When tragedy strikes in the form of the death of a pet, it is often the choice of pet owners to purchase a memorial stone to honor the memory of their loved one. Memory stones are available in a variety of different designs for you to choose from so that you may have a tangible reminder of the life you shared with your pet. Some of the different types available for purchase are: River rock memorial stones, Garden stones and Monument stones.
River rock memorial stones are hand-picked, and naturally smooth, making the perfect surface to inscribe your loved one's name, dates and a basic graphic image such as paw prints. These rocks generally range in size from 6-12 inches in diameter and you can generally customize the layout and approve the details before finalizing the look of the stone. The smaller rocks can be displayed in a special holder whereas the larger rocks are often displayed outdoors. Specialized stencils are used to accurately imprint the graphic and information onto the face of the rock with the layout finalized by you before customization begns.
Another type of pet memorial stone that is a popular choice is a garden stone. Garden stones come in a variety of different styles and designs, often with a more image-based feel to them. Stones may be purchased in the shape of paws for stepping stones through your garden and can also be inscribed. Garden memorial stones also include basic round stepping stones with poetry or other text embedded into the rock for a decorative addition to the garden. Other choices include inscriptions with poetry or popular sayings that are in raised lettering on the stone. Some companies will have templates to choose from for your background scene that is incorporated into the stone work. Stands are also available for purchase to display in your garden at an angle.
In addition to these selections is a chiseled monument stone. These upright stones display a few lines of text, a symbol and your pet's information. Chiseled by hand, these monument pieces can be tastefully displayed in a garden or outdoor area for viewing. Typically, you can choose from a compact version of the monument stone or a full-size version depending on your individual needs. The smaller versions only hold the basic information and usually one choice of symbol or graphic, whereas the larger size can hold more lines of text and a few choices of graphics. All the text and graphic work is frequently done by hand and embedded deeply into the rock (usually marble) for a more defined, dramatic appearance.
When choosing to purchase a pet memorial stone, be sure to investigate the company's reputation and testimonials provided. Also look for personalization options for the product you are looking into buying. Guarantee of purchase and return policies are also good features to seek as well as high standards of conduct and production. When looking for a company for stone work, look for a description of how the stones are selected, the process of creating the memorial (tumbling, smoothing, chiseling) and any other relevant information to make your final decision.
For an elegant and yet, simplistic approach to honoring your pet's memory, memorial stones are a good option. The durable stone work will provide you with a long-lasting memorial to cherish your beloved pet for years to come.