Granite Monument Design Decision #1 - Die Size and Shape
The die is the most visible part of any monument. It is important, therefore, to select the right size die to fit any required inscriptions, carvings, and graphics. A die sized too small will looked cramped and hard to read. A die sized too large will look overwhelming, may not fit on the cemetery lot, and will unnecessarily increase the cost of your monument.
Things to Consider when sizing a die:
• What sort of aspect ratio would look best for my memorial? (e.g. tall and slender, wide and short)
• How much text do I intend to put on the memorial?
• Is there room for carvings or special logos?
• Do I want something simple or extravagant?
• What is my lot size and do I have enough room for a large memorial?
• Is my lot size too large for the memorial I sized?
• Do I want my memorial to blend in with others in the vicinity of my lot or do I want to stand out?
• Are there any other size options that I might want to consider?
Monument Width
Memorials come in a variety of widths. Typical widths range from 2’6” to 5’6” and generally are sized on the even inch (e.g. 1’6”, 1’8”, 1’10”, etc.).
Monument Height
While any height memorial can be ordered, typical heights range from 1’6” to 3’ and are also sized on the even inch.
Monument Depth
A depth of 8” is typical for a memorial, however, 6” and 10” depths can be ordered and are priced accordingly.
| Standard Die Sizes (W x H x D) | |
|---|---|
| 2’6” x 2’0” x 8” | 4’0” x 2’0” x 8” |
| 2’8” x 2’0” x 8” | 4’0” x 2’6” x 8” |
| 2’10” x 2’0” x 8” | 4’6” x 2’0” x 8” |
| 2’10” x 2’6” x 8” | 4’6” x 2’6” x 8” |
| 3’0” x 2’0” x 8” | 5’0” x 2’6” x 8” |
| 3’0” x 2’6” x 8” | 5’0” x 3’0” x 8” |
| 3’6” x 2’0” x 8” | 5’6” x 2’6” x 8” |
| 3’6” x 2’6” x 8” | 5’6” x 3’0” x 8” |
Monument Shape (Face)
Although the standard shape for a monument is rectangular, granite monuments can be cut in any shape imaginable. To create a one of a kind monument, we generally start with a rectangular monument with flat faces (front and back) and start modifying the top and side contours.
Monument Shape (Top)
The two most common cuts are the straight and serp tops. Tops can also be cut with an oval, roof, ridge, and apex shape. The following table shows a graphic representation of each option.
| Monument Shape Options (Top) | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Straight Top | Serp Top | Roof Top |
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| Oval Top | Ridge Top | Apex Top |
Monument Shape (Sides)
Sides are usually cut straight although a cost effective alternative is the tapered end option. Fancier cuts include the convex, concave, single nosing, and double nosing end. The following table shows a graphic representation of each option.
| Monument Shape Options (Sides) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
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| Straight Sides | Tapered Sides | Concave Sides |
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| Convex Sides | Single Nosing Sides | Double Nosing Sides |