I use to do monuments in Crowley, LA. I use to draw and cut out the designs by hand and an exacto knife. I put everything from opossums to the Last Supper on stone. I enjoyed my work and truly miss it. The business was the press and letters on plastic type rubber. It was nothing like you see in this video. It was really busy and one of the best in the area.
I routinely walk in two large cemeteries and have become sort of a stone connoisseur over the years. Stones from the early 1900's that are made of granite have phenomenal artwork that has stood the test of time. I have purchased my stone and plan to replicate the process. I absolutely agree with the "vase" issue. In my cold climate, they fill with water and debris and end up cracking in the winter months. Ninety percent of the ones that see never have flowers in them. Etched stones are beautiful when purchased, however, they do fade quickly and I have actually repainted some to make them look better. I assume the direction of the sun and weather play a huge part in that. I am glad that you showed an unpainted stone after etching, it allows you to see what it may look like in 50 years. Thank you for your video. I had no idea about the work involved in getting to the finished project. It makes me feel a little guilty about my requests. :-(
My mom's marker lays flat. I was able to get a blue stone. I remember the first time I went to see the marker after it had been put in place. It was a sunny day. I was several yards away from mom's grave and I could see the blue on the stone just gleaming in the Sun. My first thought was that it looks so cool. I knew I did something right, Mom would have approved. I also received lots of compliments. $1,611.00 was what I was charged.
I have cleaned my Dads here in the UK, soapy hot water, dried off and then I coat regularly with Meguiars Carnuba polish. Shines lovely and repels any bird droppings etc.
Wow, another 3 year old video recommendation from UA-cam, lol, Omg you're so gorgeous! I can't believe you don't have over a million subscribers. That painting part was amazing, very beautiful artwork indeed. Thanks for everything you do Kari!
Your comments about the vases are so true! We buried both my mom & dad in 2017. They had their headstone already in place (for about 20 yrs). The vases are already full of goop. Luckily we are able to go see them often to put flower out for them. But I know I'll move & there won't be anyone able to do that on a regular basis. Flowers were very important to my mom & we tried to give her flowers every month when she was alive. Anyway, your comments about the vases should be taken to heart. Give flowers while people are alive, it'll mean more. Also, cleaning the headstone. My parents are buried next to my Aunt & Uncle. Their headstones were made by the same local company, just in different shops with different technicians. My Aunt & Uncle's headstones are still beautiful, my parents, a mess. It has "weeped" & has water stains & looks terrible, although newer. We had the company come & professionally clean it, but it still looks bad. Do you know why this would happen? There is nothing we can do short of replacing it. The company will not do that. Huge expense for a poor looking memorial.
I’m going to be getting a headstone for my high school girlfriend. She’s buried next to her father who was murdered back when we were in high school. Her mother couldn’t afford her headstone. She always had a turtle that she took with her everywhere. I’m going to have a turtle engraved on her headstone.
Kari Northey Thank you. She died in 2010 and I didn’t know about it until a couple weeks afterwards. I still haven’t had the chance to see her burial site. I’m hoping in the next couple weeks I’ll be able to make a quick trip there in order to make it happen.
Kari Northey Kari Northey Hi Kari! Your response didn’t show in my notifications. We dated our last two years in high school but had known each other for about four years before that. One of her favorite hobbies was going to cemeteries and looking at tombstones. Her father was murdered by a jealous admirer of her mother. And she’s now buried next to him. We never broke up. But I left the state to go to school and our lives simply drifted apart. I really feel the need to go pay her some respects in the near future.
Thanks for the explanation on the limestone markers that explains why it is hard to see some of the names In the civil war section at spring grove. I like to go to spring grove cemetery it's a good place to go and recharge your batteries
Was in this business for many years and it's not for the faint of heart. Have to be a good listener and can hear some horrible stories.Also need to know when to talk to close the deal. Very rewarding occupation and the opportunity to make many many new friends
Thanks for your pre planning video. I went to spring grove cemetery to get some prices. The man that I talk to roger was great. He didn't try to over sale any products he knew his steel gauges. We can sit it up on a payment plan locked in. Thanks for the info. Thanks again Kari ml
One of the most spectacular monuments I have seen was here in Springfield Mo. A monument made out of cast iron or bronze of a miniature doll house 2 foot tall to his daughter, who died as a child about 1880.
I'm thinking of starting back up in the funeral industry because you have sparked it back up for me! I still work at a funeral home but I'm a receptionist which isn't all that exciting but the excitement kicks in when get to clam a grieving family or assist a family, it reminds of my days as a funeral director.
Kari Northey: My favorite part was getting to work with people who had the same morbid interests as me which was in the funeral industry and of course seeing the impact I could have on a family in their hours of need.
I really like how you explain everything, very clear. I am waiting for the stone of a family lot I bought. This documentary has been very useful. Thank you.
This show is the best one of its kind. Kari the Mortician was very thorough on the subject of monument making. I am surprised that computer technology (that I relish) plays a role in the creation of monument design with graphic arts. I wish that such a business exist in New York.
Great video Kari....I worked in that industry for 26 yrs....a physically demanding job but was so rewarding in knowing the families I helped over the years....back then was marble or grey or black granite.....today so many wonderful options for families....thanks again...brought back great memories for me remembering my work in the monument business.....
we built a bench out of wood for my brother in law and his head stone looks like wood it's awesome he was a wood worker so it suited him. Also my grandfather was a owner of one of the train company's in Kentucky his head stone is a train cost a lot of money but he was worth every cents we paid it took them a month to 2 months to make it
So informative never realized how much time and how many different variations of headstone options we have. And being a veteran I like the match option. Thanks Kari for the time and effort you take for us.
WOW! How amazing is that 🤩! Had no idea how that happened. We live near two headstone places that makes them but, I don't think 🤔 they explained things when Mom and Dad was looking at the granite monuments. However, the cemetery they will be at one day hopefully not for another twenty years.😁 only let you have flat bronze headstone.
i am so glad i happened upon your site. the info you give is so valuable to us. that you take the time to do these videos shows what a fine person you are. and please do not be offended when i tell you you are cute as a button. no, i am not weird, just have good taste. ty again for all your hard work doing these videos
A stone, standing, saying to eternity, "This place is Sacred". A stone, standing, bearing a name, saying, "This place is Sacred to me.", A stone, standing, carved and embossed. with writing that tells a story, saying "This place is Sacred to many." Stones, standing, row on row, rank and file, each with a name, rank and date, saying "We were an Army" and at their head, stones towering saying, "And I am their leader, here in this Sacred place." Stones laid, close to the ground, all in a row, neat and tidy, so the mower can go over them, keeping everything orderly and conformed, saying, "We are the many, the common and the ordinary and this is where we lay forever, making this Sacred Space.
Thank you so much for the info. I remember growing up and going to the cemeteries Memorial Day weekend. Where my grandparents are buried here in Michigan, it is a Danish Cemetery and they have pictures on their headstones. Unfortunately, about 20+ years ago, the cemetery was vandalized and many of these headstones were destroyed. So sad.
I drove 18 wheeler ,Flatbed and used to transport these Huge blocks of granite out of a quarry in Faith North Carolina back in the mid 1990's ,they told me that the granite was used to make everything from kitchen sink counter tops to Headstones
It’s amazing what they can do with monuments .... I find cemetery’s so amazing and peaceful .... So much history Ps I got my degree in social work from MSU in east Lansing
I work with incoming families as they enter hospice , it basically is one of the jack of all trades sometimes I work to prep for funeral talks, they want to know what’s coming and don’t at the same time ... as hospice is “heavens waiting room” so your videos help inform me a lot as at times I am asked questions that only funeral directors know and I do keep in touch w some locally , and have information (most families are in that interim phase where they are adjusting to the idea of knowing your loved ones days are numbered so they come and talk with me I facilitate everything between the time they come in and time they exit this world and the body has to be turned over where your job then comes into play I started loving the line of hospice when I worked at sparrow hospice in Lansing and it’s stuck w me in my travels .... it’s emotionally draining at times as I’m sure your job is as well much more so .... but I’m glad I happened upon your page and your links I’m sure will help many families as they dip their toes into the unknowns to come
I really enjoyed this tour. I ordered my Mother’s headstone the end of last September and didn’t understand why it was taking so long to be delivered. Took over two months. The local cemetery orders them from a monument company in Georgia. So this was something else I learned that sometimes they travel long distances to get to your loved one.
Very interesting. I'd LOVE to do what that laser/ painter gal does. I use to work with cancer patients and teach them artwork. Of course for the patients that knew they weren't going to live long, that piece of artwork for their loved ones was priceless. It is EXTREMELY REWARDING and very humbling to be a small part of that aspect of their lives. Thank you for posting this.
I just had a headstone made for my brother. It should be at his grave this or next month. It was something that is very important to me. I have 5 living siblings that it wasn't as important to, but I couldn't stand the thought of my brother in an unmarked grave. I'm sure they were thinking of doing it at a later time, but I couldn't wait for a year or 2. My brother is very important to me. I just wish he had remembered that before he died.
I have been researching how to clean to stones and you mentioned using bleach, however everything that I have read about cleaning them says not to use bleach to clean any of the stones, regardless of the material that it's made from. Also NO pressure washing ever. Now I'm confused..lol
Not to sound morbid, I ran a very nice boutique. Two women came in looking a dress for their Aunt who had passed for burial. They said she never wore a dress. I said, “Well, don’t bury her in one. A nice pair of pants and a top would be perfect for her.” One of my employees had to take them down the street to JC Penneys for pants as we didn’t have a nice pair for the top we picked. When my employee returned she said, “That was not fun”. I told her, “Think about this, that lady is resting forever in an outfit we selected. I think that’s very comforting that we helped them.”
I would love to do this for a living! I sculpt in my free time ( mostly digitally), and would truly enjoy creating monuments for people, and history! Any advice on how to enter this traid?
Hi Kari, I'm a 33 year old looking to go back to school (BA in poli sci/econ 2009) for mortuary science, and spending some time learning all I can about funeral directing, embalming, and the business in general. Your videos have been so fantastic and helpful to get a real feel for the job and the realities of the industry! There is just so little in the way of video resources that I can listen to or watch while working my 9-5. It seems like with each one of your videos, I am more and more convinced that this is a calling for me that I'd like to pursue. I also think you offer information in a pretty neutral matter-of-fact way, which isn't how I've often interacted with death professionals in the media. I love Caitlin Doughty and the Order of the Good Death, but I also feel strongly that families who want a traditional embalming and burial need to be served as well. Thank you so much!!!
I was a stone fabricator for a few years and this was very interesting to see. I made counter tops, sinks and back splashes. Maybe I could do this job with my knowledge... hmm.
Very interesting Kari. I've always wondered how they made headstones, especially such ornate ones. And, as you, I have quite a great fascination of cemeteries. Particularly, OLD cemeteries. I love old mausoleums also. Back in UP North Wisconsin, there is a crypt, in the hillside, alongside a road. I'd have to ask my mom where it is. I also love the old style, horse-drawn, hearse. I'm an old soul. Maybe this explains my interest in Edgar Allan Poe. Thank you again, and always good seeing you. Happy Halloween! Lol!
Kari Northey Kari, I should do videos of the various Cemeteries and Mausoleums here in Colorado. At Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, there is 'The Tower of Memories' Mausoleum from the early 1900's. Dog, The Bounty Hunter's daughter is entombed there. The Mausoleum is very grand, and is so big that where they located it within the Cemetery grounds, you are in awe! There are also interesting Cemeteries from the 1800's, and many of the graves are sunken in now.
Kari Northey OK Kari, I did a couple videos at Crown Hill Cemetery and Mortuary, including "The Tower of Memories" Mausoleum. I'll have to redo it tomorrow or Sunday, because I (not knowing) had recorded in VGA low quality.
That’s very comforting. My husband and myself check out ours when we’re in our home town. And coincidentally, the stone next to ours belongs to a man who owned a roller rink where my husband used to go to as a teenager!
I clean my 2 dogs granite headstones with a cotton ball dipped in vinegar and then rinse with a lot of water. Dry them off with a towel and use a granite cleaner to give them a showroom shine. The cemetery that they are buried in is in the country so they use well water to irrigate the grass and the water is extremely mineralized with calcium and lime. It is very difficult to get the minerals off. I go every weekend during the summer to keep their headstones looking shiny and new.
OK Kari: here I am again. Back in the day, 2000 to 2003, I used to haul an acid based product into Mexico from Canada. It couldn't be produced here due to the EPA. I had massive sheets of granite to accompany this into Mexico. I was informed that they would put this into a chamber with the granite slabs and place bronze plates onto the granite. When they would expose this to air, the acid would vaporize and weld the bronze to the granite. Have you heard of this procedure? Can't use it in the states, but we could backhaul the finished product out of Mexico.
KARI this is Tom spell saying hi to you and I am going to be one hundred percent honest with you I wish that I have a the most beautiful mom like you you are so special in my heart
I wonder how they do the big 3d statues. There is a large 3d angel statue on a family plot marker in a cemetery near Rosewood, Ohio. It would be so interesting to see the process for making those. This is so interesting to see. It is so cool to see how the etching is done.
How is a name or death date added when it's already at the cemetery? Is there a machine that's brought out to where it's standing?? Thank you ahead of time Kari, I appreciate it.
A small manual sandblaster is taken to the cemetery they cover the rest of the stone with thick stencil to protect it and cut the final days in and blast it on the spot. I work making them that's how i know.
@@An1ma7_D1 Thank you. Like other people I wondered about how it was done. It must be difficult to write on an upright stone and scary in case you make a mistake. Blessings and peace
A manual sand blaster is brought in and the death date is laid out on the Monument with a rubber stencil. Sandblasted into the Monument and painted with litho paint. I do this for a living. If any of you ever find yourselves looking for my services in Middle Tennessee or North Alabama feel free to find me at Leoma Monument Works. Thanks and God bless!
Also sorry didn't want to add this to my other comment but my paternal grandfather died in 1998 and In Kentucky you didn't have to have a vault I noticed my grandpa's headstone started to sink after a few years after some flooding we took a trip to Kentucky and we did all the work added some dirt and concrete he was laid to rest on our family homestead where all of my family is buried it cost a lot to fix up the homestead to be able to make it look tasteful
That was really interesting and cool Kari. Do you have any idea if there's a monument company out there someplace who makes the old style headstones? I've looked and haven't been able to find anyone as of yet. Also, I have been watching a dozen or more channels who are in the business of cleaning headstones a d what most of them use is a spray bottle of a cleaner called D2. First, they wet it with water, then use a soft wood stick and scrape off the algae and then spray it with the D2, and then brush it with a soft brush, then let it sit for anywhere from 15-30 minutes, then rinse it with water and then repeat usually. And yes, they use an epoxy to connect the broken pieces of stones, and then if needed, use wooden framework to support it while the epoxy cures. Of course some of the stones are too far gone and in too many pieces if they're incredibly old, so in those cases they try to connect the pieces, make a 'permanent' frame to leave on the edges of the stone and reset it into a base for further protection. I have an ancestor that has such a stone, that I recently found out about and plan on visiting his gravesite this coming Fall. He was buried in 1877, so you can imagine the task I have in front of me. I plan on putting his story as well as how I found out about him and the genealogy I've discovered because of him, into a video on my channel. Which will probably be late winter or early Spring when I complete the restoration on his stone. Take care, I always enjoy your videos. And really enjoyed this one, that Woman Artist is perfect in that job...she really is a true Artist!
Love your vids especially as a future deathling.! In my younger years I worked in a monument shop and developed the skill from old school craftsmen. The process of removing polish is called frosting,,as in frosted glass. The tiny steel media is called steel shot. I heard you use the term “perpetual care” for cemeteries. This’s one phrase that is misunderstood. Most people assume someone will do maintenance etc on their family grave like mowing grass 125 yrs from now. Varies a bit from state to state but most of the time it funds an insurance type policy to insure the cemetery will never be abandoned or sold off out of existence. Who keeps the records? Will fallen trees be removed? Will roads and driveways be maintained for access? Fencing can deteriorate and need replaced. Perpetual care is usually monitored and regulated by state insurance dept, attorney generals or Secretary of State to insure that monies are set in escrow accounts. They are subject to audits every so often. This does not preclude normal maintenance such as annual spring cleanings. Families should not be afraid to do their own maintenance as allowed. I’m not sure everything is as stated but ask aa cemetery expert. An issue came up recently last year when heavy rains caused super grass and weeds and mowing was interrupted since you don’t mow in wet grass. When finally mowed grass trimmings were blown onto stones. Perpetual care folks demanded that every grave should be swept off. 16000 graves / 3 workers.it didn’t happen. Finally some service groups put out the fire. Interesting world. Regards.💐
I would love to work there! Those stones with the paint are beautiful but I would never waste my money since they fade like they do. I'd want them to be long lasting or what's the point? If your great grandparents try to find their family one day in the cemetery, they sure won't get to see it.
I hope you can answer this question. Did you ask if a granite marker that is already placed, can be reused? For example can the the writing be sanded down and reused?
Wow makes you appreciate the stones more. Those people that work there are very talented.
Yes they are
I just love this lady - I could listen to her all day. I just enjoy everything about her -
Wow thank you!
The painted one is absolutely stunning.❤
Kari, this video is great, I now know why grave stone costs so much.
thank you
I hauled stones to places across the US on a 18 wheeler. I am very proud I got o contribute. .
Very nice!
Wow, she’s very talented! That’s quite a process! Thanks Kari!
It really is!
OMG!!! The painted stone is beautiful!!! Must be pretty costly.
I don't know the exact price
I use to do monuments in Crowley, LA. I use to draw and cut out the designs by hand and an exacto knife. I put everything from opossums to the Last Supper on stone. I enjoyed my work and truly miss it. The business was the press and letters on plastic type rubber. It was nothing like you see in this video. It was really busy and one of the best in the area.
Very cool!
I routinely walk in two large cemeteries and have become sort of a stone connoisseur over the years. Stones from the early 1900's that are made of granite have phenomenal artwork that has stood the test of time. I have purchased my stone and plan to replicate the process. I absolutely agree with the "vase" issue. In my cold climate, they fill with water and debris and end up cracking in the winter months. Ninety percent of the ones that see never have flowers in them. Etched stones are beautiful when purchased, however, they do fade quickly and I have actually repainted some to make them look better. I assume the direction of the sun and weather play a huge part in that. I am glad that you showed an unpainted stone after etching, it allows you to see what it may look like in 50 years. Thank you for your video. I had no idea about the work involved in getting to the finished project. It makes me feel a little guilty about my requests. :-(
Thank you for sharing
My mom's marker lays flat. I was able to get a blue stone. I remember the first time I went to see the marker after it had been put in place. It was a sunny day. I was several yards away from mom's grave and I could see the blue on the stone just gleaming in the Sun. My first thought was that it looks so cool. I knew I did something right, Mom would have approved. I also received lots of compliments. $1,611.00 was what I was charged.
Thank you for posting. I've always had a curiosity about headstones. I love walking through old Cemeteries and reading them.
I have cleaned my Dads here in the UK, soapy hot water, dried off and then I coat regularly with Meguiars Carnuba polish. Shines lovely and repels any bird droppings etc.
Love seeing this video, never knew how much went into making these
Wow, another 3 year old video recommendation from UA-cam, lol, Omg you're so gorgeous! I can't believe you don't have over a million subscribers. That painting part was amazing, very beautiful artwork indeed. Thanks for everything you do Kari!
Thank you so much!!
Nice job young lady, a real informative video, cool music.👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thanks for listening
I like to look at century headstones see the age of the people and think about the victory they saw in their lifetine.etc...
Your comments about the vases are so true! We buried both my mom & dad in 2017. They had their headstone already in place (for about 20 yrs). The vases are already full of goop. Luckily we are able to go see them often to put flower out for them. But I know I'll move & there won't be anyone able to do that on a regular basis. Flowers were very important to my mom & we tried to give her flowers every month when she was alive. Anyway, your comments about the vases should be taken to heart. Give flowers while people are alive, it'll mean more. Also, cleaning the headstone. My parents are buried next to my Aunt & Uncle. Their headstones were made by the same local company, just in different shops with different technicians. My Aunt & Uncle's headstones are still beautiful, my parents, a mess. It has "weeped" & has water stains & looks terrible, although newer. We had the company come & professionally clean it, but it still looks bad. Do you know why this would happen? There is nothing we can do short of replacing it. The company will not do that. Huge expense for a poor looking memorial.
Granite
Beautiful painting and love the nature scene with the Bear 💜
This was really cool to watch and I learned alot but I love her sweatshirt!!!!
I’m going to be getting a headstone for my high school girlfriend. She’s buried next to her father who was murdered back when we were in high school. Her mother couldn’t afford her headstone. She always had a turtle that she took with her everywhere. I’m going to have a turtle engraved on her headstone.
Kari Northey Thank you. She died in 2010 and I didn’t know about it until a couple weeks afterwards. I still haven’t had the chance to see her burial site. I’m hoping in the next couple weeks I’ll be able to make a quick trip there in order to make it happen.
Kari Northey Kari Northey Hi Kari! Your response didn’t show in my notifications. We dated our last two years in high school but had known each other for about four years before that. One of her favorite hobbies was going to cemeteries and looking at tombstones. Her father was murdered by a jealous admirer of her mother. And she’s now buried next to him. We never broke up. But I left the state to go to school and our lives simply drifted apart. I really feel the need to go pay her some respects in the near future.
You are a wonderful person to do that god bless
Jacquelyn Baisden Thank you! It will be my honor. God Bless you and your family as well.
That is very kind.
Thanks for the explanation on the limestone markers that explains why it is hard to see some of the names In the civil war section at spring grove. I like to go to spring grove cemetery it's a good place to go and recharge your batteries
Was in this business for many years and it's not for the faint of heart. Have to be a good listener and can hear some horrible stories.Also need to know when to talk to close the deal. Very rewarding occupation and the opportunity to make many many new friends
Interesting. I always wondered how this process is done.
Another one for your Top 10!
Thanks!
When you get a chance, you should tour historic Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond VA and check it out.
I will!
Thanks for your pre planning video. I went to spring grove cemetery to get some prices. The man that I talk to roger was great. He didn't try to over sale any products he knew his steel gauges. We can sit it up on a payment plan locked in. Thanks for the info. Thanks again Kari ml
L love you you are so good at what you do you are really good love what you do all the best xx
Such a mischievous smile around 50 seconds lol. Thankyou for sharing with us.
Thanks Kari, interesting.
We purchased our monument from the cemetery where we will be buried. 🙂
One of the most spectacular monuments I have seen was here in Springfield Mo. A monument made out of cast iron or bronze of a miniature doll house 2 foot tall to his daughter, who died as a child about 1880.
Oh wow
Beautiful work. Thank you for the upload
You're beautiful Kari!!
Thank you!
My uncle has a beautiful glossy black stone, with trees and a deer. It is now forever a piece of art in our family. He died before I was born.
Thank you for sharing about him!
Snyder...is beautiful
Yes!
I'm thinking of starting back up in the funeral industry because you have sparked it back up for me! I still work at a funeral home but I'm a receptionist which isn't all that exciting but the excitement kicks in when get to clam a grieving family or assist a family, it reminds of my days as a funeral director.
Kari Northey: My favorite part was getting to work with people who had the same morbid interests as me which was in the funeral industry and of course seeing the impact I could have on a family in their hours of need.
I really like how you explain everything, very clear. I am waiting for the stone of a family lot I bought. This documentary has been very useful. Thank you.
Absolutely Beautiful!
I’ve wondered why the engravings are not deeper? We have a lot of acid rain here that erodes the monuments. Great video- fascinating
I will have to ask
This show is the best one of its kind. Kari the Mortician was very thorough on the subject of monument making. I am surprised that computer technology (that I relish) plays a role in the creation of monument design with graphic arts. I wish that such a business exist in New York.
Great video Kari....I worked in that industry for 26 yrs....a physically demanding job but was so rewarding in knowing the families I helped over the years....back then was marble or grey or black granite.....today so many wonderful options for families....thanks again...brought back great memories for me remembering my work in the monument business.....
we built a bench out of wood for my brother in law and his head stone looks like wood it's awesome he was a wood worker so it suited him. Also my grandfather was a owner of one of the train company's in Kentucky his head stone is a train cost a lot of money but he was worth every cents we paid it took them a month to 2 months to make it
Which cemetery, Carrie? I have family in that area.
Thank you so much for Video, was very interesting.
lovely green eyes
aww thanks
So informative never realized how much time and how many different variations of headstone options we have. And being a veteran I like the match option. Thanks Kari for the time and effort you take for us.
What a great field trip Kari!!
WOW! How amazing is that 🤩! Had no idea how that happened. We live near two headstone places that makes them but, I don't think 🤔 they explained things when Mom and Dad was looking at the granite monuments. However, the cemetery they will be at one day hopefully not for another twenty years.😁 only let you have flat bronze headstone.
Oh wow!
i am so glad i happened upon your site. the info you give is so valuable to us. that you take the time to do these videos shows what a fine person you are. and please do not be offended when i tell you you are cute as a button. no, i am not weird, just have good taste. ty again for all your hard work doing these videos
A stone, standing, saying to eternity, "This place is Sacred". A stone, standing, bearing a name, saying, "This place is Sacred to me.", A stone, standing, carved and embossed. with writing that tells a story, saying "This place is Sacred to many." Stones, standing, row on row, rank and file, each with a name, rank and date, saying "We were an Army" and at their head, stones towering saying, "And I am their leader, here in this Sacred place." Stones laid, close to the ground, all in a row, neat and tidy, so the mower can go over them, keeping everything orderly and conformed, saying, "We are the many, the common and the ordinary and this is where we lay forever, making this Sacred Space.
Very nice
Thank you so much for the info. I remember growing up and going to the cemeteries Memorial Day weekend. Where my grandparents are buried here in Michigan, it is a Danish Cemetery and they have pictures on their headstones. Unfortunately, about 20+ years ago, the cemetery was vandalized and many of these headstones were destroyed. So sad.
I drove 18 wheeler ,Flatbed and used to transport these Huge blocks of granite out of a quarry in Faith North Carolina back in the mid 1990's ,they told me that the granite was used to make everything from kitchen sink counter tops to Headstones
My epitaph is going to read “Chillin’ with Jesus”!
AMEN!
I'll drink to that!
Are you sure???
It’s amazing what they can do with monuments .... I find cemetery’s so amazing and peaceful ....
So much history
Ps I got my degree in social work from MSU in east Lansing
I work with incoming families as they enter hospice , it basically is one of the jack of all trades sometimes I work to prep for funeral talks, they want to know what’s coming and don’t at the same time ... as hospice is “heavens waiting room” so your videos help inform me a lot as at times I am asked questions that only funeral directors know and I do keep in touch w some locally , and have information (most families are in that interim phase where they are adjusting to the idea of knowing your loved ones days are numbered so they come and talk with me I facilitate everything between the time they come in and time they exit this world and the body has to be turned over where your job then comes into play
I started loving the line of hospice when I worked at sparrow hospice in Lansing and it’s stuck w me in my travels .... it’s emotionally draining at times as I’m sure your job is as well much more so .... but I’m glad I happened upon your page and your links I’m sure will help many families as they dip their toes into the unknowns to come
For my grandma and grandpa's grave we have a oak leaf on the headstone
Very nice
I really enjoyed this tour. I ordered my Mother’s headstone the end of last September and didn’t understand why it was taking so long to be delivered. Took over two months. The local cemetery orders them from a monument company in Georgia. So this was something else I learned that sometimes they travel long distances to get to your loved one.
Omg Kari, this is such great quality. Thanks xx
Very interesting. I'd LOVE to do what that laser/ painter gal does. I use to work with cancer patients and teach them artwork. Of course for the patients that knew they weren't going to live long, that piece of artwork for their loved ones was priceless. It is EXTREMELY REWARDING and very humbling to be a small part of that aspect of their lives. Thank you for posting this.
Soft on the music
Thank you
I've never seen a headstone with colors added until now. Didn't know it was possible.
Seems anything is possible!
That cemetery that the lady mentioned sounds like Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond Virginia and I suggest that you pay a visit. It's very interesting.
I just had a headstone made for my brother. It should be at his grave this or next month. It was something that is very important to me. I have 5 living siblings that it wasn't as important to, but I couldn't stand the thought of my brother in an unmarked grave. I'm sure they were thinking of doing it at a later time, but I couldn't wait for a year or 2. My brother is very important to me. I just wish he had remembered that before he died.
that will be wonderful to have his grave marked
I just learn alot from looking and. listening to this video
Come to Elberton Ga … we will show you how to really do this!
:)
I have been researching how to clean to stones and you mentioned using bleach, however everything that I have read about cleaning them says not to use bleach to clean any of the stones, regardless of the material that it's made from. Also NO pressure washing ever. Now I'm confused..lol
Thanks for blasting the music after talking. I'm sure everyone appreciate how loud it is.
No problem 👍
Not to sound morbid, I ran a very nice boutique. Two women came in looking a dress for their Aunt who had passed for burial. They said she never wore a dress. I said, “Well, don’t bury her in one. A nice pair of pants and a top would be perfect for her.” One of my employees had to take them down the street to JC Penneys for pants as we didn’t have a nice pair for the top we picked. When my employee returned she said, “That was not fun”. I told her, “Think about this, that lady is resting forever in an outfit we selected. I think that’s very comforting that we helped them.”
What a lovely gesture to help those ladies!!
Ann S, we buried my dad in shorts and a polo shirt since that's what wore all the time. Mom said he'd probably haunt us if we put him in a suit. 😉
100% I actually put it in Writing that if I do die before my Mom she is not allowed to dress me
Her style is NOT Mine!
I think I might 3d print a headstone for my grandmother's unmarked grave.
That would be cool!
I would love to do this for a living! I sculpt in my free time ( mostly digitally), and would truly enjoy creating monuments for people, and history! Any advice on how to enter this traid?
Check with some local companies and see if they have a position at all
I THANK YOU.
I NEED ONE OF MY MOMMY.
:)
Hi Kari, I'm a 33 year old looking to go back to school (BA in poli sci/econ 2009) for mortuary science, and spending some time learning all I can about funeral directing, embalming, and the business in general. Your videos have been so fantastic and helpful to get a real feel for the job and the realities of the industry! There is just so little in the way of video resources that I can listen to or watch while working my 9-5. It seems like with each one of your videos, I am more and more convinced that this is a calling for me that I'd like to pursue. I also think you offer information in a pretty neutral matter-of-fact way, which isn't how I've often interacted with death professionals in the media. I love Caitlin Doughty and the Order of the Good Death, but I also feel strongly that families who want a traditional embalming and burial need to be served as well. Thank you so much!!!
We hope you had time to enjoy a Founders Beer Taproom in the heart of Downtown Grand Rapids.
I live near GR so I can always visit there which is awesome :)
I was a stone fabricator for a few years and this was very interesting to see. I made counter tops, sinks and back splashes. Maybe I could do this job with my knowledge... hmm.
Very interesting Kari. I've always wondered how they made headstones, especially such ornate ones. And, as you, I have quite a great fascination of cemeteries. Particularly, OLD cemeteries. I love old mausoleums also. Back in UP North Wisconsin, there is a crypt, in the hillside, alongside a road. I'd have to ask my mom where it is. I also love the old style, horse-drawn, hearse. I'm an old soul. Maybe this explains my interest in Edgar Allan Poe. Thank you again, and always good seeing you. Happy Halloween! Lol!
Kari Northey Oh, I can't wait!
Kari Northey In your upcoming Mausoleum video, could you include Crypts?
Kari Northey Kari, I should do videos of the various Cemeteries and Mausoleums here in Colorado. At Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, there is 'The Tower of Memories' Mausoleum from the early 1900's. Dog, The Bounty Hunter's daughter is entombed there. The Mausoleum is very grand, and is so big that where they located it within the Cemetery grounds, you are in awe! There are also interesting Cemeteries from the 1800's, and many of the graves are sunken in now.
Kari Northey OK Kari, I did a couple videos at Crown Hill Cemetery and Mortuary, including "The Tower of Memories" Mausoleum. I'll have to redo it tomorrow or Sunday, because I (not knowing) had recorded in VGA low quality.
Kari Northey They are posted, just wish I did a better job. I'll go back.
What a beautiful woman!!?
My marker is already on my plot at the cemetery. Only thing that will need to be added is my date of death.
That’s very comforting. My husband and myself check out ours when we’re in our home town. And coincidentally, the stone next to ours belongs to a man who owned a roller rink where my husband used to go to as a teenager!
That's what I am going to do. Is the cost for having the date of death engraved included in the price of the headstone?
That is why I like cemeteries better than memorial parks -all the tombstones.
You make death do dignified and respectful
Amazing info.
I clean my 2 dogs granite headstones with a cotton ball dipped in vinegar and then rinse with a lot of water. Dry them off with a towel and use a granite cleaner to give them a showroom shine. The cemetery that they are buried in is in the country so they use well water to irrigate the grass and the water is extremely mineralized with calcium and lime. It is very difficult to get the minerals off. I go every weekend during the summer to keep their headstones looking shiny and new.
I find your videos very informative.
We can no longer have above ground marker. I love to read the many that have been there for decades.
this is so cool
OK Kari: here I am again. Back in the day, 2000 to 2003, I used to haul an acid based product into Mexico from Canada. It couldn't be produced here due to the EPA. I had massive sheets of granite to accompany this into Mexico. I was informed that they would put this into a chamber with the granite slabs and place bronze plates onto the granite. When they would expose this to air, the acid would vaporize and weld the bronze to the granite. Have you heard of this procedure? Can't use it in the states, but we could backhaul the finished product out of Mexico.
KARI this is Tom spell saying hi to you and I am going to be one hundred percent honest with you I wish that I have a the most beautiful mom like you you are so special in my heart
In the process of getting my great uncle’s military stone although stone is free. The cemetery said it’s $800+ for the installation.
Sounds like a larger corporate cemetery probably. they have to put in the foundation and such for the marker
I wonder how they do the big 3d statues. There is a large 3d angel statue on a family plot marker in a cemetery near Rosewood, Ohio. It would be so interesting to see the process for making those. This is so interesting to see. It is so cool to see how the etching is done.
How is a name or death date added when it's already at the cemetery? Is there a machine that's brought out to where it's standing?? Thank you ahead of time Kari, I appreciate it.
I always wondered that too
It's sometimes done in situ or take to the stonemason depending on what gas to be done
A small manual sandblaster is taken to the cemetery they cover the rest of the stone with thick stencil to protect it and cut the final days in and blast it on the spot. I work making them that's how i know.
@@An1ma7_D1 Thank you. Like other people I wondered about how it was done. It must be difficult to write on an upright stone and scary in case you make a mistake. Blessings and peace
A manual sand blaster is brought in and the death date is laid out on the Monument with a rubber stencil. Sandblasted into the Monument and painted with litho paint. I do this for a living. If any of you ever find yourselves looking for my services in Middle Tennessee or North Alabama feel free to find me at Leoma Monument Works. Thanks and God bless!
Now that seems like a hard detailing job
Great video!
Also sorry didn't want to add this to my other comment but my paternal grandfather died in 1998 and In Kentucky you didn't have to have a vault I noticed my grandpa's headstone started to sink after a few years after some flooding we took a trip to Kentucky and we did all the work added some dirt and concrete he was laid to rest on our family homestead where all of my family is buried it cost a lot to fix up the homestead to be able to make it look tasteful
Respect
Would love to see a video showing graveside service set up from grave digging all the way through the actual burial.
Thanks for your videos you look beautiful
Thanks for sharing. What paint is used when painting the laser etching?
NOt sure I can check
I can see why they are so expensive. So much work goes into making them.
Thanks; I know for bronze memorials they just screw in the date of death plate....just wonder about granite and other type memorials.
That was really interesting and cool Kari. Do you have any idea if there's a monument company out there someplace who makes the old style headstones? I've looked and haven't been able to find anyone as of yet.
Also, I have been watching a dozen or more channels who are in the business of cleaning headstones a d what most of them use is a spray bottle of a cleaner called D2. First, they wet it with water, then use a soft wood stick and scrape off the algae and then spray it with the D2, and then brush it with a soft brush, then let it sit for anywhere from 15-30 minutes, then rinse it with water and then repeat usually. And yes, they use an epoxy to connect the broken pieces of stones, and then if needed, use wooden framework to support it while the epoxy cures. Of course some of the stones are too far gone and in too many pieces if they're incredibly old, so in those cases they try to connect the pieces, make a 'permanent' frame to leave on the edges of the stone and reset it into a base for further protection. I have an ancestor that has such a stone, that I recently found out about and plan on visiting his gravesite this coming Fall. He was buried in 1877, so you can imagine the task I have in front of me. I plan on putting his story as well as how I found out about him and the genealogy I've discovered because of him, into a video on my channel. Which will probably be late winter or early Spring when I complete the restoration on his stone. Take care, I always enjoy your videos. And really enjoyed this one, that Woman Artist is perfect in that job...she really is a true Artist!
Thank you
There is a guy on UA-cam that clears headstone and he can tell you what he uses and he said don’t use bleach
Yes there are a few people who do such great work cleaning stones!
I am also surprised that the monument company didn't require you to wear safety glasses, the employees as well.
:)
Love your vids especially as a future deathling.! In my younger years I worked in a monument shop and developed the skill from old school craftsmen. The process of removing polish is called frosting,,as in frosted glass. The tiny steel media is called steel shot. I heard you use the term “perpetual care” for cemeteries. This’s one phrase that is misunderstood. Most people assume someone will do maintenance etc on their family grave like mowing grass 125 yrs from now. Varies a bit from state to state but most of the time it funds an insurance type policy to insure the cemetery will never be abandoned or sold off out of existence. Who keeps the records? Will fallen trees be removed? Will roads and driveways be maintained for access? Fencing can deteriorate and need replaced. Perpetual care is usually monitored and regulated by state insurance dept, attorney generals or Secretary of State to insure that monies are set in escrow accounts. They are subject to audits every so often. This does not preclude normal maintenance such as annual spring cleanings. Families should not be afraid to do their own maintenance as allowed. I’m not sure everything is as stated but ask aa cemetery expert. An issue came up recently last year when heavy rains caused super grass and weeds and mowing was interrupted since you don’t mow in wet grass. When finally mowed grass trimmings were blown onto stones. Perpetual care folks demanded that every grave should be swept off. 16000 graves / 3 workers.it didn’t happen. Finally some service groups put out the fire. Interesting world. Regards.💐
I would love to work there! Those stones with the paint are beautiful but I would never waste my money since they fade like they do. I'd want them to be long lasting or what's the point? If your great grandparents try to find their family one day in the cemetery, they sure won't get to see it.
True but the color is the icing on the cake.
I hope you can answer this question. Did you ask if a granite marker that is already placed, can be reused? For example can the the writing be sanded down and reused?
Have you ever been to the NYC cemeteries that have headstones that are ..well .monumental in size and scale