The reason many families find selecting a memorial somewhat overwhelming, is there are many decisions to be made. The best thing to do is to break down the decisions into manageable pieces. To save you time, and to be sure you are making your decision from a knowledgeable perspective, Dodds Monuments has defined and prioritized the decisions with which you will be faced.

1) The first decision to be made is the style of memorial you would like. It is possible that decision has been made for you. Many cemeteries have restrictions and regulations which could determine what you can have. Dodds serves all faiths and all cemeteries. By identifying the cemetery, we can let you know what your options are and the type of memorials your cemetery allows.

2) Each cemetery also has a charge for either the installation of a marker or a concrete foundation which will support the memorial so it won’t sink or tilt over the years. Dodds Monuments will order and pay for those services on your behalf. The exact cost of that service will be itemized and added to your order. 

3) Once the style of memorial has been determined, there are several other decisions which will each play a factor in the cost of your memorial. 

Size -  As in most items you purchase, the size of the memorial is an important factor. Typically the larger the memorial the more it will cost, however; 

Color – Once you have determined a size, the price can double from the least expensive to the most expensive granite. As you walk through a cemetery, you will see a rainbow of colors from which memorials are made. Each color represents a different quarry from around the world. Dodds Monuments purchases granite from all over the United States and Canada, as well as China, India, Africa, Europe, and South America. Each quarry has it’s own unique problems in getting the granite out of the ground and manufactured. The type of quarry, the amount of waste due to streaking and fissures, plus the distance the granite must be shipped all are important factors in the cost of a memorial. 

Quality of granite – With all those colors available, there are differences in quality. Some granites absorb moisture and will darken in areas. Other granites can have deposits of iron ore, which can oxidize on the surface and cause unsightly spots over time. Other granites are large grained and not suitable for memorialization as the engraving does not present itself well. Dodds Monuments offers only quality granites they can guarantee.

Shape – Modern manufacturing methods have allowed the shapes of many memorials to vary tremendously, at costs less than were available in past years. The options of shapes seems to be limitless. Dodds Monuments has many types of newer shapes available, or will help you design a truly unique shape in a quality granite. 

Polish and Surface Treatments – There are several different types of finish which can be applied to granite. Historically, the more polish on a memorial, the more expensive it would be. Newer manufacturing equipment and methods have changed this in many colors. Rock pitch, steeled, polish, flamed, sunburst, and shellrock are several of the different treatments which can be applied to a surface to create a unique look. 

Lettering and Design – There are many types of designs and letters which are standard and are included in the price of a memorial. Hundreds of computer designs (CAD) are available. To be sure your memorial is exactly the way you want it to be, Dodds Monuments provides a scaled CAD drawing or an in shop approval of every memorial.

Personalization – Dodds Monuments specializes in the personalization of memorials. Special sandblasted designs, hand etched, laser etched designs are all ways Dodds Monuments offers to personalize your memorial. Whether it be a portrait, a vacation home, a favorite hobby, a carving of that car he worked for years to restore, or anything you might think of to make the memorial special – Dodds has the ability to convert any idea or artwork into beautiful and permanent memorial art.