Did you know the Catholic Cemeteries Association offers our own line of Basilica brand memorials?

For over 175 years, we have been combining timeless craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to create a lasting tribute to your loved ones. Now, let us take you through the process of how we craft these headstones!

The creation of your custom memorial begins with a consultation with your Family Service Representative (FSR). During your appointment, your FSR will help you select the color of your headstone, discuss your inscription options, and share our library of special symbols, emblems, or etchings that will personalize your memorial.

Thanks to our innovative design program, you can visualize and adjust these options in real-time, ensuring that the final design perfectly aligns with your preferences.

Once you finalize your design, our skilled team of experts in the memorial department will turn your marker design into a computerized rendering. This technology captures the smallest details to ensure straight lines and balanced margins. Whether you desire a custom design or a replica of a decades-old headstone, our artists are equipped to meet your needs.

The next step involves transferring the rendering to a rubber template that is applied to your granite stone. Our team then carefully removes specific areas of the template, preparing the stone for the sandblasting process. This technique uses special chisels to achieve different effects, such as raised lettering, in order to create a lasting impact on your stone.

After sandblasting, the stone is cleaned to remove all dust. A coat of lithochrome paint is then applied to enhance the visibility of the inscriptions and designs against the natural grain of the stone.

Finally, the rubber template and paint are removed, and the granite will be given a final cleaning. The headstone is then prepared for installation, leaving you with a beautifully crafted memorial, one that will honor your loved one for generations to come!

For more information or to design a beautiful headstone, please contact a Family Service Representative at (216)-641-7575. You can also watch the video below to learn more.

Written By: Paige Muttillo | Marketing Manager | Catholic Cemeteries Association