• Can the memorials be ordered with a cremains urn?
• What if we need an urn for two individuals' cremains?
• Do the cremation garden memorial prices include a bronze plaque?
• Who can we order the bronze plaque(s) from?
• Who determines the plaque layout if we order through Valley Monuments?
• If we order our plaques through Valley Monuments, can we request a proof?
• What advice do you have for the plaque epitaphs?
• What if our customer wants a plaque in a rock that's larger than the standard size?
• How many days does it take for an order? How will it be shipped?
• Once the memorials arrive, what's the best way to unpack them?
• How can we identify the different models when we receive them?
• We ordered memorials with urns. How are the cremains placed inside them?
• What's the best way to identify each memorial's location for the future?
• Should we worry about possible theft of the memorials?
• Can we get a display sample to show our staff and/or families?
How are the memorials manufactured and shipped?
The rugged castings are hollow, approx. one-inch thick, and open at the bottom. The rocks are 50-60 lbs., but are exact replicas of ones that would normally weigh 800-1,000 lbs). The trees weigh between 40-70 lbs. All are manufactured from construction-grade GFRC cast stone to withstand freeze-thaw conditions and 9,000 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure. Depending on quantities ordered, they are generally shipped via FedEx Ground in 350-lb. test, double-walled corrugated boxes using an industrial foam-in-place packaging system.
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We've only allowed granite and marble in the past. How many years will these last?
Due to modern high-performance polymers and other scientifically-developed, construction-grade admixtures, our GFRC cast stone replications are designed to last for decades and typically wear in the same manner with only minimal maintenance and care (primarily in climates with freeze-thaw conditions).
The memorial rocks and trees are actually some of the few products that will look better with age as the elements (i.e., rain, sun and snow) give them an even more lifelike, weathered appearance with each passing year.
It's important to note that a national expert in the restoration of historical monuments made from marble and granite such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (who represents the firm that did most of the artifact restoration for the HMS Titanic) has estimated GFRC cast stone products will last 100-150 years before requiring any restoration work. In fact, he said that is about the same duration after which monuments made from other materials such as marble and granite need work.
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Does the GFRC cast stone material require special care?
The only special care required is in climates with freeze-thaw conditions. Our cast stone formula includes moisture-proof admixtures and an industrial sealer has been applied to all surfaces. However, we strongly recommend purchasing from your local hardware or home improvement store a penetrating concrete sealer and applying it to the boulder (after gently washing it with mild, soapy water to remove dust) every 5-6 years for best protection against moisture intrusion and freeze-thaw cycles.
No chemicals or cleaning solvents should ever be used to clean the products. Care should be taken when unpacking, moving and installing the boulder(s), but if one should be accidentally scratched or chipped, the mark will likely disappear from view as natural weathering takes place over several months, similar to natural stone. However, easy-to-use scratch "kits" are available upon request.
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Is there a manufacturer's product guarantee?
A 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is offered for the lifetime of each memorial if the craftsmanship is found to be defective in any way (with the exception of naturally-occurring adjustments in color). Customers with a valid defective craftsmanship claim will receive an immediate replacement with an identical product once the product is returned and the claim is confirmed.
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How are the memorial rocks and trees colored?
Since detailed latex molds for the memorials are tediously taken from actual rocks and trees found in nature, Valley Monuments' customers expect that the color process used for them match the realism of the replica castings.
Their demand for quality is met by skilled craftsmen who enhance the GFRC cast stone with permanent natural shades using a proprietary coloring process which requires no special maintenance in the future. (In fact, as previously mentioned, customers are usually pleased to learn the colors of the memorials will actually appear more lifelike over the years with the helpful affects of the natural elements such as the sun, snow and rain).
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What choice of natural colors are available?
There are three natural colors to choose for the rocks and boulders: Slate Gray (popular in the Midwest and East Coast areas of the United States), Sandstone and Red Rock. The trees are offered in a choice of Gray or Red-Brown bark. Examples of these colors are available elsewhere on the website.
Cemeteries and memorial parks who place quantity orders of Valley Monuments' memorials for their cremation garden or trail projects should expect that our artists will slightly adjust the hue and shade of some models to give the entire collection a more natural appearance.
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Can the memorials be ordered with a cremains urn?
Yes, although it is not how most cemeteries prefer to use our memorials, for an additional charge each can can be ordered with a 250-cubic-inch, moisture-resistant internal receptacle for cremains already manufactured into it. The thick, industrial-grade polyvinyl chloride urn and threaded cap are accessed from under each model and opened and closed by hand so the cremains can be placed inside.
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What if we need an urn for two individuals' cremains?
Make this request at the time of ordering and, for an additional charge, the internal moisture-resistant, 250-cubic-inch urn will be extended to double the size so it can hold two sets of cremains. Please note the double urn normally will extend further below the bottom of the memorial and will therefore require that a small hole be excavated in the soil directly underneath where it is going to be finally placed so that the urn rests easily inside it.
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Do the cremation garden memorial prices include a bronze plaque?
Our order forms show prices at the bottom for the rocks and trees with or without a bronze plaque. You can order your plaques through your normal supplier, through our preferred foundry or through us (see below).
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Who can we order the bronze plaque(s) from?
Cemetery and memorial park customers who purchase our replicated rock products for their cremation garden projects or trails have three choices when it comes to ordering bronze plaques:
1). Place their plaque order with their normal bronze supplier using our size specifications,
2). Order their plaque with our specs from our preferred foundry Gasser/Olds (www.GasserOlds.com) or
3). Take advantage of our easy, "no-hassle" standard plaque ordering service which reduces the usual back-and-forth proofing steps between them and our foundry, saving valuable time!
For an affordable fee, we provide a faxed layout of the ordered standard plaque to our customers and, once final approval is received, it is transformed into a digital file--exactly as it was proofed--and sent electronically to Gasser/Olds' staff for immediate processing. (Normal turnaround for a standard plaque from Gasser/Olds is 15-20 business days).
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Who determines the plaque layout if we order through Valley Monuments?
We will determine the style, size, capitalization and layout of the text provided according to the plaque space available to ensure the most professional appearance possible unless a specific request is received from a customer for a particular layout at the time of ordering. It should be noted we are not responsible or liable in any way for misspellings or errors in fact contained in the information submitted by customers.
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If we order our plaques through Valley Monuments, can we request a proof?
Absolutely! It is standard procedure for us to fax a proof to our customers for their approval prior to the plaque being sent to the bronze foundry for casting.
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What advice do you have for the plaque epitaphs?
As much as someone is loved, recalling what made them special and summarizing those feelings after their death into a maximum of 10 lines of text can be challenging. However, as cemeterians know, experts agree that the process of writing a loved one's epitaph can often actually be comforting and essential to a normal grieving process.
Even today, many individuals will still simply put a person's name and dates of birth and death on a plaque or monument. However the generous amount of space on the 7 1/2" (W) x 5" (H) plaque that can fit into each memorial rock allows for a more detailed, meaningful expression of remembrance and we encourage families to take full advantage of the opportunity to let those viewing their sentiments in future years gain a better sense of the loved one's personality and what he or she meant to surviving friends and family.
You have been asked by families for advice on writing epitaphs many times before. We remind you that it is helpful to encourage your client to gather thoughts for the bronze plaque from friends or family face-to-face, on the phone or by e-mail. Their collective memories are certain to make it easier to create an epitaph that portrays the essence of the individual who has departed.
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What if our customer wants a plaque in a rock that's larger than the standard size?
Eight memorial rock models (CGD1 through CGD6 and CGD9-CGD10) can accommodate 11" (W) x 8 1/2" (H) bronze plaques, but they have to be special ordered from us so we can create a larger custom-chiseled space--at no charge--in the desired monument. We also offer four Estate Boulders, 300-400 lb. replicas of 2 1/2-ton rocks that can accept larger plaques up to 28" (W) x 22" (H) and are shipped on a pallet via common carrier.
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How many days does it take for an order? How will it be shipped?
The answer to this question depends on the quantity and the number of orders we already have scheduled for production. It can be as soon as 10 business days if ordering 1-10 memorials or 3-5 weeks or longer for an order of 300 or more. During your planning, upon request we will be able to give you a better estimate of our turnaround time according to the size of the order. It's our goal to work closely with our clients to meet any deadlines they might have as best as possible.
Since they can weigh between 40-70 lbs., all memorial rocks and trees are carefully packaged in 350-lb. test double-wall corrugated boxes using an industrial foam-in-place system to protect them during transit. They are then shipped via FedEx Ground. Arrangements for other types of packaging and shipping might be made according to quantity orders.
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Once the memorials arrive, what's the best way to unpack them?
First, it is the customer's responsibility to check for damage in the unlikely event something happened to it during shipping. (On the rare occasions there is damage, the customer must contact the manufacturer so a claim can be filed with FedEx who will want to immediately pick-up the item in it's original packaging to return to us prior to a replacement being sent).
Once the package is opened, the industrial foam-in-place packaging system material can be removed by breaking off or carefully cutting it away from the rock piece-by-piece and disposing of it. (Note: Traditional bubble-wrap or "peanut shell" material isn't suitable for shipping products as heavy as the memorials). Cutting and tearing off parts of the corrugated box often make it easier to access the hardened foam for removal.
Please remember, Valley Monuments is not responsible for any damage to the memorial rocks and trees when customers unpack or install them.
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How can we identify the different models when we receive them?
Upon request we can wire a label to the heavy, anti-theft metal eye bolt manufactured underneath each memorial with the model number written on it. Our products can also be identified using images available for viewing on this website, www.OurMemorialRocks.com or printed on our product sheets.
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We ordered memorials with urns. How are the cremains placed inside them?
If a customer orders our products with urns manufactured into them, before installing the cremains inside, place the memorial rock or tree on a soft surface such as carpet, grass lawn, towels or other padding. (Please remember, the manufacturer is not responsible for any damage to the memorials when customers unpack or place them).
The memorial should then be gently turned over to access the urn receptacle underneath. Next, as added protection against any moisture getting inside the urn, a role of Teflon Threaded Seal Tape should be wrapped four or five times in a clockwise direction (while looking at the urn opening) over itself on the threads located at the bottom of the urn near the hollow opening.
Once the cremains have been placed inside the urn, the white threaded cap can be hand-tightened onto the end of the urn. (Note: If a customer is concerned about complete security of the cremated remains, a tube of epoxy adhesive can be purchased in advance from a supplier and applied to the threads of the cap which will make it nearly impossible to unscrew the cap again without uncommon and destructive force).
Depending on the models ordered, once the urn is tightened together it is normal for it to extend out from the bottom of the memorial which simply requires that a small hole be excavated in the soil directly underneath where it is going to be finally placed so that the urn rests easily inside it.
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What's the best way to identify each memorial's location for the future?
For accurate record-keeping, and the benefit of pre-need sales staff who are required to know which monuments are sold or still available, it is obviously essential to map the exact location of each one.
Mapping out a cremation garden on a grid or other system of their choosing--depending on how densely the monuments have been installed--helps them know the whereabouts of each memorial which can be further identified by attaching a one-inch sequentially-numbered aluminum, steel or brass ID tag in a discreet location on the back-side of each rock or tree using epoxy adhesive. (These can cost approx. $3 each. Search the Internet for "Stainless Steel Tags" to find a supplier).
Cross-check identification of the memorials is also possible by keeping record of the individual sequentially-numbered cable seals underneath each rock or tree (but only if the cable seal system was used to connect our anti-theft chain to the heavy-duty metal eye bolt manufactured into each memorial as recommended below).
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Should we worry about possible theft of the memorials?
Once cemeterians see how realistic our products are, they often agree it's unlikely anyone is going to bother with what appears to be, say, a natural 800 lb. natural boulder that would require incredible effort to move.
However, if they feel it's necessary in their community, we will suggest to cremation garden and trail planners that they utilize the heavy-duty anti-theft metal eye bolts manufactured underneath each memorial. To use this feature, they purchase three items from a supplier in as much quantity as needed: 1). Sequentially-numbered "cable seals," 2). Quick-drying cement, and 3). Three-foot-long pieces of sturdy 2/0 or 3/0 straight link chain (75 cents-$1 per foot).
Note: Cable seals are constructed of a rust-proof aluminum body with sequential numbering and feature a heavy-duty 1/8" thick aircraft cable that can stand upwards of 3,000 lbs. of pressure. They are the same type recommended by a shipping industry advisory committee to the United States Departments of Homeland Security and Treasury to ensure the lock-tight safety of international ocean container cargo.
There are two main varieties of cable seals--One is a fixed length and can be fit to any size application. The other type is of a variable length, pull-through construction. Once the cable end is looped back through a hole in the seal body and pulled tight, a key is then inserted into the body and turned until it snaps off, leaving the head tightly recessed in the body and locking the cable in place. Once the cable is secured in either type, it can only be removed by bolt cutters. (They cost approx. $2 each. Search the Internet for "Cable Seal" or "Container Cable Seal" to find a supplier. We recommend shopping at www.Shippers-Mall.com for their Cable Security Seals: Mini Cable--Stock #CBLM0001).
They should then dig a hole below--but to the side of--where each memorial will be finally placed (leaving space directly beneath it for the cremains and/or urn vaults). Next they should use a cable seal to secure one end of the chain onto the metal eye bolt, fill the hole with the cement slurry, push as much of the remaining length of chain into the cement, and rest the memorials over the holes where the chain can dry in the cement and serve as an anchor.
Note: Due to their height, the trees should be buried 2-4 inches below ground-level for extra stability and to ensure their edges are hidden from view to add to their realism.
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Can we get a display sample to show our staff and/or families?
Absolutely! Industry professionals who see our realistic and durable products at trade shows agree "seeing is believing." That's why, for first-time customers, we offer a discount on a memorial rock and/or tree of their choice with a permanently affixed fictitious bronze plaque for display purposes only.
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