Monument Terminology

Base

The lower part or parts of a multi-sectioned monument. There may be first, second, and third bases.

Bas-relief

Any sculpting that projects minimally from the background. The word “bas” is from the Latin, meaning “base” or “low.”

Bevel marker

A rectangular angled or sloped-top marker; bevels, also called pillow or hickey markers, are very simple memorials. The most common style has a straight angled top surface. The back is generally two inches taller than the front.

Blued

A term that describes the deepened color given to a monument by an abrasive used in sandblasting.

Bottom-jointed

The bottom of the tablet, or main part of the monument, is leveled and squared for the final mounting on the base.

Bronze Marker

A flat, metallic plaque or memorial made from bronze, a special alloy of copper and tin, used to honor and remember people or events.

Buffing

Applying the final touch to the stone’s polished surface.

Canopy

Literally means “to overhang” and refers to any roof-like outcropping. A canopy is usually supported by columns.

Cap

The uppermost portion of a monument set on top of a tablet. There may be more than one piece to a cap.

Capital

From the Latin, meaning “head;” the top part of any pilaster or column.

Carving

The process of shaping stone to the desired effect; includes sandblast, sculptural, shape, line, and hand carving.

Chamfer

A beveled or tapered edge is made by cutting away of the square edge of a monument.

Check

A cut or recess in the stone, normally on the top or ends; a rabbet-shaped cutting.

Columbarium

A vault with niches for urns containing the ashes of the deceased.

Column

Any pillar consisting of a base, a cylindrical shaft, and a capital or crown. There are five types of columns, sometimes referred to as the five orders of architecture. The five orders differ in the proportions of their columns and in the richness of their ornamentation. These are called the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite orders. The Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders are the most important since they are in more general use.

• Doric: the simplest and oldest of all the column designs. Heavy, fluted columns with no base and plain, saucer-like capitals.
• Ionic: topped by two opposing volutes or scroll-like ornaments on the capital or crown. Ionic flutes differ from Doric flutes because they are beveled.
• Corinthian: the most ornate. A slender, fluted column with a highly ornate bell-shaped capital decorated with acanthus leaves.

Concave

A curve matching the inner surface of a sphere.

Convex

The opposite of concave; any cut matching the outer surface of a sphere.

Coping

Any low stone arrangement outlining the limits of a burial lot; also called curbing.

Cremation or cinerary urn

A delicate urn used to hold the remains of a cremated body. Cinerary is from the Latin, meaning “dust” or “ashes.” The place where such urns are kept is called a cinerarium.

Crypt

An enclosure for a casket in the mausoleum or an area entirely or partly underground.

Cubical content

Total number of cubic feet and inches in a piece of stone, cut or uncut.

Curbing

The placing of a stone curb or low enclosure around a cemetery burial lot.

Design

A sketch or picture of an artist’s concept of a specially designed monument.

Die

The primary body portion of any monument whether large or small. This term is being replaced by the words “tablet” or “screen.”

Dowel

A pin designed to hold two joints of stone together. They are usually made of a strong noncorrosive metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum.

Drainage holes

Openings drilled in any section of a monument or vase where it is necessary to carry off water.

Drop

The amount of space between the highest and lowest point of the bevel or other parts of a monument.

End members

Horizontal series of moldings on the ends of a monument.

Entablature

The cornice and roof section that rests on the caps of all columns; is from the Latin word meaning “table.”

Epitaph

Any inscription or text on a monument in the memory of the person or persons interred there. From the Latin meaning “funeral oration,” an epitaph should state something about the deceased.

Epoxy

A thermosetting resin used as a strong adhesive to permanently attach two items together.

Etching

Most commonly referred to when drawing portraits or scenes on memorials. Also known as diamond etching, laser etching, or color etching when various colors are added to the scene or portrait.

Face

The front of any monument or the forward portion of a slant-face marker.

Flat carving

Any line carving on the surface of a stone.

Flat marker

Also known as grass, flush, or lawn-level markers; derive their name from the fact that they are normally installed into the ground with only the top face showing. They are the simplest form of granite memorial and are typically straight, without angled surfaces; a small, flat piece of stone or metal set with or approximately at the level of the ground.

Frost

To remove the polish and leave a matte finish; also called “dust” or “skin.”

Gable top

The roof-like top of any monument that is sometimes referred to as a “two-way top” or “rooftop.”

Gothic top

The top of a monument that rounds gracefully to a peak on the exact centerline. The Goths are said to have originated the pointed arch.

Gold leaf

A thin layer of gold applied to a memorial to enhance the lettering or accent a carving.

Grass marker

Also known as flat, flush, or lawn-level markers; derive their name from the fact that they are normally installed into the ground with only the top face showing. They are the simplest form of granite memorial and are typically straight, without angled surfaces; a small, flat piece of stone or metal set with or approximately at the level of the ground.

Grout

The discarded materials created while quarrying rock.

Head grain

Stone, like wood, is grained. The head grain in stone is the most desired for the finished face, like the end grain in wood.

High relief

The opposite of Bas-relief or low relief. In high relief, the projecting figures or carvings extend outward at least half as much as their circumference.

Joint

Any surface where one piece of stone has been dressed and cut to fit another. Normally used to designate the bottom of the main part of the monument.

Keystone

The important, wedge-shaped stone set at the apex of an arch to hold all other stones in place.

Ledger

A memorial stone laid prone and covering all or most of the grave.

Lithochrome

A liquid that can be sprayed onto panels or carvings or into letters to enhance the natural contrast or color. A variety of colors and shades are available.

Margin

The extreme outer portion of any stone piece given a contrasting finish for effect. Can be sawn, steeled, hammered, or polished.

Marker

A headstone, usually small, used to identify individuals.

Mausoleum

Any above-ground structure used for burials.

Memorial

Technically, a structure that reminds us of a specific event or person. Therefore, a monument serves as a memorial, but in daily use, monuments are called memorials.

Nosing

Used it two ways: On monuments, it refers to any cut or additional stone projecting out beyond the surface line. On slant markers, it can refer to either the top or front.

Obelisk

From the Greek, it means a pointed pillar. Any tall, four-sided spire that tapers to a pyramidal point.

Outline, frosted

Describes letters formed by lines sandblasted on a finished surface. The letters are frosted and outlined with a recessed line around the letter.

Oval top

Any monument or marker with the top arched as a segment of a circle.

Panel

A flat section of any monument set apart by raising, recessing, or framing usually used to contain a name or inscription.

Pedestal

From the Latin word meaning “foot;” the base of any urn, statue, etc.

Pillar

A column to support a structure or to serve as a monument; see “column.”

Pitching (rock pitching)

The cutting or chipping away of rough stone to a predetermined and marked line.

Plinth

From the Greek meaning “stone block.” A stone slab or block, usually square or rectangular, upon which a pedestal, column, tablet, screen, or statue is placed.

Polished

Term used to describe the high-gloss finish on a monument.

Raised band

A running, raised strip on a monument that often contains the name and dates.

Raised letters

A particular style of letter accomplished by removing the area around the letter and making it raised from the surface.

Relief

The projection of carved figures, floral decor, symbols, etc., from the flat surface of a monument.

Rough stock

Unfinished rock in the form which it is delivered from the quarry.

Rounds

Any stone edge rounded like the outside portion of a circle.

Rubbing

The process of tracing the lettering and design on the face of a monument by rubbing over paper.

Sandblast

In general terms, a machine that mixes abrasive and air pressure in a controlled manner. It’s the most common process used to carve and letter memorials.

Sarcophagus

Term for any hewn, massive coffin of stone or any large memorial with an area for a casket.

Screen carving

A very old practice of using a screen to sandblast deep, symmetrical pits into a surface; also called lace carving.

Screen panel carving

Forming a defined panel by setting it apart with a screened background.

Scroll

An ornamental design that resembles a partially rolled scroll; also a term used for the inscription plate on a bronze marker.

Sculpture

From the Latin word meaning “to carve;” shaping stone to any predetermined form.

Seam

Any slight, almost unseen crack in a stone’s surface.

Serpentine

Any surface or molding cut to resemble the S-like motion of a serpent.

Setting compound

Used to form the seal between the tablet and base or other joints of the monument that must be sealed to keep water out.

Setting cushions

Used as spacers between joints when setting; most commonly made of plastic.

Shell rock

Rock pitching by removing large pieces of stone and leaving a shell-like appearance; requires the skill of a stone cutter familiar with the grain of the stone.

Shoulder

Any projection that rises above the surface; corresponds to “check” or “rabbet.”

Skin carving

Any shallow carving on the skin or surface of a monument that is executed by removing the polish; has shallow depth.

Slant marker

Name for a marker with an extreme slant face and usually with a nosing at either the top or bottom, or both; a slant monument has a steeply angled face, but the back is perpendicular. The top of the slant is much thinner than the bottom. The two major subcategories are the traditional and western (full-face) styles. The traditional style has a front nosing and the western does not.

Steeled

The surface of any stone that is blasted with steel shot, resulting in a smooth, unpolished, and matte finish; also referred to as “dusting.”

Stencil

A sheet of rubber material affixed to the stone onto which the design has been transferred and then cut out to expose portions of the stone for sandblasting.

Taper

The gradual decrease in the thickness or width of a monument or marker. The taper is normally toward the top, although reverse taper is not unusual.

Turned work

Any circular-shaped memorial piece such as a column, vase, ball, etc.

Upright monument

Typically these consist of two main pieces. The upright portion (called a die or tablet) and the bottom portion (called a base). Flower vases are common and can be added on one or both ends.

Vault

A burial chamber usually found underground.

V-sunk letters

A sandblast process whereby letters are deeply cut, forming a “V” shape at the bottom of the letters.

Vertical type

General term for any taller, upright monument, as opposed to the lower, horizontal type.

Wash or drop-wash

A beveled surface making up the exposed portion of the upper edge of a monument base. This is designed to ensure water run-off.

Wings

Stones extending outward from the main body of a monument.