Full Memorial
Referring to the sketch, the kerb is the exposed material that surrounds the perimeter of the grave. Kerbing is normally made of solid granite but can be concrete, marble, sandstone, stainless steel or other substantial material. In some cases, kerbing can be concrete that is covered with a thin layer of granite, marble, sandstone or even ceramic tiles. For reasons of beauty, longevity and low maintenance, we strongly recommend solid granite. The kerbing is mounted on a concrete footing or foundation, which is normally not seen. Due to local soil conditions, some cemeteries insist that the foundation is supported on steel-reinforced concrete bored piers that go down to at least the depth of the grave. The 2 cubes on the ledger panel in the above sketch are flower vase holders. They are completely optional, available in many styles and may be located anywhere on the full memorial. They may be built into the headstone base.
The ledger panel is the full slab of material that is installed on the kerbing and covers the grave opening. A ledger panel can be made up of a number of smaller panels that are joined together. A ledger panel is normally made of solid granite but can be concrete, marble, sandstone, stainless steel or other substantial material and must be sufficiently strong to be self supporting. A granite ledger panel would normally be at least 50mm thick. In cases where a grave is designed to hold more than one person, provision must be made to remove and replace the ledger panel. Provided the cemetery concerned is agreeable, some people will choose to grow a garden within the confines of the kerbing or cover the area within the curbing with pebbles of a colour and type of their choosing. These options may cause long term maintenance problems which the cemetery concerned may not be prepared to accept.
In the sketch above, a block headstone has been mounted on top of the ledger panel. The headstone could also be an upright headstone, like the memorial on the right, or any other shape of headstone that you desire. We have a comprehensive range of standard shaped headstones that are suitable for full memorials that you can select and design online. We can also supply a wide range of custom shaped headstones for this purpose. It is not necessary to mount the headstone on the ledger panel. In many cases, the headstone is mounted at the head of the grave, on a base which is mounted on the kerb. Often, the headstone is mounted directly onto the kerb. In these cases, the ledger panel butts up to the base or the headstone. It is not essential to even have a headstone. The inscription could be laser etched or sand blasted directly into the face of the ledger panel or could be provided by way of a plaque that is attached directly to the ledger panel or mounted on a stand which is attached to the ledger panel or kerb. We have the ability to laser etch a single piece of black granite 2400mm x 1200mm which allows us to laser etch the full ledger panel with your chosen text, images and or motifs.
Provided you require a headstone or plaque of our standard shape and style, you can design your headstone or plaque using the exclusive design section of our website relative to the product style that you require. However, there are many other variables associated with a full memorial. Please contact us directly by phone or email so that we can help you custom design your full memorial.
Should you require a non standard headstone as shown on our website or require some other shape of headstone or plaque, please contact us directly by phone or email so that we can help you custom design your full memorial.
Laser etching can only be done successfully on black granite. Provided laser etching is not required granite is available from a range of 30 different colours as well as sandstone.
Installation
Installation of your full memorial can be arranged in most cemeteries throughout Australia.
Sandstone and Granite Colours
Sandstone and Granite are natural products. As such, the colour and pattern of the product supplied may vary from the samples shown.
Sandstone
White Carrara
G633
Kashmire White
G439
G623
G640
G654
G660
G788
G9426
Noble Grey
Grandee
African Black
Starlight Black
Adelaide Black
Gold Spot Black
Premium Black (Laser Grade)
Darwin Brown
Sapphire Brown
African Red
Balmoral Red
Imperial Red
Rose Red
Multi Red
Noble Red
Chinese Calca
English Brown
Paradiso
Blue Pearl
Vizage Blue
Emerald Pearl
Imperial Green
Yansheng Green
Cemetery Requirements
Various cemeteries have different requirements and limitations on the size of headstones that they allow to be installed on their property. There is no reason why a Forever Shining laser-etched black granite headstone cannot be installed in any cemetery. Before an order is placed for one of our headstones these issues should be discussed between the customer and the cemetery to ensure that the needs of all parties are satisfied.
Trademarks and Copyrights
If there is a trademark or copyright associated with an image or logo that is required on a headstone, please ensure that written permission for us to reproduce the image or logo is provided by the owner of the trademark or copyright and that permission is supplied with the order. The order will not be processed without that permission.