Funeral Planning: 5 Best Brands

For Memorial Headstones

Nobody wants to plan a funeral, nor do they enjoy the thought of everything that goes into planning a funeral. Alas, it’s one of those things in life that you can’t really avoid. Whether you’re planning ahead to make life easier for your loved ones when you pass, or you’re already in the planning stage for a family member’s funeral, you want to make sure that everything is as perfect as it can be. 

Your biggest concern is ensuring that the loved one is remembered in the best way. For many people, this starts with a headstone. It’s a lovely way to show your appreciation for someone who’s passed on and to make sure that you mark their final resting place. Shopping around for headstones is a big challenge, especially when you don’t really know what to look for. This post will offer some words of advice, starting with five great brands to choose from for quality memorial headstones. 

1. Memorials.com

If you’re looking for the best headstone provider, then Memorials.com will probably always be at the top of the list. This brand has been manufacturing and supplying grave headstones for over 25 years, and it offers a few key features that make its products hard to beat. For one, all headstones can be made in granite or bronze – two of the most robust materials out there, ensuring that the stone remains in excellent condition for as long as possible, and is very easy to keep clean. 

Secondly, the headstones are fully customizable, and there are over 2,500 varieties in total. You’ve got the more traditional upright headstones, as well as flat headstones and grave markers, so there’s plenty of choice. But most of all, you’re getting something of an extremely high quality, which is exactly what you should aim for when commemorating a loved one. 

2. Legacy Headstones

Legacy Headstones has been helping families honor loved ones since 1921, making it an incredibly experienced brand to go to for this sort of thing. Honestly, that’s the main reason this brand is on the list: you know what you’re getting from it, and with over 11,000 reviews on Trustpilot, it’s a company you should feel very comfortable with. 

There are lots of headstone styles to choose from, and the quality is hard to match. The lack of any bronze options is what keeps it from stealing away the number one spot, though you may appreciate the different graphics one can place on the headstones from this brand. Some may think this is a bit too corny, but others like the idea of an American flag, butterflies, or other greetings on their stones. 

3. Signature Headstones

We’re giving Signature Headstones a shout-out in third place because it has some features that we know a lot of families appreciate. Please be aware that high-quality headstones can and should cost thousands of dollars, though spending this much money isn’t always possible for everyone. What this brand does best is that it provides a lot of budget-friendly choices that cost hundreds instead of thousands. 

These won’t be the highest-quality gravestones, but they still look fantastic and can last a very long time with regular maintenance. Better quality headstones are also available from this company, but it’s speciality is definitely the ability to make some cost-effective options that cater to all families. 

4. Supreme Memorials

Supreme Memorials has been proudly serving the public since 1951, so it’s another company with bags of experience in making and supplying memorial products. This family-run business is already in its fourth generation, so making headstones runs in its blood – and that’s reflected in the gorgeous designs and expert craftsmanship. 

We’re at that point in the list where it’s hard to separate companies, so we have to look for some key selling points that help brands stand out. With Supreme Memorials, it’s the option for on-site monument engraving, which means you can purchase a headstone from anywhere else and they’ll still engrave it for you. We think that’s a nice touch as it shows the company is simply willing to help in your time of need and isn’t overly push with its sales tactics. 

5. Shastone Memorials

As a family-owned business with over 100 years of experience, Shastone Memorials has created a unique 5-step design process to help you craft the perfect memorial. It begins with a consultation that talks through your options before finding the right design for your loved one. There’s then a step involving personalization before the team’s expert craftsman bring the whole design to live. 

It ends with some final touches as they install the gravestone in the cemetery for you, so this is a true “all-in-one” service from start to finish. The company is also comfortable handling lots of different designs; it offers options for Jewish families, catholics, or traditional Asian headstones. 

What To Consider When Buying A Headstone

There’s no denying that buying a headstone and planning a funeral can take its toll on your mental health. Seeing these brands can help you know where to buy this type of memorial product – but what are some of the key things to consider before you purchase anything? 

• Cemetery regulations – some may have rules that state only a specific type of headstone can be used. E.g. Flat headstones only. 
• Material – you ideally want the most durable material, which is normally granite. 
• Personalization – often the hardest part of the buying process, as you have to figure out what words to place on the headstone to remember your loved one. Take your time with this and keep in mind that most companies will charge per character for engraving. 
• Budget – of course, you should work out your budget for a headstone. Look at how much headstones tend to cost and then figure out what’s a feasible option for you. 

It will be a very stressful time for you, so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask people to help during the headstone-buying process. This is also why a lot of people are taking to buying their own headstones way before they pass away. If this is something you’re considering, then it will at least allow your family to be all set when the moment comes. 

The post Funeral Planning: 5 Best Brands For Memorial Headstones appeared first on SB Magazine.

When You Need Time Off Work: 3 Things To Keep In Mind

It can be quite hard to ask your boss to give you the day off. Every single day up and down the country, hundreds of thousands of people struggle with the choice to stay at home, rest, and recover, or ring their boss and see if it’s even possible to be authorized with some PTO. 

And for a lot of people, it’s far too common to hear that you have to come in or risk losing your job in the long run. 

But when you’re trying to both be a good employee and live your own personal life, these two sides can clash and make things impossible. If you’re disabled, have a chronic illness, or you’re a working parent with lots of family responsibilities, you simply don’t get enough time off as you need. 

And that’s why it’s important to know your rights. When you need to take some time off work, but you’re not sure what you can do, keep these 3 things in mind. 

Try to Give as Much Notice as Possible

It’s always a good idea to warn your manager, supervisor, or boss as far ahead of time as you possibly can. 

If you need to ask for time off for something that’s been booked in advance, don’t go to them the day before and say you need to take a couple hours tomorrow afternoon. It won’t go down well, and it certainly won’t earn you any goodwill regarding your time keeping. 

Of course, you won’t always be able to give notice or put in a leave request. But if there’s even a slight hint that you might need time off, make sure the seniors on your team are aware ASAP.

Check What’s Covered Under the FMLA

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) covers a few health and wellness situations, and more than most people think. You can even be covered under the FMLA for rehab, if you need time and space to cope with addiction issues or setbacks in your recovery journey. 

If you work for an employer that’s covered under the FMLA, you could get up to 12 weeks of protected leave every single year without suffering any workplace consequences or retribution from your employer themselves. 

However, these 12 weeks won’t be paid, so your finances can still become a bit wobbly while you’re using your time off. 

You Don’t Have to Give Details

When you request time off, it’s common to feel like you need to give as much explanation around your reasons as possible. 

It feels like the only way your boss would understand, and be willing to give you the time you need, is if they’re kept entirely in the loop, right down to the sensitive details.

But you don’t need to overshare here. When you need time off, you simply need to say so, and provide a general reason as to why.

If you need time off, be brief, give notice, and check your FMLA eligibility. 

The post When You Need Time Off Work: 3 Things To Keep In Mind appeared first on SB Magazine.