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Memorial Headstone Business

Opening a Headstone Shop

Summary: The three main things essential for this business are: access to granite suppliers, acquisition of an etching tool, putting up a workshop and hire personnel.

People don't often think of starting a memorial headstone business as a lucrative source of income.

And yet it is one the more successful micro-businesses out there. In fact, the advent of more modern technology has only enhanced this sort of trade; technology like laser, and online commerce.

There is no such thing as a commercial production and manufacturing of memorial headstones. Each and every piece must be custom-made. This is one property of this trade that makes it very valuable and highly in demand. Although manufacturing memorial headstones can be profitable on its own, many micro entrepreneurs in this kind of business set-up also create and market granite-based products like cemetery monuments or memorial benches or any product within that line.

History of Headstone

Although the practice of placing more permanent headstones on graves had always been practiced since time immemorial, it did not really “catch on” until the 7th century, particularly among the more influential names in Europe. Stone masons became especially popular, and those who can make more intricate and grandiose headstones command the highest commissions.

Competition among families to outdo each other in the graveyard scene became so much so that carved headstones not only carried the name of the deceased and his or her date of birth, but also some form of biographical data, complete with chosen writing, symbols and even the family’s coat of arms. When that simply could not “broadcast” the deceased supposed influence anymore, stone masons were hired to create statues like weeping angels or grand stone effigies of the deceased.

Initial Investment for Headstone Business

In this kind of business, you would of course, need access to granite suppliers. Almost all modern memorial headstones are now carved in granite. This tough but durable rock comes in an assortment of shades. Unless you intend to get a large workshop that would be complete with stone cutting tools, it is essential to find a supplier who would also do the granite cutting, shaping and polishing for you.

The bulk of your investment will of course go into the acquisition of an etching tool for the headstone. Although the least expensive of all are hand-carving tools, you would still need a highly skilled and fully trained artisan to do the work. These days, lasers combined with software help make the etchings more intricate, even allowing for pictures to be fully detailed in the headstones.

A workshop is necessary; preferably one that has safety measures aptly installed in the entire areas. There are safety regulations necessary in this line of work and for that, you must acquire workshop permits and health regulation permits from the local government.

It might also work to your advantage if you have several personnel that you can assign to different tasks like delivering your products, etching the stones, receiving requests and catalogues from potential clients. Although, the last part is now being touted in websites, which makes this kind of business more accessible to more people, affording the clients more time to choose, and possibly even giving them a wider selection of products to choose from.

The two current trends these days concerning this trade are ultra-personalized headstones (some with picture etchings, even music playing) and pet memorial headstones.

23 Responses to "Memorial Headstone Business".

1. Tony Thao on 1/7/2009 6:51:15 PM

Hello, Can anyone help me or provided me more information on how to start a Memorial Headstone Business. Please email me. Thank you for your time.

2. Judy Maki on 2/9/2009 1:35:04 PM

I have been wanting to start my own business and have been told the headstone business would be lucrative.

3. sophia clive on 2/15/2009 12:14:19 PM

hi, i've also been wanting to start a memorial headstone business. could you also advise me please? thanks for your time. regards sophia

4. Corteney on 2/25/2009 11:08:48 PM

I need assistance in starting a headstone business. If anyone out there has any information, please email me. Thanks.

5. Corteney on 2/26/2009 10:32:28 PM

I am resubmitting this. I need assistance in starting a headstone business. If anyone out there has any information, please email me @ ccallis8@comcast.net Thanks.

6. tony reed on 3/2/2009 5:24:04 PM

i am already in the concrete statuary business, and would anybody have any info of how to get in the headstone, monument business, thank you.

7. Paul Ownbey on 3/17/2009 5:44:53 AM

Hello,my sons are doing granite countertops and would like to look into the headstone business. They just finished their grandfathers headstone which came out fantastic. Any information into the trade would be helpful, thank you.

8. barry nikal on 3/23/2009 1:21:40 PM

does anybody have any info on how to start a headstone business, monument business. is there schooling involved etc. please e-mail me: bnikal@hotmail.com

9. Cindy on 4/3/2009 3:59:34 AM

Hi If you plan to start granite headstone, kindly contact me. We are manufacturer in China. You can source fine quality materials with good price from us. call me at 86-138 6016 5075

10. Erik Zurbruegg on 4/30/2009 7:18:12 PM

Hello, I came across your website and I would also like to start my own monument business. Would I be better off going to work for a shop then venture on my own. Also if possible what about buying an existing business??? I am familiar with the industry somewhat. I've worked on the cemetery side and fixed and installed foundations for future monuments. Please Help, My email address is as listed ezurbruegg@twcny.rr.com Thanks, Erik

11. Cynthia on 6/3/2009 2:18:00 PM

I've been looking into starting my own headstone business, I'm just totally fascinated with the whole idea of creating something special for the resting place of people's loved ones. I just have NO idea where to start. Please E-mail me with any info. Thanks!

12. troy on 7/4/2009 6:21:27 PM

I would like some information on a headstone business, thanks.

13. ciaran on 7/6/2009 4:14:37 PM

hi, i am looking into starting my own business selling headstones and to be honest i don't know where to start. i would be so grateful if anyone has any information for this if you do could you please email me at karen22xox@hotmail.co.uk

14. Gwendolyn on 7/15/2009 4:23:08 PM

I would like to start my own headstone business, looking for someone with some insight as to how? your time would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

15. Gwendolyn on 7/15/2009 4:26:25 PM

Please contact me with any info GSteedle@msn.com. thanks for your time

16. Richard on 7/24/2009 2:38:16 PM

Hi, i was looking into the headstone business and wanted to know if anyone could give me some direction. Thank You.

17. Richard on 7/24/2009 2:39:50 PM

My email is fannin@fannin.com Thank You.

18. aaron on 7/24/2009 10:32:53 PM

Hi, i was looking into the headstone business and wanted to know if anyone could give some direction. Thank you

19. aaron on 7/27/2009 9:51:04 PM

my email is aaron69@peoplepc.com thank you

20. Amanda on 8/19/2009 5:24:03 PM

My husband and I were looking into starting our own headstone business and wondering if anyone could give us some information. You can contact us fosterma@highland.net. Thank you!

21. mike on 8/30/2009 2:50:27 PM

i would like to know where i can buy headstones in bulk in northeastern pa. i also would like to start my own business but it's hard to find any info. (thanks)

22. Martin Enriquez on 9/6/2009 1:43:52 PM

I would like to start my own headstone business as well. Reading the above article, my question is, do you have to have a facility to start with? Also, can the distributor who supplies the stone also be the source to cut, shape and engrave the stone? If there is any other information any one can help provide me with. I'd certainly appreciate it, e-mail me at silver_tiger2@yahoo.com

23. noel on 10/1/2009 4:14:12 PM

hi, i am involved in the stone business for 15 years in making headstones and other products from raw material. i cover all areas like making, polishing, lettering and fitting. my web site is nationwidememorials.org. you can contact me and i can help you with any queries.

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