Bronze, a semi-precious metal, made up of 87% Copper, 10% Tin, and trace elements of lead, zinc and other elements that provide a permanent way to customize and memorialize a life lived.
Bronze memorials are still cast individually, based on the design by each family. Once completed, each memorial is finished with a background color and has a protective coating. The entire process once a design is approved takes from 8-12 weeks. There are about 27 individuals that touch each bronze memorial until its completion.
This protective coating is guaranteed to last for about 10 years, but depending on weather and the environment could last even longer with proper care and maintenance.
Although many families love the newly finished memorial, the protective coasting is not permanent. It is not meant to be so. For unlike other metals, the color of bronze most highly prized is not its original color, but the rich, natural patina than only weathering and age can bring.
The natural finish, or patina, of course is actually a protective coating formed by nature when the manufacturer’s coating weathers away. It is not a film of color on the bronze, but actually part of the bronze itself.
It is said that bronze was chosen not only because of the properties already listed, but that as we lose a loved one and begin our path to healing, so does the bronze memorial begin to heal from the manufacturing process. As time goes, the patina is a sign of healing.
This allows for photos to be used and permanently cast in bronze.
This allows for unlimited wording, emblems, custom background colors, personal signatures and a color cameo (photo).
This allows for limited wording and emblems.
The cost of your memorial will be based on the size and style you choose. We use our state-of-the-art designer to create your memorial with you and provide you with a total cost for your memorial that will last for generations to come. If you would like more information on this or assistance designing your memorial, please click the link.
Some families that like to retain the original finish as long as possible will decide to have their memorial refinished every 15-20 years. This process is simple to complete. We take the bronze memorial up off of the granite base and ship it back to the original manufacturer to sandblast, clean and reapply the original background color, finish, and protective coating. The price of this process usually depends on the size of the memorial and takes 8-12 weeks to complete. If you would like to request for your memorial or the memorial of a loved one to be refinished, please click on bronze refinishing above and we will provide you with the cost and timeline.
We have many special programs available to change or upgrade your memorial. Since this is a cast bronze memorial, you cannot simply add lettering or make changes to it. We have a program that allows you to upgrade from one design to the next or remake and existing memorial to correct a date or name. If you would like more information on this, please click upgrading/changing existing bronze above.
The history of bronze is fascinating. With the discovery of this metal alloy, whole new horizons were opened to man.