Granite

Granite is the most commonly used material starting in the mid-1800s to the present, and is available in a wide variety of traditional gray (light and dark), black, red, pink, browns, greens, and near whites. 

Granite is also the most durable of gravestones.  

The red stones contain a small amount of oxidized iron. Granite that ranges from  bright red to pink in color usually come from Missouri, and the darker red stones are from Wisconsin. Grey stones are quarried mainly in New Hampshire. Granite lettering is resistant to deterioration, and the stone does not erode. Modern techniques make it easy to carve, and lasers allow etching of personal images to tell your life’s story. 

Granite is used either alone or as a base for a bronze plaque.  

The below samples are the most popular and common types of granites available.  Additional granite types and colors are available —  call for prices and details.

Marble has been used for centuries and is well known for its classical look.

 White is the most popular color used in monuments and typically has various degrees of gray and blue veining, but can also be black with white veins .   

But marble began to fall out of favor when weathering made it difficult to  read. Acid rain has become the main enemy of this stone causing the surface to become grainy and the lettering on the stone to slowly fade away.