Gravesite Markers and Memorials

Wisconsin Family Still Waiting for Gravesite Marker

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:19:59 +0000

In December of 2007, a Wisconsin family lost Sandra Sherrill, wife and mother. According to a local news source, the family paid a monument company to place a marker at the grave, but two years later, it’s not there – and never was.

The husband, Wayne Sherrill, signed a contract with a local monument company and paid a deposit of more than $700 in order to place a bronze marker at his wife’s gravesite. Today, Sherrill and his daughter, Lisa, are still waiting for the bronze marker to be placed there.

“We come out here frequently, and it’s just hard to find. We have to walk until we can find it because it looks like nothing is there at all,” said Sherrill.

The family has attempted to contact the company numerous times. Unfortunately, no contact has been made. Apparently, phones are not answered, calls are not returned, and no one is ever there when a member of the family tries to pay a visit. As a result, the family has contacted another company to finish the process they started so long ago.

This is such a horrible story on how grieving families can be taken advantage of. Make sure to know who you are dealing with and get some recommendations from others or a funeral director before making major funeral arrangement purchases.

Destroyed Grave Markers In B.C.

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:16:53 +0000

Twenty gravesite markers were discovered destroyed in a Canadian cemetery on Monday. The graves belonged to victims of war and deceased veterans. The violent act is said to have devastated local veterans and their families, and speculators believe the vandals were young and had “nothing better to do” but drink and loiter in the cemetery late that night.

The graves are located in a special section of the Greenwood Cemetery in Port Alberni, B.C. The special section, called the Field of Honour, was established as a place for veterans of armed conflicts from the Alberni Valley to be honored and buried. This section is the final resting place for approximately 500 soldiers who had fought in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Each gravesite is marked by a cross and a name plate of the deceased veteran. Officials said the damaged crosses were beyond repair.

Listen To the Experts: Ask Headstone Questions Early

admin — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:24:35 +0000

Families are advised to ask lots of questions of your funeral director or cemetery representative before making any decisions. This is not only so that you get everything you want for your service but also so that the final price won’t e a complete suprise. Take it from someone who knows.

There is a great article in the Cleveland Jewish News profiling Karen Gutner, a headstone and monument saleswoman with Classic Memorials at Cedar Center. She outlines the many issues that arise as she speaks with families making funeral plans and how she helps them understand how they can save money on headstones, the regulations they must follow with the monuments and the options available for everyone.

Citizens Protecting Abused Children To Buy Headstone

admin — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:10:56 +0000

There is an incredible, heartbreaking story out of Milwaukie about a woman who is trying to raise money to purchase a headstone for a child killed while in foster care.

Excerpt from the News Story

A Milwaukee-area woman is raising money to buy a headstone for a 1-year old boy, killed in foster care.

Prosecutors said Chrisotpher Thomas was beaten for months by his foster mother, before he died in November. For now, the boy’s grave is unmarked, but Becky Welk is working to change that.

To donate to the fund, below is the bank information.

Christopher Thomas Headstone Fund
TCF Bank
4375 S. 76th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53220
Account: Citizens Protecting Abused Children