Why does the cemetery make me feel like I can only buy from them?
Cemeteries are in business to make a profit and when they lose potential customers, they do not make money. It is not unheard of that a cemetery will use tactics to dissuade a customer from purchasing from an outside dealer.

Will the cemetery accept a headstone purchased from you?
Yes, as long as the headstone meets their requirements they are legally bound to accept the memorial. It is your choice to purchase a headstone from wherever you like.

Can the cemetery charge me an installation fee if I purchase from you?
The truth is if they charge an installation fee for a headstone purchased from an outside source, they must also charge if the headstone is purchased from them. You should not be penalized for purchasing from another dealer.

Could I add a vase to an existing headstone?
If you already have a headstone for your loved one and want to add a flower vase unit we can help. We offer a bronze vase unit mounted to a granite base. It can be placed above the existing headstone so flowers can be displayed in honour of the deceased.

What is the difference between a bronze and a sandblasted granite headstone?
Bronze is an alloy that is made primarily of copper and tin. It has been in use for thousands of years and is one of the strongest alloys on earth. It will endure the natural elements for years to come. Bronze headstones consist of a bronze plaque mounted on a base of granite. The design, name and dates are all cast onto the plaque in the form of a relief sculpture. Granite is a product of nature. It is one of the hardest stones known to man and comes in an array of beautiful colours. When brought to a polish it provides a rich and deep luster that is both appealing to the eye and enduring of the natural elements. Modern technology has enabled us to engrave granite by means of sandblasting. It is a very efficient and precise method of memorializing a departed loved one. Granite headstones are the most common in cemeteries.

If I purchase a pre-need grave headstone who will take care of adding my death date?
If you have purchased a pre-need grave headstone and are concerned about the addition of the death date, it is recommended you instruct a family member to do one of the following. If it is a bronze headstone supply them with a copy of the original receipt so they can contact us and order a date of death scroll to be mounted on the bronze. If it is a sandblasted granite headstone you should instruct them to contract us or a local monument dealer to add the date of death to the headstone.

Can you do lettering in a different language?
We can engrave on granite headstones most foreign languages that use the English alphabet plus Chinese, Korean, Hebrew, and Arabic for no additional cost.

What are your qualifications?
Most Independent monument builders such as Excelsior Monuments have generations of skills and experience handed down to provide and guide you to a satisfying memorial purchase.

Please contact us if we can be of any service to you, or just to answer questions that you may have...