (religious, civil/public, private, etc.)
3. Cost of a plot in that specific cemetery, 
4. Availability of plots in that cemetery
5. The specific rules and regulations regarding memorial styles in that cemetery
6. Cemetery maintenance standards

Contact us HERE with questions or to schedule a meeting.

No. Final date cuts (death date engraving) must be paid for at the time they are needed. Prepayment is only allowed for the monument or marker itself.

The cost of a monument is influenced by several factors, with the color of the granite being the most significant, as some colors are rarer than others. 

1. The shape and finish also impact the price, depending on the labor required. 
2. Another key factor is the quality of the granite. The origin of the granite is crucial, as some quarries or distributors may use dyes or other methods that compromise the stone's natural integrity. 
3. Additionally, there are different "levels" of quality within the same quarry; while lower levels may be less expensive, they often result in unusual patterns and structural issues like cracking or splitting. This can be a reason why sometimes, you will see a price difference from one monument company to another, even when quoting the same granite color. 
4. Special additions such as laser etching, ceramic photos, or bronze attachments can also increase the cost.

At Minnesota Memorials, the amount of lettering or sandblasting does not affect the price. We want you to include everything that is important to you on the memorial without worrying about additional costs. We also provide granite foundations free of charge to the families we serve, ensuring that the foundation beneath the monument remains reliable, with no worries about the inevitable cracking that will come with concrete.

Contact us HERE with questions or to set up a meeting.

We strive to make the process of creating a monument as easy and comfortable as possible, offering several options to suit your needs. 

1. You can visit our office, where we can design the monument together using a large display that allows you to see every detail. 
2. If you prefer, we can also work with you virtually through a Zoom call, making it convenient to design the monument from the comfort of your home. 
3. If you'd like a more personal touch, we're happy to come to your home for a visit and guide you through the design process there. 
4. We also offer group design seminars through churches and senior centers.

Whatever option you choose, we're here to support you every step of the way. Contact us HERE to schedule a meeting to design a monument for a loved one or get started preplanning yours.

Most cemeteries have their own regulations governing the size, design, and materials used for memorials. Before choosing a memorial, be sure to review the cemetery’s regulations to ensure that your chosen design is allowed. How many lots you own and the location are important. They also need to know if you plan on using traditional or a cremation burial.

Contact us HERE with questions or to schedule a meeting.

We do! Create A Legacy In Stone’s delivery and installation team covers a large portion of the Midwest. Our pricing includes shipping, delivery, and installation in the total cost of the memorial for all pieces, including the foundation. Any cemetery fees or state sales taxes are additional. 

We offer reduced pricing for any customer who wants to utilize outside contractors, or would like to handle shipping, delivery, or installation on their own. Some cemeteries require all foundation work to be completed by the cemeteries themselves. We also offer reduced pricing in these situations.

As a complimentary service, cemetery fees can be included as a pass-through option on your order. This convenient option keeps the order flowing smoothly through installation, preventing potential delays or issues. 

Customers also have the option to pay the cemetery directly, though this can lead to delayed delivery and installation. Our team will guide you through your options during the purchasing process.