Frequently Asked Questions - Bronze Markers and Plaques

Please talk with your sales or family service professional to learn more about the specific size, type and style of markers we have available for you to choose. We can also let you know at that time about pricing, any policies, regulations and other important information regarding purchasing a marker.

Our "New Generations" series of bronze markers gives individuals the flexibility to affordably include a complete amount of "text-that-fits" (that is, as much text as the size of the marker and artwork will attractively allow), usually without a significant increase in the overall price of the marker.

We prefer not to give direction on the exact number of words you can have on your marker since it depends on the artwork desired, final size of each letter and how much area the different character sizes take up, but we encourage you to take a balanced approach of not too many, or too few, words so there is the best chance that everything will adequately fit.

If there are more words than space available, you might be asked to edit the epitaph so that it fits more attractively on the particular sized marker being ordered.

Note: Some poems, verses and phrases are copyrighted and therefore protected by law from use without permission from their owner(s). It is your responsibility to ensure any copyrighted material that you want to appear on your marker has received prior permission from the appropriate owner(s) before it is submitted to us for casting in bronze.

Certainly! We know from experience that it can be difficult, and even frustrating, for surviving friends and family members to try to come up with "just the right words" at a time that's often full of emotions and so many other decisions to be made. That's why we've prepared an "Epitaph Examples" section on this website where you can see different verses to help inspire your thoughts for one. Visit the "Epitaph Examples" page to view a collection of epitaphs which is updated as new ones are added.

Please visit the "Design Themes" of this website to see categories of artwork to accompany your epitaph. Since the "New Generations" designs are in digital form, the artwork can be reduced or enlarged according to the amount of text in the epitaph you decide upon. If you don't see what you like, make a special request and our designers will do their best to find the appropriate art to complement the epitaph you have written.

We have a talented team of graphics specialists who look forward to receiving your desired text, art theme choice and any other custom preferences you might have so they can thoughtfully prepare a timely layout of your cast bronze marker for review, changes and approval prior to submitting it to the foundry.

Unless specific lettering or "font" sizes and styles, punctuation, capitalization and/or other direction is provided, customers agree to allow our design team the flexibility to use their experience and discretion to create the most attractive layout possible given the amount of text submitted, the artwork desired and the space available.

As previously mentioned, we prefer not to give direction on the exact number of words you can have on your marker since it depends on the artwork desired, final size of each letter and how much area the different character sizes take up, but we encourage you to take a balanced approach of not too few, and too many, words so there is the best chance that everything will fit well.

If there are more words than space available, you might be asked to edit the epitaph so that it fits more attractively on the particular sized marker being ordered.

Absolutely! In fact, photos--or round 3 1/2" US military service seals--reproduced on durable and brilliant ceramic or porcelain ovals and mounted in open raised bronze frames on a marker are a wonderful way to remember a loved one whether the photo is in full color, black & white or sepia tone (the slightly faded brown color of many old-time photos that represents the unique look of a bygone era).

We have the 3 1/2" seals of each branch of the US military ready to use, but if a photo of a loved one is desired, we need a quality copy--preferably not an original--of the best photo available printed by a photo studio or photo processing service. It's important to the final appearance of the ceramic oval that the photo is not blurry, otherwise out-of-focus or taken in bad lighting so that it's dark and shadowy.

You might want to think about the fact that some feel it's better to not have a ceramic photo on the marker at all if the photo to be used is of poor quality and doesn't attractively present the individual(s).

There are two options for sending it to us: 1). Visit us with the photo or mail it via a trackable source (i.e., UPS, FedEx) to our address, or 2). Have the photo scanned at 300dpi (dots per inch) resolution at the ideal size of 4 1/4" W x 6" H by someone who understands the proper way to scan photos and e-mail it to us (call and we'll provide you with the e-mail address or will give you other instructions). Your photo will be returned once the ceramic oval has been completed by our manufacturing partner if it wasn't given to us in digital form.

A handwritten signature in bronze looks great on a marker, whether used to replace the individual's name in hard type or added at the bottom of the marker as an artistic element. Please provide your sales or family service professional with a clean copy of the signature to be used, preferably on a white background, and--if the sample is deemed to be of suitable quality to successfully be cast in bronze--our design team will include it in the layout for your approval after it is received by them via mail or e-mail.

Our "New Generations" series of markers is designed to limit the confusion often caused by having too many choices involved with ordering a bronze marker or plaque such as background textures and colors, border styles, and types and sizes of lettering fonts to be used. Instead the series emphasizes what many of our customers have told us is more important....the number of words that will appear on their marker to remind friends, family and others in the future what truly mattered about the loved one they have lost.

Although we still offer markers with the classic look of a traditional epitaph and brief verse, we are also pleased to offer you the "New Generations" alternative featuring more generously-worded epitaphs and customized artwork for those who want the freedom to express themselves more completely.

Simply let your sales or family service professional know in advance during the ordering process and they will ask our designers to follow your instructions as closely as possible. Some typical requests are to have all letters capitalized, to center some or all of the text or perhaps align it in a certain manner (such as with a poem), to put certain words in a handwritten script font to create a sense of elegance, etc.

You don't have any special requests? Don't worry, the majority of those ordering a "New Generations" marker don't either. In fact, they seem to enjoy the simplicity of giving the design team the freedom to create a customized layout that usually meets with their immediate approval. We think you'll appreciate the care and thoughtfulness our staff puts into your design, whether you provide specific direction or not.

Yes, you will. Our designers strive to create an initial proof for your review in hours, not days. Of course this depends on the number and complexity of other marker designs being worked on, but we understand the sooner you can approve the design so it can be submitted to the bronze foundry the sooner you can turn your attention to other important matters.

Your sales or family service professional will let you know the easiest way to see your marker layout based on our normal policies and past experience with the proofing process. Sometimes we require a visit to our offices so we can answer any final questions and get a signed approval in-person. If it's more convenient, we sometimes fax, mail or e-mail the proof. Again, please talk to us and we'll see what's most efficient for everyone involved.

We often require that the changes be indicated in writing on the proof itself, but sometimes it's as easy as explaining to your sales or family service professional by phone or e-mail and he or she will inform the design team. If changes are needed, we will prepare a new proof for your review and approval unless the changes are minor and you indicate you don't need to see another proof.

We have a variety of different pricing options and policies to allow us to provide all of our customers with the best service possible. Please ask your sales or family service professional about our pricing and any particular questions that you don't see here for a more detailed explanation.

Sometimes a change of heart, overlooked details that should have gone on the marker or the realization that some of the text had errors in fact causes the request for an adjustment in the marker after it has already been approved and submitted to our bronze foundry.

Although this is understandable, our customers should acknowledge that they will be responsible for the charge to make a change, a cost that largely depends on what phase of production the marker is in when the change is requested. For example, a change needed within hours of approving the initial marker proof might not require any charge at all while one requested a day after the approval might still be minimal.

However, if a change is required many days after approval of the proof, it might be too late and any alterations at that point might mean the marker has to be completely recast and/or refinished, resulting in a substantially higher cost to make the change. Since changes to a marker after your approval is handled on a case-by-case basis, please talk to your sales or family service professional for more details.

Although we do our best to proofread and check for errors ourselves as well, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure the information, spelling and other elements of the marker meet your satisfaction before approving the proof. As previously mentioned, any errors discovered, or changes needed, after the marker has been approved and submitted to the foundry will normally cause an additional cost that will be your obligation.

Please talk with your sales or family service professional to learn more about other types and styles of markers we might have available for you to consider. We can also let you know at that time about pricing, any policies, regulations and other important information regarding purchasing a marker.

Since the hallmark of our "New Generations" series is the generous amount of text and artwork the bronze markers can accommodate, we prefer not to offer vases in the markers since we feel the limited space on a marker is better used for more complete expressions of celebration. However, if requested, a 9" high bronze urn ( 4 1/2" in diameter) is available for an extra charge.

Depending on the number of other markers and plaques in production at our bronze foundry, it usually takes 4-5 weeks (20-25 business days) for each one to be cast and finished from the date you approve the proof. An additional week is needed for shipping to the final destination. This is an approximate--and not guaranteed--timeframe and shouldn't be strictly relied upon, particularly if planning an unveiling or dedication ceremony.

Certainly! For an additional fee, our bronze foundry can shorten the 20-25 business days it usually takes to cast a bronze marker or plaque to approx. 10 business days with another 5 business days required for shipping (unless overnight or express shipping is arranged in advance). Tell us know what your specific deadline is and we'll let you know your options.

As long as the marker meets a cemetery's specifications, they know they are required by federal law to accept the marker, even if it was purchased elsewhere. It is your responsibility to contact a cemetery or memorial park's administrators to ensure the marker you plan to order meets their various criteria.

Bronze markers are commonly mounted on granite or concrete bases or in poured wet concrete slabs. Please talk with your sales or family service professional to learn more about policies, options and prices.

Experienced staff will handle this important step. Please talk with your sales or family service professional to learn more about normal procedures, policies and fees involved. We're here to help!

We encourage you to take a walk around a cemetery or memorial park to see for yourself the natural changes that occur to bronze over the years.

You will see recently installed markers and plaques with their paint and letters looking fresh and new while others--that have been at the property for many more months and years--will feature varying degrees of the greenish patina, appearing on the surface only, for which both copper and timeless bronze have been known for thousands of years.

Most bronze foundries, including ours, will apply a polyurethane-based protective coating after a marker is cast, finished and ready to ship. However, even this protective coating will gradually wear off over a period of time by the elements (sun, snow, rain) at a pace that's determined by the local climate. This is natural and results in the traditional patina surface tint of aged bronze, a look prized by collectors of ancient bronze art, that actually helps to form a barrier against corrosion in future decades.

None, if you prefer to let the marker age gracefully over the years so that it eventually achieves the classic green-tint patina appearance so cherished by bronze enthusiasts.

If you would like to remove dust and grime from the marker, when visiting the grave site remember to bring some distilled water and a soft cloth for that purpose. Nothing abrasive should ever be used. Talk to a specialist or research the Internet for other products and techniques such as the use of mineral oil or virgin olive oil if you want to take a more hands-on approach to protecting your marker.

Depending on policies at the time, some families may be able to purchase a "pre-need" marker for two people called a "companion marker", typically for a husband and wife while one or both are still living.

If one or both of the individuals haven't passed away yet and the ability is desired to add the date(s) of death to the marker later, for an additional charge a replaceable "scroll" (a bronze plate with cast lettering screwed into drilled and tapped holes in the marker) can be ordered.

This scroll normally displays just the person's date-of-birth while he or she is living and when that individual's life has completed the scroll is removed, sent to the foundry (so the original screw holes can be matched up accurately) and replaced with a new scroll that now displays both the date-of-birth and death information.

Since changes needed after a marker has already received your approval are handled on a case-by-case basis, please talk to your sales or family service professional for more details.