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 memorial. This approach ensures that each memorial is as unique as the life it honors, allowing us to maintain complete quality control and deliver a monument that will stand the test of time. Because our monuments are fully custom, your options are truly limitless. Our memorial specialist will guide you through every step, making the experience easy, interactive and comfortable. 

We have put a great deal of thought into how we serve the families who come to us. Unlike most other monument companies, we are managed and operated by a licensed funeral director. We understand that this is one of the most difficult tasks you’ll face on your grief journey—creating a final tribute to your loved one that captures the essence of their life. Our goal is to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring that you never feel pressured by a salesperson, and to help bring a sense of healing as you complete this meaningful task.

Because we create completely custom memorials using only pure, high-quality granite, we can offer a forever warranty on our stones, guaranteeing that they will never fail due to the elements or any act of nature. Additionally, we provide a granite foundation at no extra cost for any monument we create, so you won’t have to worry about concrete cracking and causing the stone to tip.

Families consistently agree that we offer the highest level of service, the best quality, and the most customized stones at the most reasonable cost available. We look forward to the opportunity to assist you further!

Granite is sourced from both domestic and foreign quarries, depending on the color you choose, and it may still take several weeks to several months for the granite to arrive at our facility. Once the granite arrives, we will begin the creation process, after which the stone will be prepared for installation. Considering current shipping delays, the average turnaround time for your monument may range from 2 to 6 months, though some cases may fall outside this timeframe. While we do keep some pre-made memorials in stock to reduce turnaround time, our philosophy is that each life deserves a unique memorial. We avoid mass-ordering pre-made monuments, as this "cookie-cutter" approach compromises the level of customization and quality control we strive to provide.

In response to the ongoing shipping challenges, we’ve introduced a low-cost, quick memorial option for families who want something in place at the cemetery as soon as possible. This option is a black granite plaque, fully customizable with laser etching, and mounted easily with a steel post, priced at $300. Once your design is submitted and approved, it can be created and shipped directly to you within 2 weeks. This plaque can later be taken home and placed in your garden or another meaningful location. Please reach out to see examples of this option.

Granite is an igneous rock with grains are enough to be seen with the naked eye. Granite is usually lighter color in its natural form and is created from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earths surface. It is made up mainly of quartz and feldspar. There are also minor amounts of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals. Due to its mineral composition, granite may appear as red, pink, gray, or white with dark mineral grains visible throughout the rock. It is the most popular and best known rock as it is the most common ingenious rock found at the earths surface. 

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

1. 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 Design: Once the concept is clear, the next step is to create the design. A memorial specialist 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: 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. Approval: 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. 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: 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: 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. Delivery and Installation: The final step is delivering the completed headstone to its location and installing it. Skilled professionals ensure the headstone 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 headstone 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:  Ortonville, MN – Rainbow, Lake Superior Green, St. Cloud Gray, Mesabi Black, Autumn. Rockville, MN – Brown Rockville White. Isle, MN & Bellingham, MN – Diamond Gray.

Pre-planning a memorial is an important and meaningful way to alleviate the burden of memorial planning on your spouse, children and family members after your passing. Pre-planning 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. Not only that, but granite is a material that likely will increase in cost, by purchasing today you are locking in a much lower price than if it was purchased 20 years from now. It can also provide personal 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.

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 important factors like location (both of the cemetery itself and of the specific lot), the type of cemetery (religious, civil/public, private, etc.) the cost of a plot in that specific cemetery, the availability of plots in that cemetery, the specific rules and regulations regarding memorial styles in that cemetery, and the cemetery’s maintenance standards.

No. Federal law does not allow “pre-paying” for future dates of passing. By law, all cemetery engravings of passing dates must be paid for at the time they are needed.

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. The shape and finish also impact the price, depending on the labor required. 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. 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. 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.

We strive to make the process of creating a monument as easy and simple as possible, offering several options to suit your preferences and comfort. You can visit our office, where we can design the monument together in person using a large display that allows you to see every detail. 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. Additionally, 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. Whatever option you choose, we're here to support you every step of the way.

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.

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 wanting to utilize outside contractors, or if a customer 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 of paying the cemetery directly, though this can lead to delayed delivery and installation. Our team will guide you through your options during the purchasing process.