Monument Planet

Learning Center


Resources for monument dealers, funeral homes, and cemetery professionals — from material guides and ordering processes to state-specific cemetery rules. New articles added regularly.

50
Articles
5
Years
Free
Always

2025

10 articles
Oct 30
Materials

Why India Is the World's Leading Granite Monument Manufacturer

The economic, geological, and industrial factors that make India the dominant global supplier of granite monuments — covering quarry resources, manufacturing scale, labor, and the export supply chain.

6 min
Sep 23
Industry

Opening a Monument Business: First Steps

A realistic first-steps guide for anyone considering entering the monument business — covering market research, supplier relationships, legal setup, display investment, and early marketing.

6 min
Aug 12
Buying Guide

Winter Care for Granite Monuments

What families and dealers should know about winter's effects on granite monuments — freeze-thaw cycles, frost heave, appropriate winter care, and when to be concerned.

4 min
Jul 8
Industry

How Monument Planet's Wholesale Process Works

A walkthrough of how Monument Planet's wholesale ordering system works for dealers — from account setup and pricing to order placement, artwork proofing, and delivery.

5 min
Jun 17
Industry

How to Price Custom Monument Orders as a Dealer

A practical pricing framework for monument dealers on custom orders — accounting for stone cost, engraving complexity, freight, and overhead to arrive at accurate, profitable retail prices.

5 min
May 6
Materials

From Quarry Block to Finished Monument: The Full Journey

A step-by-step walkthrough of how a raw granite block becomes a finished, engraved cemetery monument — covering quarrying, sawing, polishing, cutting, engraving, and export.

6 min
Apr 15
Materials

Does Granite Monument Color Fade Over Time?

The honest answer to one of the most common client questions — whether granite monument color fades, what actually changes over decades of outdoor exposure, and how to set accurate expectations.

4 min
Mar 4
Buying Guide

Cremation Memorial Markers: Options for Modern Families

A guide to memorial marker options for cremated remains — niche markers, cremation monuments, garden memorials, and what families increasingly choose as cremation rates rise.

5 min
Feb 11
Cemetery Rules

Catholic Cemetery Monument Rules and Guidelines

What monument dealers need to know about Catholic cemetery monument requirements — diocesan specifications, approved symbols, common size restrictions, and working with Catholic cemetery offices.

5 min
Jan 7
Buying Guide

Jewish Monument Traditions: What Dealers Should Know

A practical guide to Jewish memorial customs for monument dealers — the unveiling ceremony, design traditions, Hebrew inscriptions, Star of David placement, and cemetery protocol.

5 min

2024

10 articles
Oct 1
Buying Guide

Veteran Headstones: What Dealers Need to Know About VA Markers

A complete guide for monument dealers on VA government-furnished headstones and markers — eligibility, the application process, private monument alternatives, and how to support veteran families.

6 min
Sep 17
Cemetery Rules

Federal and State Headstone Regulations Explained

An overview of federal regulations affecting headstones and grave markers — from VA standards to FTC funeral rules — and how state-level cemetery laws interact with federal requirements.

5 min
Aug 6
Industry

Who Installs Granite Monuments? A Dealer's Guide

A clear explanation of who installs granite monuments in cemeteries — cemetery staff, certified contractors, and dealers — plus foundation requirements and how to coordinate the setting process.

5 min
Jul 16
Industry

What Determines Granite Monument Pricing?

A clear breakdown of the factors that set granite monument prices at wholesale and retail — stone variety, size, fabrication complexity, engraving, shipping, and margin.

5 min
Jun 4
Industry

How Importing Granite Monuments from India Works

A practical overview of the India granite monument import supply chain — from quarry regions and factory production to ocean freight, US customs, and distributor delivery.

6 min
May 21
Materials

Bronze vs. Granite Monuments: A Dealer Comparison

An honest comparison of bronze and granite memorials for dealers — covering appearance, durability, maintenance, cost, and which families or cemetery sections favor each material.

5 min
Apr 9
Customization

Portrait Engraving on Granite Monuments: What Dealers Need to Know

A practical dealer's guide to laser portrait engraving on monuments — photo requirements, placement, the engraving process, and setting correct client expectations.

5 min
Mar 5
Customization

Choosing Fonts for Monument Engraving

A practical guide to selecting fonts for granite monument lettering — covering readability, scale, style traditions, and what works best when sandblasted on different granite colors.

5 min
Feb 13
Industry

How Much Do Granite Monuments Weigh? Shipping Guide

A practical reference on granite monument weights by size and type, how weight affects freight costs, and what dealers need to know about shipping logistics.

5 min
Jan 16
Materials

Where Does Blue Pearl Granite Come From?

The geological origin story of Blue Pearl granite — why it exists only in Larvik, Norway, what creates its iridescent schiller effect, and what this means for availability and pricing.

4 min

2023

10 articles
Oct 10
Materials

Supreme Black vs. Jet Black Granite: What's the Difference?

A clear comparison of Supreme Black and Jet Black granite for monument dealers — covering mineral composition, color depth, polish quality, quarry sources, and which to recommend.

5 min
Sep 19
Cemetery Rules

Cemetery Monument Rules in Virginia

Virginia cemetery monument regulations for dealers — from Northern Virginia's suburban perpetual-care facilities to historic Shenandoah Valley churchyards and VA national cemetery standards.

5 min
Aug 8
Cemetery Rules

Cemetery Monument Rules in Maryland

A guide for monument dealers on Maryland cemetery regulations, covering the state's oversight framework, Baltimore-area perpetual-care facilities, and rural county cemetery practices.

5 min
Jul 11
Cemetery Rules

Cemetery Monument Rules in Delaware

What Delaware monument dealers need to know about cemetery regulations in the First State, from Dover's perpetual-care facilities to historic church burial grounds.

5 min
Jun 13
Cemetery Rules

Cemetery Monument Rules in Connecticut

A practical guide for monument dealers on Connecticut cemetery regulations, including state oversight, common size restrictions, and how town-owned versus private cemeteries differ.

5 min
May 16
Materials

Comparing Popular Granite Colors for Monuments

A side-by-side comparison of the most popular granite colors used in monuments, covering their origin, appearance, durability, price range, and best use cases.

5 min
Apr 4
Industry

How to Start a Monument Dealership

A practical starting guide for entrepreneurs considering opening a monument dealership — covering licensing, supplier relationships, display requirements, and realistic startup economics.

6 min
Mar 7
Buying Guide

Granite Memorial Benches: A Complete Guide

Everything dealers need to know about granite memorial benches — standard sizes, inscription options, cemetery approval requirements, and the families who request them.

5 min
Feb 14
Buying Guide

Slant Markers: When to Recommend Them

A practical guide to slant markers — their design, appropriate use cases, cemetery acceptance, and how they compare to both flat and upright monument options.

4 min
Jan 24
Customization

Custom Monument Design Tips for Dealers

Practical design guidance for dealers working with families on custom monument layouts — including lettering, artwork, portraits, and common design mistakes to avoid.

5 min

2022

10 articles
Oct 11
Industry

How Granite Monuments Are Shipped Safely

An inside look at how finished granite monuments are crated, loaded into containers, shipped internationally, and delivered without damage to dealers across the Northeast.

4 min
Sep 20
Materials

India Red Granite: Origin, Appearance & Monument Uses

A dealer's guide to India Red granite — its quarry origins in Rajasthan, its distinctive appearance, and how to sell it effectively for monument applications.

4 min
Aug 9
Industry

Monument Industry Glossary: Terms Every Dealer Should Know

A reference glossary of monument industry terminology — from stone types and fabrication processes to cemetery and order management terms.

5 min
Jul 12
Buying Guide

What Dealers Should Tell Customers About Monument Care

Guidance for monument dealers on advising customers about cleaning and maintaining granite monuments — what products are safe, what to avoid, and when to recommend professional restoration.

4 min
Jun 7
Industry

Monument Setting: What Dealers Should Know

The practical details of cemetery monument setting — foundation requirements, timing, cemetery protocols, and what dealers need to coordinate to ensure a successful installation.

5 min
May 17
Industry

Monument Lead Times: What to Tell Your Customers

Realistic lead times for granite monuments from order to delivery, broken down by stone source, order type, and the factors that cause delays dealers need to anticipate.

4 min
Apr 25
Materials

Blue Pearl Granite: The Dealer's Guide

Everything dealers need to know about Blue Pearl granite — its Norwegian quarry origin, unique iridescent appearance, availability, and how to sell it effectively.

4 min
Mar 8
Materials

How Granite Monuments Are Made: From Quarry to Cemetery

The complete journey of a granite monument from raw block extraction at the quarry through sawing, polishing, engraving, and final cemetery installation.

6 min
Feb 14
Materials

Granite Polishing Levels: What Each Finish Means

An explanation of granite surface finishes used in monuments — polished, honed, thermal, and sawn — and how each affects appearance, contrast, and maintenance.

4 min
Jan 19
Buying Guide

Companion Monuments: Everything Dealers Need to Know

A comprehensive guide to companion (double) monument design, sizing conventions, inscription layouts, and the unique ordering considerations for two-person memorials.

5 min

2021

10 articles
Dec 7
Buying Guide

Flat Markers vs. Upright Monuments: Pros and Cons

A practical comparison of flat grave markers and upright monuments covering cemetery restrictions, visibility, cost, and when each option makes sense for your clients.

5 min
Nov 3
Industry

Wholesale Monument Buying Guide for Funeral Homes

How funeral homes can build a profitable monument program by partnering with a wholesale distributor — covering markup strategy, display selection, and client consultation.

6 min
Oct 18
Customization

Sandblasting vs. Laser Engraving for Monuments

A detailed comparison of sandblasting and laser engraving for monument lettering and artwork, covering depth, appearance, cost, and which method suits which applications.

5 min
Sep 6
Materials

The Complete Guide to Black Granite Monuments

Everything monument dealers need to know about black granite varieties, their quarry origins, quality differences, and why black granite dominates the monument market.

6 min
Aug 19
Cemetery Rules

Cemetery Monument Rules in New York

A guide for monument dealers on New York cemetery regulations, including the Cemetery Board's role, New York City-specific rules, and what varies by region.

5 min
Jul 14
Cemetery Rules

Cemetery Monument Rules in Pennsylvania

What Pennsylvania monument dealers need to know about cemetery regulations, including the PA Burial Ground Act and how individual cemeteries enforce their own specifications.

5 min
Jun 8
Cemetery Rules

Cemetery Monument Rules in New Jersey

An overview of monument regulations in New Jersey cemeteries, including size limits, base requirements, and the state oversight framework dealers need to know.

5 min
May 10
Buying Guide

Standard Monument Sizes Explained

A practical guide to standard monument dimensions for upright monuments, flat markers, and slant markers, with sizing conventions used across the industry.

5 min
Apr 22
Materials

Granite vs. Marble Monuments: Which Is Right?

An honest comparison of granite and marble for cemetery monuments, covering durability, maintenance, cost, and what most cemeteries actually allow.

5 min
Mar 15
Buying Guide

How to Order a Granite Headstone: A Complete Guide for Dealers

A step-by-step walkthrough of the wholesale headstone ordering process, from selecting granite and size to approving artwork and coordinating delivery.

6 min

Ready to Place a Wholesale Order?

Monument Planet supplies dealers, funeral homes, and cemeteries across the Northeast with premium wholesale granite monuments sourced from 12 countries.

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