Pet memorial plaques are a very practical type of memorial to honor the memory of a loyal friend and family member in a dignified way. Some people unnecessarily spend a lot of money on such items as grave stones, bronze monuments, and various other types of pet gravestones without ever realizing the options available to them.
A granite pet memorial is a much more practical way to preserve the memories of these valued family members. Plaques made of granite serve very well as outdoor memorial plaques, provided the engraver seals the pores of the stone plaque.
We recommend the following pet memorial plaques engraver(s):
Etching Pros
www.etchingpros.com
Some people seem to be unsure, even embarrassed about grieving the loss of a pet. You should not be. We believe that pets are as much a family member as anyone. If a human family member passes, there is a funeral ceremony, gravestones, cemetery markers, or other type of memorial. We feel, if a pet is also a family member, then the pet deserves a memorial also. Pet memorial plaques or other pet memorial markers can serve as a focal point of remembrance, honoring to the lost companion, and bringing back good memories to those left behind.
An interesting use of memorial granite is to have a photo of the loved one, be it human or pet, engraved on the plaque and then gluing the plaque directly to the gravestone. The granite memorial available from funereal services and attached to human gravestones are very expensive and must be custom ordered, costing typically many hundreds of dollars and generally don’t hold up that well over time. All you need to do is visit a local cemetery to verify this for yourself.
A much less expensive way to attach a photo likeness of the deceased to a headstone is to order a laser etched granite plaque and glue it directly to the headstone. Many people have had great success doing this. There are two things you must observe:
1.) The laser engraved granite plaque must be completely sealed. Most engravers don’t take this extra step and if you use a plaque that has not been properly chemically sealed against moisture, the stone will degrade over time. Just make sure the engraver takes this extra step and seals the granite stone. Remember, most don’t.
2.) The other important item is the glue. You must use completely waterproofed glue. The glue you use should also hold up under heat and cold. The only glue we recommend for this application is Gorilla Glue. The bottom line is that it has been successfully used for this particular application many, many times. Try it and let us know how you made out.
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Tip #2
Selecting the correct type of stone for a grave marker or memorial stone is a good idea. Although both marble and granite make excellent pet memorials, the granite is better suited for outdoors as opposed to marble as a grave marker. The reason is that the polished attributes of marble will cause a bit more maintenance due to adverse weather conditions. Granite is less highly polished and therefore it may be the better choice.
There is no doubt your pet was a cherished companion and truly part of your family. A pet memorial plaque, which can be displayed indoors or outdoors is an appropriate and dignified remembrance. It can be used as a memorial garden plaque or a simple memorial marker. This is a wonderful tribute to the life that touched yours. Some people choose a bronze memorial plaque, but they can be very expensive and not nearly as enduring as custom engraved stones such as granite. A pet memorial plaque can serve as a focal point of remembrance and connection to your pet.
Dealing with Pet loss
Pet loss is something that we unfortunately have to deal with, but a memorial plaque is not only a fitting tribute and one of the least expensive pet monuments you can purchase; it can be a source of remembrance and comfort for years to come.
Pet Memorial Plaques – Many types are available
Dog memorial plaques or a cat memorial plaque are the most common made; however custom memorial plaques can be made for any type of pet, including larger equine memorial granite specifically for horses. Sizes can vary depending on individual tastes and what your budget allows.
A few tips on choosing the right pet memorial plaque and engraver
Tip #1: There are a number of things to consider when selecting a pet memorial engraver. More important then price is quality. However, paying top dollar for a memorial plaque does not necessarily insure you will be receiving the best product, and an unusually cheap price may be indications that some shortcuts are being taken. Regardless of the stone being engraved, granite or marble, the stone itself has pores through which moisture can enter. Most people are not aware of this fact, and most engravers do not submit their finished engraved stone to a chemical sealing bath, but they should. A chemical seal applied after the engraving process is completely invisible and closes the pores of the stone preventing damaging moisture from ever entering. This is particularly important for outdoor memorial plaques which can be subject to wet conditions.
More tips in the next post.
