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About

Monument (noun) Merriam-Webster 3a(1) definition: a lasting evidence, reminder, or example of someone or something notable or great.

 

It is a common misconception that the only purpose a monument serves is to identify the final resting place of a loved one. Although that is true, a monument serves a much greater purpose. It serves as a perpetual memorial of the memories of a loved that since passed on or an event of great significance.

 

Since Old Testament biblical times, people have been erecting monuments to commemorate and serve as a ceaseless reminder of a life or an event worth remembering. The very word monument comes from the Greek word "mnemosynon" and the Latin "moneo" or "monere" which means "to remind". Whether you are standing on the once blood soaked grounds of Gettysburg gazing at the Gettysburg National Cemetery, or at the McClellan Gate overlooking Arlington National Cemetery, or even on the southwestern slope of Mt. Zion in Jerusalem peering out over Mt. Zion Cemetery, you will see these monuments still standing today.

 

These monuments were built with the yearning that they would last forever. In Duxbury, Massachusetts, in the Myles Standish Burial Ground, you will find the oldest carved gravestone belonging to Captain Jonathan Alden who died February 14, 1697. Almost 324 years have passed since Captain Alden died yet his gravestone still commemorates his life to this day. One thing you will find amongst almost any cemetery is that of a caretaker. Someone who assumes the responsibility of making sure these monuments receive the care necessary for their longevity.

 

Here in rural East Tennessee, and in many other rural parts of the country, in most cases, the responsibility of upkeep of the monument lies solely upon the family of the loved one. Over time, different biological elements will take their toll on these sacred monuments. In just about every cemetery you find yourself in, you will be able to see visible evidence of this effect by noticing oxidation, hydrolysis, calcium deposits, lichen and even moss present on the monument. Though the severity of these effects differ with each monument, when not properly cared for, the same result is inevitable.

 

A funeral director by trade, I have stood in countless cemeteries and seen these effects first hand and have thought to myself, "I could make a difference." I realize that in the fast-paced society we live in, most of the time it is difficult for families to dedicate the time necessary to maintain the appearance and structural integrity of their loved ones burial site. It is not an intentional neglect, rather it is a necessary service that is rarely taken into consideration. Having dealt in monument sales throughout my career as a funeral director, I have accumulated knowledge regarding the care and upkeep of not only monuments but also of burial sites that allows me to be in a position where I can offer families assistance in the restoration and maintenance of their loved ones resting place. I realize first hand the expense that goes into having not only a monument but also a final resting place for a loved one. I believe that with proper care, it is an expense that will be able to serve as a memorial for a life well lived for generations to come.

 

I thank you for prayerfully considering allowing me the privilege to be a help to not only you but to the memory of your loved one. God Bless.

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