Questions To Ask
No matter where you decide to purchase your memorial, we hope you will ask these questions of the seller and be sure to get answers that you fully understand. Your choices will literally be etched in stone, so you need to be certain they are the best ones you can make.
Do I need to purchase a memorial marker right away?
Does the size of my memorial matter?
What are my choices regarding granite?
How do I create a personalized, one-of-a-kind memorial design?
How do I know I am receiving the best value?
Is there a guarantee on my purchase?
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Do I need to purchase a memorial marker right away?
There is no rush to purchase a memorial.
So often in today's world of high pressure, aggressive sales tactics, a monument salesman can lose sight of the circumstances surrounding your recent loss. His concern is to get the sale no matter what.
Your authorized Birkmeier Monument associate knows that the worst time to purchase a memorial is shortly after the loss of a loved one. He knows you should wait for your life to return to some sense of normalcy and that this can take several weeks or longer. A memorial is a one-time purchase that will last forever so it should never be rushed.
When you are ready, your Birkmeier Monument associate will be there to help. As he did with the funeral, he will offer the same care and counsel to help you make the right memorial choices.
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Does the size of my memorial matter?
When it comes to designing a memorial, your choices are almost limitless. However, depending on the location of your lots in the cemetery, there may be some restrictions regarding style, size and finish.
In addition, under the Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, if your state or a local law requires you to buy any particular item, the funeral provider must disclose it on the price list, with a reference to the specific law.
Your Birkmeier Monument associate is familiar with these restrictions and will fully explain them to you.
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What are my choices regarding granite?
When it comes time to purchase a memorial, very few people have had any experience. If not properly counseled, the choices can be overwhelming.
Your Birkmeier Monument associate has the experience and training to lead you through these choices in a way that will make it easy to arrive at the proper decisions regarding your memorial. In fact, he will offer to show you a colored drawing of how the memorial choices you have made will look in the final memorial design.
Very few monument salesmen will offer this service because they care only about getting your signature on the sales contract. They don't want to take the chance you might go somewhere else.
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How do I create a personalized, one-of-a-kind memorial design?
When computers entered the memorial industry, artistic design went out the window. Today, more and more monument suppliers rely on computer design programs. Instead of asking what the purchaser wants, they push the designs they already have on a computer disk.
Your Birkmeier Monument associate is backed by a company that firmly believes your memorial should reflect your wishes. While he will show you an array of memorials with traditional designs, he will work with you to learn your wishes and explain your options. Together you will fill out a Sketch Request telling the artists what you want. Based on your wishes, they will design a one-of-a-kind memorial just for you.
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How do I know I am receiving the best value?
Comparison shopping is good, but it only works if you compare apples to apples. Unfortunately, when comparing memorials from one company to another, it is easy to end up comparing apples to oranges.
Your Birkmeier Monument associate will do his best to explain why different granites have different prices. He will clearly specify any additional charges relating to any options you have chosen. But most of all, he will get you the best price for your memorial while taking into consideration all of the wishes you have expressed. As a supplier, we purchase granite from one of the largest quarrying and fabrication companies in North America . Together we can assure you that you will be getting the best memorial value for you money.
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Is there a guarantee on my purchase?
A memorial should be expected to last for a very, very long time, if not forever. The primary ingredient of granite is quartz, a very hard and durable mineral. It is almost impervious to weathering and erosion. However, because it is a rock, a crack can occasionally get past the many inspection points in the manufacturer's quality control program. It might not show up for years, but when it does you need to know the memorial will be replaced.
Your authorized Birkmeier Monument associate will be proud to provide you with a copy of our written Guarantee . It is one of the strongest in the industry, protecting you not only from any defects in the memorial itself, but also from any concerns regarding quality and workmanship.
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Contact us for an associate nearest you
A memorial is intended to be a lasting tribute to your loved one and the life you shared. What you carve in stone is permanent, so take your time and above all, don't let anyone pressure you into making a hasty decision.
If you have additional questions, please contact us.
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