Frequently Asked Questions, Answers From Our Shop
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most often — about cemeteries, photographs, cleaning, and the craft of memorials.
How do I clean my headstone?
The short answer: granite headstones and monuments should be cleaned once a year to keep them looking their best and protect the engraving for generations to come.
The longer answer: cleaning a memorial the right way takes a little know-how. Using the wrong products or techniques can permanently damage the granite, dull the polish, or harm the engraved lettering — undoing decades of craftsmanship in just a few minutes. To make sure your memorial finishes the day cleaner than it started (and never worse for the wear), we've put together a complete step-by-step guide covering safe cleaning products, tools, techniques, and what to avoid.
Will my cemetery accept a marker or monument purchased from an outside source?
It is important to understand your rights as a consumer. You should know that you have the right to purchase your memorial from any monument provider. Do not let the cemetery discourage you from shopping around for the best memorial for you and your family.
All cemeteries are required by law to accept any memorial, no matter where you purchased it, as long as it meets their specific rules and regulations. If a cemetery claims that they will not accept a memorial purchased elsewhere, ask to see their cemetery by-laws. If you feel you are being treated unfairly you have the right to report them to the Federal Trade Commission or the Better Business Bureau.
VJ Memorials will work directly with you and your cemetery to ensure you are meeting all of the cemetery guidelines. We are here to give you peace of mind and to help you order the perfect memorial for your loved one.
What kinds of photograph options are available?
Including a portrait on your memorial is a wonderful way to capture a special memory or show your loved one's unique personality.
Here are some options to consider:
Metal/Ceramic Photo Tile Insert — A ceramic photo tile insert is the best way to showcase your loved one on their headstone or monument. Photo tile inserts are extremely durable. Our photo tile inserts have a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer against fading and a 50% discount replacement warranty if vandalized. You can choose a ceramic photo tile in full color or in black and white. The color images are as close to the original as possible — their colors are more vibrant than anything else we've seen. They also come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Your photo tile insert is inlayed into your tombstone and a strong epoxy is used to secure the tile into the stone to prevent theft.
Not all ceramic tiles are the same. Most cemeteries are littered with cheap tiles that have faded or cracked over time. Our tiles have a lifetime guarantee. We have not seen any other tile hold up as well as the one we use. Should the tile fade or crack we will reproduce it from our files and replace it free of charge. As a company that has been in business for 60 years, you can trust we will be there if you need us.
Photo Etch — A photo etch is a black-and-white image that is engraved to appear just like a newspaper picture. Your photographic image is permanently sandblasted into the polished area of a black granite stone. The end result is as long-lasting as the inscription itself. What makes a photo etch unique is the ability to etch your photo in any size or shape.
Tri-Tone Portrait — A tri-tone portrait is a one-of-a-kind engraved image of your loved one. Our artist hand-draws a custom portrait for your memorial. This process is engraved on black granite to showcase a lifelike portrayal of your family member in different shades of black and white. Be sure to ask your counselor how a tri-tone photo would enhance your memorial.
Two-Tone Portrait — A two-tone portrait is similar to a tri-tone portrait. Our artist can recreate any photographic image to produce a one-of-a-kind gravestone. The main differences are that your portrait can be created on any color granite and your image is engraved using a two-dimensional technique.
No matter which photograph option you choose, it is sure to enhance the beauty of your memorial and make your loved one's tombstone stand out in the cemetery.
Tips for selecting your photograph:
- It is always best to select a photograph that is clean, without any wear or damage.
- Select a photograph that is at least 4 x 6 in size. Smaller photographs may become distorted when blown up, causing your photo to look grainy.
- Don't worry if your loved one is on the wrong side of the photo. We can flip the photographic image so that dad is on the left and mom is on the right.
Tips for sending your photograph:
- If sending an original or hardcopy, be sure to put your information on the back of the photo. The original will be returned to you.
- If sending a digital image, be sure to scan your photo so it has a resolution of at least 300 dpi. This will ensure the best possible clarity for your photo. Photos scanned at a low resolution can appear blurry or grainy. You should save your photo in a JPEG format (.jpg) to ensure that your photograph can be opened.
- Be sure to let your counselor know how you want to have your photo cropped or if you want the background removed.