Sunset Stone’s Columbarian Process
Ever wondered how a Memorial is turned into a custom-made, everlasting commemoration of your loved one?
- You can’t control the length of life—but you can control its width and depth.
- You can’t control the length of life—but you can control its width and depth.
The first step is to excavate the granite from the ground or quarry. These quarries are often hundreds of feet deep with jagged razor sharp edges of solid rock. Different types of granite are excavated in various parts of the world to produce a variety of different colours and patterns. Explosives are placed in drilled holes in order to break apart the granite strategically so that it can be preserved for use. These huge slabs of granite are then moved to manufacturing plants where they are then cut and shaped using diamond tipped blades and large machinery.
Next the stone is polished to a smooth finish. This process consists of buffing and grinding the stone with machines and water. It requires several phases before it shows the glossy shine that we see on many memorials. An unpolished stone also needs to be taken partly through this process in order to smooth it down.
Once the stone is shaped and polished we can now add the designs and engraving to them. A design is usually created on the computer for the customer’s approval. The design can then be transferred onto the stone sandblasting or lasering, depending on the design. Some designs are too small and intricate to use sandblasters and must be carved by quality craftsmen using a dremmel, but this method is very costly and not quite as accurate as sandblasting or lasering.
These sculptures can take many man hours depending on the intricacy of the design. A rubber stencil is made of the design and stuck to the stone when it is being sandblasted. The monument can also be painted while the stencil is still applied. Once blasted, the stencil is removed from the stone revealing a beautiful monument ready for installation.
The completed monument can now be transported and delivered to the cemetery plot. Since the granite is so heavy at times, it must be handled using cranes and dollies. And though it is heavy, it is also delicate and needs to be handled with care. Before it can be installed, a foundation might be needed or a base installed with the stone to eliminate sinking and tipping. This is usually prepared ahead of time or already available by the cemetery. Once the stone is set, accessories may be added. This is when porcelain portraits, cases, lanterns or lights may be installed.
This interesting process starts with a raw material, and in the end, your family and friends have a beautiful granite memorial to commemorate your loved one that will last forever.
