Alpha Omega Monuments

Resources

Memorial Planning Booklet

A complimentary guide prepared by Alpha Omega Monuments to help families navigate every step of the memorial selection process — with confidence and peace of mind.

Memphis-area cemetery at sunset with flowering trees and granite monuments

A Guide Written for Families

Selecting a memorial is one of the most meaningful decisions a family will make — and often one of the least familiar. The Alpha Omega Monuments Memorial Planning Booklet was created to walk families through the process clearly and honestly: the types of memorials available, the materials used, what cemetery regulations require, how inscriptions and artwork are handled, and what to expect from start to finish. Download your complimentary copy below.

What's Inside

  • Types of MemorialsUpright monuments, flat markers, slant markers, companion stones, benches, and bronze plaques — explained clearly so you can make an informed choice.
  • Granite, Marble & BronzeAn honest look at the materials used in memorial work, including how each weathers over time in the Mid-South climate.
  • Cemetery RegulationsWhat to ask, what to verify, and why it is the purchaser's responsibility to confirm requirements before placing an order.
  • Inscriptions & ArtworkGuidance on lettering, epitaphs, portrait etching, and custom imagery — including how to provide the best source material.
  • TimelinesRealistic expectations for how long the process takes, from initial consultation through installation.
  • Questions to AskThe questions every family should ask any monument dealer before committing to an order.

From the Booklet

What Every Family Should Know Before Selecting a Memorial

Alpha Omega Monuments was founded to give Mid-South families a better option — honest guidance, premium materials, and craftsmanship that stands behind every stone. The knowledge in this section — and in the full booklet — reflects the experience we have built serving families across West Tennessee, North Mississippi, and Eastern Arkansas. These are the topics that matter most, explained the way we explain them to every family who walks through our door.

01
Over 9 monument types available
at Alpha Omega Monuments

Choosing the Right Type of Memorial

Upright monuments, flat markers, slant markers, companion stones, benches, and bronze plaques

The first decision most families face is the type of memorial — and it is often more constrained than they expect. Many cemeteries in the Memphis area and across West Tennessee require flat markers in certain sections, while others permit full upright granite monuments. Before you fall in love with a design, confirm what the cemetery allows. Upright monuments offer the most surface area for personalization — names, dates, portraits, scripture, and custom imagery. Flat markers are lower-profile and required in many lawn-care sections. Slant markers are a dignified middle ground. Companion monuments honor two people within a single structure and are one of the most requested designs at Alpha Omega Monuments. Benches serve as both a memorial and a gathering place. Bronze plaques mounted on granite bases combine the warmth of cast metal with the permanence of stone. Each type carries its own sizing requirements, foundation needs, and installation considerations — all covered in detail in the full booklet.

02
55+ granite colors
available at our Memphis showroom

Granite: The Gold Standard for Outdoor Memorials

Material selection, quarry origin, color range, and long-term performance in the Mid-South climate

Granite is the most widely specified memorial material in the United States — and for good reason. It is among the hardest natural stones on earth, highly resistant to weathering, and available in more than 50 colors ranging from classic jet black and barre gray to deep ruby red, bahama blue, and warm tan brown. Polished granite holds laser-etched portraits and sandblasted lettering with exceptional clarity, and its surface resists biological staining and moisture penetration better than any alternative. In the humid climate of West Tennessee and the Mid-South, granite's performance advantage over softer stones like marble is significant. Alpha Omega Monuments offers one of the largest granite color selections in the region — more than 55 colors available for viewing in our Memphis showroom. When evaluating granite, ask about quarry origin. Stone from established quarries in India, Brazil, and domestic sources like Vermont and Georgia carries consistent mineral composition and predictable weathering. We are transparent about every stone we sell.

03
VA-standard bronze
available for veteran memorials

Bronze Memorials: Artistry Cast to Last Generations

Portrait bas-reliefs, raised lettering, military insignia, and companion plaques on granite bases

Bronze memorials offer a level of artistic richness that stone alone cannot achieve. Raised lettering, portrait bas-reliefs, decorative borders, military branch insignia, religious symbols, and custom emblems can all be cast in bronze with extraordinary detail and permanence. Bronze develops a natural patina over time — a warm, living quality that many families find deeply beautiful. It is the traditional material for veteran memorials and is widely used for mausoleum plaques, companion monuments, and any memorial where portrait work is the centerpiece. Alpha Omega Monuments works with established foundries to produce bronze castings that meet the standards of the Veterans Administration and the major national cemetery systems. Bronze casting requires eight to twelve weeks at the foundry — families planning a veteran's memorial or a complex portrait piece should account for this timeline. The full booklet covers bronze care, patina maintenance, and what to expect from the casting approval process.

04
Written proof required
before any engraving begins

Inscriptions, Epitaphs, and Portrait Etching

Lettering, scripture, custom imagery, and how to provide the best source material for portrait work

The words and images on a memorial are as permanent as the stone itself — and they deserve the same care as the material selection. Most memorials include the full name, birth and death dates, and an epitaph or scripture verse. Beyond these, families often add nicknames, military rank, organizational affiliations, and personal statements that capture something true about the person. A few principles worth holding: simpler is almost always more powerful. A single well-chosen line carries more weight than a paragraph. Proofread everything carefully — errors on a monument are permanent. Alpha Omega Monuments provides a written design proof of all inscriptions for family review and approval before any engraving begins, and we do not proceed without a signed approval. For portrait etching, the quality of the result depends directly on the quality of the source photograph. Provide the clearest, highest-resolution image available — ideally a well-lit frontal or three-quarter view with a plain background. We will show you examples of our portrait work and provide a digital rendering for your approval before any stone is touched.

05
6–12 weeks
typical timeline for standard granite monuments

Timelines: What to Realistically Expect

From initial consultation to installation — standard orders, custom work, and bronze casting

One of the most common sources of frustration in the memorial process is unrealistic timeline expectations — often set by dealers who overpromise to close a sale. Alpha Omega Monuments believes families deserve honest guidance from the first conversation. A standard granite monument with engraving typically takes six to twelve weeks from order placement to installation. Custom work — laser-etched portraits, complex sandblasted imagery, multi-panel designs — takes longer, often twelve to sixteen weeks. Bronze casting requires eight to twelve weeks at the foundry, in addition to design approval time. These timelines reflect the care required to produce work that will stand for generations. Be cautious of any dealer who promises unusually fast turnaround on complex orders. At Alpha Omega Monuments, we provide a realistic timeline at the outset of every project and keep families informed throughout the process. Pre-need orders — memorials selected before a death occurs — are held in our files indefinitely and can be updated at any time at no charge.

06
Trusted by families
across the Mid-South

Questions Every Family Should Ask Their Monument Dealer

The due-diligence checklist that separates trustworthy dealers from those who cut corners

Not all monument dealers operate to the same standard — and the differences matter enormously when the result will stand for a century. Before committing to any dealer, ask these questions: Where does your granite come from, and can you document its quarry origin? Can I see examples of your portrait and engraving work on completed monuments? Will you provide a written design proof for my review and approval before any stone is ordered or engraving begins? Are you familiar with the regulations of the specific cemetery where the monument will be installed? Who handles installation, and are they experienced with that cemetery's requirements? What is your warranty on materials and workmanship? What happens if there is an error in the engraving after installation? How do I reach you after the monument is placed if I have a concern? Alpha Omega Monuments answers every one of these questions clearly, in writing, before any order is placed. Our reputation is built on the quality of the work and the honesty of the process — and we stand behind both.

Rooted in the Mid-South
Serving families across West Tennessee, North Mississippi, and Eastern Arkansas with integrity and craftsmanship.
Written Approval on Every Order
No stone is ordered, no engraving begins, and no installation is scheduled without your signed design approval.
Honest Timelines, Always
We give every family a realistic timeline at the outset and keep you informed at every stage of the process.

Your Next Step

Ready to Begin?

When you are ready to start the conversation, we are here. A consultation with Alpha Omega Monuments is always unhurried, always honest, and always focused on what is right for your family.

Download Your Free Copy

Complete the short form below to receive immediate access to the Alpha Omega Monuments Memorial Planning Booklet. Your information will never be shared or sold.

Your information will never be shared or sold.

Ready to Talk?

If you have questions or would like to begin the conversation, we are here. A consultation with Alpha Omega Monuments is always unhurried, always honest, and always focused on what is right for your family.

Request a Consultation (901) 440-6643

Business Hours

Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: By Appointment