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As you grieve the loss of your dear loved one, you may also be in charge of organizing a memorial service. We understand this ceremony won’t bring your loved one back. However, creating a customized service is one of the best moments to keep their legacy alive and provide a space for those mourning your loved one’s loss to grieve together. Our guide will give you a few simple ways to make their memorial truly special. 

Why Do Families Personalize Their Memorial Services?

Many families choose to personalize their memorial services because it makes the ceremony a lot more meaningful. A memorial or funeral is the last chance to say goodbye and remember all the joy, love, and laughter they brought into everyone’s lives. Personalizing it lets you incorporate their favorite music, interests, or anything else they would have loved before passing away.

4 Unique Ways To Customize Your Loved One’s Memorial Service

If you’re ready to create a unique memorial service, here are five meaningful ways to add  personal touches that reflect your loved one’s spirit:

Choose A Personalized Headstone

A high-quality, customized headstone or monument is a lasting tribute to your loved one that will stand the test of time. You can use countless features to personalize it, including symbols, emblems, or inscriptions that will add a meaningful touch. It’s an enduring way to honor your loved one’s individuality and impact on those around them.

Add Their Favorite Flowers

A gorgeous arrangement of fresh flowers could add beauty and a powerful message to your loved one’s memorial service. Incorporate some of their favorites along with some iconic blooms with a special meaning, such as roses and marigolds. Adding this personal touch can create a special connection with your loved one and show how much you still care.

Create A Tribute Video Or Slideshow

Do you want to go down memory lane and reminisce about your loved one? Creating a heartfelt tribute video could be a great way to keep their story alive. Gather some of your favorite videos, pictures, or mementos to highlight their happiest moments with family and friends. This fun tribute could bring back old memories that will make everyone remember their beloved friend or loved one in a positive light.

Choose A Unique Location

Where you decide to host your loved one’s memorial service could be a powerful way to customize the event. For example, if your loved one would relax at a specific beach or area in their yard, consider organizing your service at that location! This approach could create a memorable experience and links the service to a place your loved one felt comfortable in.

Honor Your Loved One’s Legacy With A Unique Memorial Service

Your loved one’s life was unique, so why not cherish it by creating a memorial service they would’ve loved? Whether it’s their favorite flowers or a tribute video commemorating their life, these personal touches have a profound impact. Eternal Memorials has offered high-quality monuments and memorial services to grieving families across Long Island, NYC, and beyond since 1914. Please reach out and contact us if you have any questions or to schedule an initial consultation today.

When planning your memorial, choosing the perfect burial is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. From an elaborate mausoleum burial to a simple cremation, plenty of choices can fit your and your family’s budget and personal preferences. Learn more about the main types of burial options and how to choose one that’s right for you.

What Should You Consider When Selecting A Burial?

Before settling on a specific burial type, there are a few factors to remember. For starters, think about your loved one’s personal beliefs, values, and preferences. For example, if they wanted a traditional burial and a religious service, honoring their wishes could be the best way to respect their legacy after they pass on.

Your personal budget is another crucial factor you need to keep in mind. A direct cremation can cost between $2000 and $5000, while traditional burials usually cost more. If you’re flexible, you can find an appropriate burial that’s within your price range and reflects your loved one’s final wishes.

4 Types Of Burial Options To Choose From

If you’re still having trouble deciding on which burial option to go with, here are a few of the most common ones available:

Traditional Burial

Traditional burials are the most common option, and it’s the first one most of us consider when planning a memorial. The process involves selecting a cemetery plot and a casket to bury your loved one. Since in-ground burials have headstones or grave markers, they give you plenty of room to customize something that can truly honor your loved one’s memory.

Green Burial

Green burials could be a great option if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly and natural alternative to traditional burials. Instead of embalming the body or other non-biodegradable materials, it’s placed in a biodegradable coffin or shroud. Many green burial sites avoid using artificial pesticides and dig the burial plots by hand, reducing their carbon footprint.

Above Ground Burial

If you live in a larger city with less space for traditional burials or your loved one prefers not to be buried underground, using a mausoleum or crypt would be the best alternative. Some families also use mausoleums to rest alongside their loved ones. While mausoleums are typically more expensive than burials, you’ll have the luxury of visiting your loved one anytime, regardless of the season.

Direct Cremation

Direct cremation is a simple and inexpensive way to handle someone’s remains. Once you receive your ashes, you can scatter, bury, or preserve them in a special urn. This option is perfect for those who want flexibility and prefer a more intimate, nontraditional ceremony to say their final farewells to their loved ones.

Choose The Perfect Burial For Your Loved One

Selecting a burial for your loved one can be complicated. Thankfully, there are many burial options to choose from when creating a special memorial for them. Our experts at Eternal Memorials offer premium memorial services and monuments to grieving families across NYC, Long Island, and beyond. Don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website for more information about our services.

Losing a family member or loved one is a heartbreaking experience, and it can be hard to continue your life as usual after such a significant loss. But remember, you have many ways to honor your loved one’s legacy well after they have passed on.

Leaving flowers at their burial site is a thoughtful gesture that lets you pay tribute to those you care about. From dark red roses to bright carnation wreaths, you have endless choices depending on the season and the message you’re trying to express. Our quick list will give you a brief overview of some popular options you can choose from.

5 Stunning Flowers For Your Loved One’s Gravesite

With so many flowers available, finding the perfect ones for your loved one’s grave can get overwhelming. Here are five options you should consider:

Marigolds

Marigolds generally bloom in warmer weather and come in vibrant shades of amber, orange, and yellow. Aside from their gorgeous appearance, these flowers have had a special place in memorial services for centuries. For this reason, these colorful flowers are an ideal choice to honor your loved one’s grave.

Roses

A traditional rose bouquet is another well-loved choice for any funeral. However, roses come in different colors, each expressing a different sentiment. During memorial services, dark red or burgundy roses symbolize deep love and grief for the person you lost. On the other hand, pink roses represent a feeling of gratitude and thankfulness to the deceased.  

Lilies

From the Romans to the ancient Greeks, lilies have been a reminder of purity and harmony across many cultures throughout history. In funeral services, this flower can represent the innocence of your loved one’s soul. Regardless of the meaning, a lily’s soft aroma and delicate appearance can add a beautiful touch to any memorial service.

Carnations

Carnations are commonly used in memorial services worldwide, often staying fresh and fragrant for weeks after being cut. While any carnations can be used to express sympathy, each color represents a special meaning. For example, pink carnations represent a mother’s undying love. They’re also commonly used in Catholic funerals, symbolizing the Virgin Mary’s tears. 

Forget-me-nots

Historically seen as a flower of eternal love and devotion, forget-me-nots have also become a go-to option for family members to honor their loved ones. As their name suggests, forget-me-nots are a simple yet powerful way to let your deceased family member know they will always be in your heart.

Honor Your Loved One’s Legacy Using Gorgeous Flowers

Designing a beautiful flower arrangement for your loved one’s grave can be a powerful way to show how much you still care for them. With hundreds of options available, you have plenty of ways to create something unique to honor their memory. Our team at Eternal Memorials offers premium monuments and memorial services to families across Long Island, NYC, and beyond. Please contact us or visit our website if you have questions or want to schedule an initial consultation today.

Planning a memorial isn’t easy, but it’s one of those inevitable tasks every person must do at some point in their lives. Creating something unique that honors your loved one’s legacy is the primary goal when building one. But you may also need to be mindful of staying within a reasonable budget. Our guide will walk you through the essential aspects of planning a memorial fund and how to create one that fits your needs!

Are All Memorial Services Expensive?

Memorial services can vary in price dramatically. If you plan on having a traditional funeral service, the costs can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands. On the other hand, you can opt for a direct cremation or a simpler ceremony, which is often much more affordable. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your family to decide the final price.

Key Factors To Consider When Calculating Your Memorial Fund

When creating a memorial fund, you need to keep a few main points in mind:

Your Overall Budget

Setting a budget gives you and your family a clear idea of what you can afford before planning the memorial’s details. As a point of reference, the National Funeral Directors Association determined that the median funeral service cost was $7,848 in 2021. Although some people spend more or less than this, there are plenty of options that can meet your exact needs.

Your Headstone

A headstone can make up a large portion of your memorial fund. However, don’t think you’ll be forced to sacrifice quality and uniqueness to find something within your budget. For example, granite headstones combine durability, variety, and cost-effectiveness to offer you the best of all worlds. There are also many different inscription options, religious symbols, and other unique designs to make your loved one’s memorial stand out without breaking the bank.   

The Type Of Memorial Service

Another essential aspect to consider is the ceremony itself. Depending on your religion and personal preference, most memorial services are held at your place of worship, your loved one’s burial site, or a local funeral home. These services are often more expensive than other non-traditional alternatives.

However, remember that you don’t need to follow a set plan for your loved one’s memorial. For example, if having a traditional service is out of your price point, organizing a more affordable and intimate ceremony at someone’s home will still give your loved ones a place to grieve together. 

Create A Memorial Fund That Fits Your Needs 

Organizing your loved one’s memorial can be a lot of pressure, especially when you have a specific budget in mind. Fortunately, many cost-effective options exist for creating a memorial to honor your loved one’s legacy. Our experts at Eternal Memorials offer premium memorial services and monuments to many families in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey, and beyond. Please contact us or visit our website if you have further questions about our services or want to schedule an initial consultation today.

New York City and Long Island are home to many resting places that go back hundreds of years. Besides being historical landmarks, many of these sites have perfectly manicured gardens, gorgeous memorials, and other elegant works of art that make them worth a visit. Learn more about some of the most beautiful cemeteries this part of the state has to offer!

Why Is Cemetery Tourism Becoming So Popular?

While it may not be everyone’s first choice to explore a burial site, cemetery tourists have been growing worldwide over the last few years.

Depending on the place, it can hold a lot of historical or spiritual significance that draws visitors to it. Or in other cases, loyal fans may want to pay homage to celebrities or influential people by visiting their memorials. Many renowned cemeteries have taken note of this trend and offer special tours or events to the public.

4 NYC And LI Cemeteries You Should Explore

Each cemetery on this list has something that draws thousands of curious visitors each year. Here are four memorable NYC and Long Island cemeteries you should put on your bucket list:

Woodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx

The Woodlawn Cemetery is home to over 310,000 souls, many of them being influential former residents that have made their mark in US history. It was also recognized as one of America’s historically significant sites and was even designated as a landmark in 2011. You can appreciate the cemetery’s natural beauty as you explore the area and join one of their daily tours to learn more.

Trinity Churchyard, Lower Manhattan 

Trinity Churchyard is a well-known cemetery for its long history. With tombstones going as far back as the 1680s, this sacred burial place is home to many historical figures, including founding father Alexander Hamilton and steamboat inventor Robert Fulton. Trinity Church and the attached cemetery are open daily and offer worship services and virtual tours for visitors.

Pinelawn Memorial Park And Arboretum, Farmingdale 

Established in 1902, Pinelawn Memorial Park is a peaceful 500-acre non-sectarian cemetery in the heart of Long Island. Part of what makes this place so unique is its Level II Accredited Arboretum, which hosts thousands of bird species, trees, and flowers. Pinelawn Memorial also has an on-site bee farm to help preserve the environment and maintain its gorgeous landscapes. 

Old Burial Hill, Huntington

Old Burial Hill is one of the most historic burial sites on Long Island. The cemetery goes back to the late 1600s, soon after the town was established. Several epitaphs also date back to the Revolutionary period, when British troops occupied the city for over six years. The Huntington Historical Society holds regular tours if you’re interested in discovering more about the city’s historical background.

Discover The Area’s Most Famous Burial Sites

NYC and Long Island have plenty of historical graveyards that attract many visitors. Whether you’re a history buff or want to get swept away in the natural beauty of these places, these iconic cemeteries are a must-see. At Eternal Memorials, we offer high-quality memorial services and monuments to many grieving families across Long Island, NYC, New Jersey, and beyond. Our Babylon location is also within a few minutes of well-known cemeteries in the area. If you have questions about our services or want to schedule an initial consultation, please contact us or visit our website today.

Maintaining your loved one’s memorial throughout the year is the best way to keep their memory alive. However, winter is a notoriously tricky season to visit the cemetery regularly. The blizzards and icy conditions also make any tombstone’s maintenance a challenge. Fortunately, there are a few ways to protect your family member’s headstone this winter.

How To Protect Your Loved One’s Memorial

With winter around the corner, you’re probably wondering how to keep your loved one’s memorial in good condition. Here are four simple steps you can follow to keep it in good shape this season:

Choose The Right Material

Most headstones can withstand year-round weather, so you don’t have to worry about falling apart. That said, certain materials can withstand the elements much better than others.

If you want a more weather-resistant headstone, choose a material that has a stronger composition. While materials like limestone or sandstone make carving easier, they’re also softer and more prone to weathering. On the other hand, a granite headstone is much stronger and can withstand most weather conditions without any issues.

Clean It Regularly

Cleaning your loved one’s headstone can help you keep it looking in top condition throughout any season. Most memorials only need an annual cleaning with distilled water and a soft brush to eliminate dirt or stains. However, this depends on whether your loved one’s headstone location is more exposed to natural elements. As a result, you may need to clean it more often throughout the year.

Avoid Using Harmful Chemicals

Be careful when using cleaning chemicals whenever you clean your headstone. Certain cleaning materials like strong soaps and bleach react poorly with monuments. Instead of cleaning them, these household products can cause significant damage. For routine cleaning, purified water, non-ionic soap, and a soft brush will be everything you need.

Consider Adding A Canopy

Adding a canopy to your family member’s headstone is another way to minimize damage, especially if you use a softer material. During winter, a temporary canopy will protect your loved one’s headstone from heavy winds, storms, and other natural elements. However, be aware that every cemetery has different rules regarding canopies. Check with staff to see if they will allow you to use one beforehand to avoid any issues.

Do Monument Cleaners Maintain Memorials During Winter?

As much as you try to maintain your loved one’s memorial, harsh winter conditions make it impossible for some families. If you need help with maintaining a memorial, a reliable memorial service provider will keep it safe throughout the year, including winter. For example, our team offers single cleanings, maintenance packages, and repairs to help preserve your monument’s beauty year-round.

Protect Your Loved One’s Headstone This Winter

Keeping your family member’s memorial pristine is a wonderful way to honor their legacy. However, we understand that making this happen during the colder months is complicated. At Eternal Memorials, we offer maintenance packages or single cleanings to make protecting your loved one’s memorial during the colder months stress-free.

For over 100 years, we have offered high-quality memorial services and monuments to thousands of families across Long Island (Nassau County & Suffolk County), Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, and beyond. We are available seven days a week if you need help creating the perfect memorial and maintaining it for years to come.  Please visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule your initial consultation.

Accepting the loss of a loved one is emotionally heavy, and understandably, the last thing you want to do is plan a memorial while everyone is grieving. Many families opt to pre-plan their memorial services before their loved one passes to ensure everything is taken care of. Besides making the financial burden easier for family members, pre-planning also lets them grieve in peace without worrying about logistics during such a traumatic time.

5 Mistakes To Steer Clear Of When Planning Your Memorial

While pre-planning lets you organize your loved one’s memorial early, you must ensure everything goes smoothly. Here are the five most common mistakes you should avoid:

Not Involving Close Family Members

When you plan your memorial, keep in mind that this isn’t only about the deceased. While that person is already gone, those closest to them will be left behind to grieve and try to accept their loved one’s death. Try to make your memorial one that brings everyone together during this challenging period while honoring your loved one’s final wishes.

Letting Price Determine Everything

With an average price of a funeral costing over $6,000, it’s understandable that you want to save as much money as possible and keep your memorial costs low. But remember, this memorial service is one of the last chances you and your family have to say goodbye. Remember to be flexible on the details that matter, especially if it’s what your loved one wanted.

Not Planning Ahead Of Time

Most people know they should plan for their funerals, yet only about 21% of Americans do so. By pre-planning a funeral, you have the comfort of knowing that your memorial service provider will carry out your loved one’s final wishes before they pass.

Waiting until it’s too late adds unnecessary stress to your family members during the grieving period. Your emotional stress may also lead you to make mistakes when planning your loved one’s memorial that you might later regret.

Not Paying In Advance

Locking in a price ahead of time saves you a lot of money. It also helps your loved one avoid putting any unnecessary financial burden on those closest to them. As inflation drives funeral costs higher, paying for everything in advance allows you to plan a memorial while it’s still within your price point. Most memorial services also offer installment plans that help you pay everything off over time.

Not Voicing Your Concerns

Organizing the perfect memorial service can be complicated. With many options out there to choose from, you probably have some questions about how the pre-planning process works. Some people don’t voice their concerns until it’s too late. Ask as many questions as you need and explore every option before committing to any memorial service.

We Can Help You Plan Your Loved One’s Memorial

Pre-planning a memorial helps you avoid the added stress of organizing everything once your family member is no longer with you. At Eternal Memorials, we offer customized pre-planning monument services to help you manage your loved one’s memorial and honor their final wishes.

We have been a family-owned business since 1914. Over the years, we have provided high-quality memorial services and cemetery monuments for families across Long Island (Nassau County & Suffolk County), Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, and beyond. We are available seven days a week if you have any questions or need help pre-planning your loved one’s memorial. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about our services.

Part of honoring your loved one’s memory is ensuring their final resting place is always looking pristine. Even though artisans build headstones to last a long time, they are still vulnerable to exposure and will start to fall into disrepair if you aren’t careful. Whenever you visit your loved one’s grave, immediately contact your monument provider if you see anything out of place. The earlier you fix the problem, the easier it will be to preserve the original design and stop any more damage from happening.

How Long Do Headstones Last?

With some of the oldest tombstones and graves dating back thousands of years, headstones can last forever, even if they haven’t been well cared for. However, you’ll see cracks and deterioration from the elements after some time without maintenance. The material you choose for your loved one’s memorial also affects long-term decay. While granite headstones are more weather-resistant and reliable, a material like marble may not last as long because of its mineral content.

How Can You Tell When Your Headstone Needs Restoration?

There are a few clear signs your headstone needs some repairing. The next time you go to the cemetery, let your monument service provider know as soon as possible if you see these details:

The Headstone Is Starting To Sink

If you see your loved one’s grave sinking, know this is a natural phenomenon. Graves can shift due to escaping air pockets and ground settlement. Despite cemeteries’ efforts to prevent this problem, weather and temperature changes can significantly affect the soil’s structure, which may damage your headstone over time. As a solution, consider adding a base to your monument or talk to the cemetery staff about possible ground repairs to stop it from sinking further.

The Design And Lettering Are Disappearing

In honoring a loved one’s memory, headstone lettering is important to keep their legacy alive for generations. But naturally, time and the elements will start to fade its original engravings. You can maintain the memorial’s design by scheduling regular cleanings to ensure the lettering remains intact. In some cases, however, a gravestone’s design may need more than simple maintenance. If the original text has already been lost to time, ask your provider to fully restore the memorial’s lettering to make it look brand new.

The Memorial Is Filthy

From powerful Nor’easters in the winter to torrential downpours in the spring, every season has something that can make your loved one’s monument look filthier. Add in the falling leaves, lawn clippings, or other natural debris, and your headstone will need regular cleaning sessions to keep it looking its best. Headstone cleaning is a complex process, and using common household chemicals may even damage it further. The best thing to do is to hire a monument cleaner who knows how to care for your family member’s headstone and to maintain its beauty.

Bring New Life To Your Loved One’s Memorial

Preserving your family member’s burial site is one of the best ways to keep your loved one’s memory alive. Here at Eternal Memorials, we offer customized full-service maintenance packages and restoration services to make your loved one’s gravestone always look beautiful and timeless.

We have provided high-quality cemetery monuments and memorial services to families across Long Island (Nassau County & Suffolk County), Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, and beyond for the past 100 years. We are available seven days a week if you need assistance creating a memorial for your loved one. Please visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule your initial consultation.

When choosing a memorial for your loved one, it’s essential to consider the material. If you want your loved one’s memories to last a lifetime, you need something memorable that stands the test of time. Granite’s beauty and durability make it a perfect choice for memorials. The question is, what makes this material the best one? In this article, we’ll explore why granite is such an appealing option.

What Exactly Is Granite?

Granite is a well-known igneous rock found in most places on Earth’s surface. Due to different combinations of feldspar, quartz, and other minerals, granite can have a wide range of colors and textures that make each piece unique. Although its formation happens deep underground, the stone can be uncovered and quarried over time. When the extraction process is complete, the rock is cut into massive slabs and shipped to different parts of the world. Once it arrives at its final destination, you can meticulously design and sculpt granite into various items, including memorials and headstones.

4 Reasons Why Granite Is The Best Material For Your Next Memorial

From its striking colors to its resistance to the elements, granite is the number one material for making the perfect memorial. Here are some reasons why it’s the best choice.

It Has A Wide Range Of Colors

Due to different mineral compositions, granite comes in many colors ranging from different shades of grays to blacks, blues, pearls, reds, and many other variations. As the mineral’s makeup varies from region to region, the colors you’ll see can be unique to that geographical area. Having infinite color schemes to choose from makes granite more customizable if you have a particular design in mind.

Durability

The compact crystalline structure of granite makes it incredibly strong, which is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a long-lasting memorial. It’s also highly dense, with one cubic foot of granite weighing roughly 200 lbs.

According to Mohs Hardness Scale (MOHS), natural granite is rated from 6 to 7, much harder than other materials like marble. The increased density makes it less porous and less susceptible to erosion than other stones. Granite can withstand storms, wind, scratches, and other natural elements for centuries, especially if properly maintained. In fact, monument producers claim that granite memorials can tolerate different weather conditions while retaining their original engravings.

Easy to Polish

There’s nothing more stunning than a freshly polished memorial. You can use special tools to give your granite memorial’s surface a smooth, glassy polish that will effortlessly bring out its colors and details. Also, the polishing will act as a protective layer for your memorial, strengthening its ability to withstand all kinds of weather conditions. The increased resistance will help your loved one’s monument last a lifetime.

Sculptability

For outdoor pieces such as memorials, granite is a reliable material, even though it’s not as easy to work with as other options. For example, monuments made out of marble can be easily sculpted. However, they aren’t as strong or dense as granite, making them more vulnerable to bad weather and erosion. On the other hand, granite material is solid and versatile enough for memorial makers to sculpt it into an elegant and personalized memorial.

Granite Is An Ideal Material For Your Next Memorial

If you’re looking for a suitable material for your customized memorial that will last for generations, granite is one of the best options. At Eternal Memorials, our team creates high-quality and personalized granite memorials that will help you preserve and honor your loved one’s memory.

Over the past 100 years, we have provided high-quality cemetery monuments to families across Long Island (Nassau County & Suffolk County), Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, and out-of-state clients. We are available seven days a week if you need assistance creating a memorial for your loved one. We invite you to visit our website for more information. You can also contact us if you have questions about our services or want to schedule your initial consultation today.