Frequently Asked Questions
When purchasing a memorial, families often decide between buying from a cemetery or a specialized monument company. While cemeteries may seem convenient, a monument company offers greater flexibility, direct access to the manufacturer, and more opportunities to create a personalized tribute. Choosing a company like Tegeler Monument Company ensures high-quality craftsmanship, customized designs, and often more affordable pricing.
Below are answers to common questions about planning and purchasing a memorial—from design options to installation and costs.
When you purchase a memorial from Tegeler Monument, you’re buying directly from the manufacturer—eliminating middleman markups and ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship. Our team specializes in designing and producing every type of cemetery memorial, combining expert artistry with premium materials to create a truly meaningful tribute. By choosing us instead of a cemetery, you not only save money but also receive unparalleled design quality, personalized service, and a memorial crafted with the care and attention your loved one deserves.
You can purchase a memorial at any time—whether pre-need, to plan ahead and design your monument exactly the way you want it, or at-need, after a loved one has passed. Planning in advance allows you to create a personalized design that reflects your wishes, while purchasing at-need ensures a meaningful tribute crafted with care during a difficult time. No matter your situation, our designers will work closely with you to create a memorial that beautifully honors the life it represents.
Pre-arranging your memorial is not required, but it can greatly ease the burden on your family during a time of grief. Planning ahead allows you to design your memorial exactly the way you envision it and make decisions about your cemetery in advance. Pre-arrangements also lock in today’s prices, protecting your family from rising costs in the future. If you have a family plot, marking your grave ahead of time can help guide other family members as they make their own plans.
At-need memorials are purchased after a loved one has passed, while pre-need memorials are arranged in advance. Many couples choose to purchase their memorials ahead of time to spare their families financial strain and difficult decisions later on. Planning early provides peace of mind and ensures their wishes are clearly honored.
Each cemetery has its own rules and regulations, and navigating them can sometimes feel overwhelming. At Tegeler Monument, we specialize in understanding these guidelines and can provide expert guidance for virtually any cemetery in the region. Whether you want help selecting a cemetery based on your desired memorial style—or need to know what types of memorials are permitted at a cemetery you’ve already chosen—our team is here to help. As industry professionals, we’re committed to ensuring your memorial meets every requirement with ease. For any questions, give us a call at (410) 944-0300.
Yes, we can match any existing monument or marker. Whether you want your memorial to complement a family member’s stone or recreate a design you’ve seen and admired, Tegeler Monument can craft nearly any style. If you have a specific idea in mind, simply give us a call—we’ll be happy to discuss your vision and do everything we can to bring it to life.
Our expert designers are here to guide you through every step of the design process and can create a fully customized monument that beautifully reflects your loved one. Whatever vision you have, we can bring it to life. Before any work begins, we provide a 2D rendering of your memorial for your review and approval—and you’re welcome to request as many revisions as needed to ensure the design is absolutely perfect.
Upright Monuments
Individual Monuments | Companion Monuments | Custom Shape Monuments
Upright monuments are the classic standing headstones most people picture when they think of a cemetery memorial. They offer the greatest amount of space for personalized inscriptions, artwork, religious symbols, and detailed designs. Because they stand above the ground, they are highly visible from a distance, making them a lasting and prominent tribute. Upright monuments come in many shapes, styles, and granite colors to reflect a loved one’s unique life.
Cemetery Benches
Cemetery benches serve as both a memorial and a place for loved ones to sit, reflect, and feel connected. They can be crafted with or without a back and offer ample space for engraving names, dates, and personal sentiments. Benches create a peaceful presence in the cemetery and can be placed as standalone memorials or alongside other monuments. Their functional beauty makes them a meaningful and comforting tribute.
Slant Markers
Slant markers feature an angled face that allows inscriptions to be read easily from a standing position. They provide a strong visual presence without the height of an upright monument, striking a balance between simplicity and prominence. Slants can be made with or without a base, depending on the desired look and cemetery requirements. Their shape allows for tasteful designs, emblems, and lettering.
Bevel Markers
Bevel markers sit low to the ground and are slightly raised at the back, creating a gentle slope that makes inscriptions more visible. They offer a subtle and traditional appearance while still providing enough space for meaningful personalization. Bevels are available in single or companion sizes and can be placed alone or paired with vases or additional elements. Their understated design blends neatly into many cemetery landscapes.
Flush Markers
Flush markers, also known as flat markers, lie level with the ground for a clean, minimalistic look. They are often required in certain sections of cemeteries due to maintenance or uniformity rules. Despite their simplicity, flush markers can be beautifully customized with lettering, symbols, and design elements that honor a loved one’s life. Their low profile ensures an elegant and timeless memorial.
Bronze Markers
Bronze markers combine durability with detailed, elegant design work that remains beautiful for generations. Typically mounted on a granite base, these markers allow for raised lettering, emblems, backgrounds, and even photo cameos. Bronze offers a classic, warm finish that develops character over time while retaining its structural integrity. These markers are a popular choice for families seeking both artistry and longevity.
Yes. Tegeler Monument creates memorials for all religions, including Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Greek Orthodox, and many others. If you have questions or would like to see examples of our work, please call us at (410) 944-0300 or fill out our contact form. We are happy to provide any information you need and guide you through the process.
Monuments are commonly crafted from marble or granite, with granite being the preferred material due to its exceptional strength, durability, and ability to withstand the elements for generations. Markers may be made from granite, marble, or bronze, depending on the style and cemetery requirements. In most cases, we use high-quality granite because it offers the best long-term protection and maintains its beauty over time. Your cemetery may have specific rules regarding the type of memorial allowed, and we are happy to help you understand those guidelines.
Because every memorial is fully customizable, pricing varies based on the type of memorial, as well as the size and color you choose. For an accurate estimate, please call us at (410) 944-0300 for a free quote.
Tegeler Monument Company offers many granite colors to choose from. You can view our granite colors here. Some cemeteries have restrictions on marble, granite, and bronze. Please let us know which cemeteries you are considering, and we will share your color options.
For a double-interment single-site, the available memorial options typically include an individual marker or monument designed to accommodate two or more names. In this case, a single memorial is sized to fit one gravesite but engraved with the names and information of both individuals. This allows families to create a unified, meaningful tribute that honors loved ones together.
These memorials can be crafted from granite or bronze, depending on your preference and cemetery regulations. If permitted by the cemetery, this style can also be created as an upright monument, offering additional space for personalization and design.
Yes. Tegeler Monument Company has the ability to create a custom memorial in any language. Our expert designers are well-versed in working with Hebrew, Arabic for Muslim memorials, Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, and many others. To ensure absolute accuracy, we ask that you provide a clearly written or typed document with the exact wording you would like engraved. This allows us to duplicate every character precisely and create a memorial that honors your loved one with authenticity and care.
No. We can create virtually any design you have in mind, as long as it meets the cemetery’s regulations. Whether you want a traditional style or a fully customized design, we can incorporate it into your memorial at no additional cost. The only limitations are content that may be considered vulgar or inappropriate, as cemeteries must approve all artwork and inscriptions. Some cemeteries also have specific requirements—such as including a religious symbol—and we will guide you through those guidelines to ensure your memorial is fully compliant.
Yes. We can apply laser etching to any granite monument or marker. Dark-colored granites such as Jet Black or Bahama Blue provide the best contrast and the highest level of detail for etched designs. If you choose a lighter granite, we can instead add a ceramic or stainless-steel cameo photo, which is securely inserted into the memorial for a beautiful and lasting tribute.
Yes. Tegeler Monument has designed many memorials for pets of all kinds. Whether you need a memorial installed in a pet cemetery or a custom piece created for your home or garden, we can design a tribute that beautifully honors your beloved companion. Whatever your vision may be, we’re here to help bring it to life.
Tegeler Monument Company designs and sells memorials for all cemeteries, including every cemetery in Maryland as well as those in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. We can also create memorials for families in all 50 states. Our professional installation crew handles the installation to ensure your memorial is set correctly and securely. In some cemeteries, installation is performed by the cemetery itself, and in those cases, we coordinate directly with their team to ensure everything is completed properly. If you’d like to confirm whether we service a specific cemetery, please contact us or call (410) 944-0300—we’re happy to answer any questions.