How to Choose a Memorial Headstone in Central New York

Families looking for memorial headstones in Central New York may have questions about monument styles, granite colors, inscriptions, cemetery requirements, and installation. Understanding the available options can make the process feel more manageable.

Here are several important considerations when selecting a lasting memorial.

1. Begin With the Cemetery’s Requirements

Before choosing a monument, confirm the rules of the cemetery where it will be installed. Each cemetery may have its own requirements for:

• Monument dimensions

• Permitted materials

• Upright or flat memorials

• Foundations

• Placement

• Installation procedures

• Additional inscriptions or decorations

Some cemetery sections permit upright headstones, while others require flush markers that sit level with the ground.

BEC Memorials works with cemeteries throughout Clinton, Herkimer, Utica, the Mohawk Valley, and Central New York. Local experience can help families choose a memorial that satisfies cemetery requirements while still creating a meaningful tribute.

2. Select the Right Type of Memorial

Memorials are available in several styles. The right choice depends on personal preferences, cemetery regulations, the burial plot, and how much space is needed for lettering and artwork.

Upright headstones

An upright headstone is one of the most traditional monument styles. It consists of a vertical granite tablet placed on a base. Upright memorials provide space for names, dates, inscriptions, symbols, and custom artwork.

Slant markers

A slant marker has a polished face that angles upward for easier reading. It offers some of the presence of an upright headstone while maintaining a lower profile.

Bevel markers

Bevel markers—sometimes called hickey markers—sit close to the ground with a gently sloped face. They offer greater visibility than a completely flat marker while maintaining a modest appearance.

Flush markers

A flush or flat marker is installed level with the ground. These memorials have a simple, timeless appearance and are required in some cemetery sections.

Memorial benches and mausoleums

Families may also consider a custom granite bench or mausoleum. Cemetery approval should always be confirmed before selecting one of these options.

3. Choose a Granite Color and Finish

Granite is widely used for cemetery monuments because of its beauty and durability. It is available in colors that range from traditional gray and black to red, rose, blue, and mahogany tones.

The granite color can influence the overall appearance of the memorial and the visibility of its lettering or engraved artwork. Families may want to consider the surrounding monuments, personal preferences, and the type of engraving they plan to use.

Polished, textured, and natural stone finishes can also be combined to give a monument greater depth and distinction.

4. Personalize the Inscription

The inscription is at the heart of a memorial. It typically includes the person’s name and important dates, but it can also communicate something meaningful about their life.

Personalization options may include:

• A favorite quotation

• A short epitaph

• Religious symbols

• Flowers or nature scenes

• Military or civic emblems

• Professional or organizational symbols

• Family names

• Meaningful artwork

• A laser-engraved portrait

Precision laser engraving makes it possible to reproduce detailed images and designs on suitable granite. Traditional lettering and sandblasted designs can also create an elegant, lasting tribute.

The best inscription does not need to be lengthy. A few carefully chosen words can express love, faith, character, or remembrance.

5. Think About Individual and Family Needs

A memorial may be created for one person, a couple, or several members of a family. Planning ahead can ensure there is enough room for future names, dates, or inscriptions.

Companion monuments commonly recognize two people. Larger family monuments can establish a shared focal point for multiple burial spaces.

BEC Memorials can help families consider the available space and create a balanced design that accommodates both present and future lettering.

6. Review the Design Before Production

A memorial should reflect the family’s wishes before the stone is engraved. Reviewing a design proof allows you to confirm:

• Correct spelling of every name

• Accurate birth and death dates

• Placement of inscriptions

• Lettering styles

• Artwork and symbols

• Overall balance and spacing

Take the time you need during this stage. Asking questions or requesting an adjustment is a normal part of creating a custom memorial.

7. Choose an Experienced Local Memorial Company

Creating a cemetery monument involves more than selecting a piece of stone. It requires design knowledge, careful craftsmanship, coordination with the cemetery, and respectful installation.

A local memorial company understands regional cemeteries and the effects that Central New York weather can have on stone and foundations. Working with an experienced team also gives families a nearby resource for future lettering, cleaning, resetting, or restoration.

Custom Headstones and Monuments in Central New York

Burdick-Enea-Cacciatore Memorials has served Central New York families for more than 100 years. BEC Memorials creates custom granite headstones, cemetery markers, monuments, memorial benches, and mausoleums with careful attention to craftsmanship and personalization.

Additional services include:

• Custom monument design

• Traditional lettering

• Precision laser engraving

• Memorial cleaning and restoration

• Stone repair and resetting

• Foundation leveling

• Additional names and dates

BEC Memorials serves families throughout Clinton, Herkimer, Utica, New Hartford, Frankfort, Ilion, Mohawk, Rome, Little Falls, Boonville, Syracuse, and surrounding Central New York communities.

Let BEC Memorials Help You Create a Lasting Tribute

You do not need to make every decision alone. The experienced team at BEC Memorials can explain your options, answer questions, and help you create a fitting tribute that honors your loved one’s life and legacy.

Visit one of our Central New York locations or contact us through our website to begin designing a personalized memorial.

Clinton location
D.H. Burdick & Cacciatore Memorials
56 Utica Street
Clinton, NY 13323

Herkimer location—by appointment
Burdick & Cacciatore Memorials
4687 State Route 5
Herkimer, NY

Website: dhburdick.com