I am an admirer of the gravestones in the New England area from the
late seventeenth century -- the lettering style, the type of stone
used, the graphic elements such as the winged skulls, the skeletons,
hourglasses, etc. I would like my own gravestone to look like these.
Are there stone masons who can replicate this style, and how much
would it cost me? Assume the text would include name, birth and
deathdates, an image something like the one at
http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~lcook/grave2.gif, and an epitaph of
about 20 words.

Dear stupidsexyflanders (May I call you that?)

What an undertaking this question was!  The first thing I found ,
while researching this topic was that there are at least double the
number  of  pet memorial sites, than those intended for humans. The
second thing I found was, there are no prices to be found that are
cast in stone. To arrive at your price, you will have to contact the
companies of your choice. The price will depend on your design,length
and size of the wording, stone and  material choices, size, and
shipping. Most of the sites I found stated they are willing to ship.
(You did not state where you are located)  Since it appears that you
are not in immediate need of this product, that is fortunate!

Starting at $99(USD), this site offers simple memorial stones with
graphics.
Located at  20316 Cedar Court, Pierre, SD 57501, 605-224-8419, Fax:
1-605-224-8419
http://www.americanstoneengraving.com/memorial.html

This site offers custom markers starting at $195(USD). They carve and
use “photo etching” procedures.
http://www.cemeterysales.com/gravemarkers.phtml

JB Newall, found at this site, has custom designed markers. You will
need to fill out a quote sheet and send them your design.
http://www.jbnewall.com/

Cangelosi Monuments, 683 Dickens Avenue, Franklin Square, New York
11010
Phone (516) 489-9096 fax (516) 485-4008 
http://www.monumentdesign.com/
On their design services page, it is stated “We are also skilled
artists and can render any design by hand. “
http://www.monumentdesign.com/Pages/services.html


Cochran’s of Barre, Vermont also advertises custom memorials:
http://www.cochrans-monuments.com/

Bluehill Granites: Custom  granite markers 
http://www.granitemonument.com/
Shipped to US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland  and
Germany.
http://www.granitemonument.com/products.html

This site does offer custom designed tombstones. See the second link
for information about custom designs.
http://www.nvo.com/finalplans/finalplansgravemarkers1/
This is the informational page about custom designs. It appears you
must send them your sketch and they decide if it is possible to
implement. No prices on the site.
http://www.nvo.com/finalplans/designformselection/
For a quote on this site, you’ll need to fill out this on-line form:
http://www.nvo.com/finalplans/requestapricequote/


I found this lovely memorial bench…not what you asked for, but it is
here for your viewing.
http://www.crematoryurns.com/benches3.html

About designing and choosing a memorial, from the UK.
http://www.namm.org.uk/choosing.htm

Finally, in the UK, custom, privately commissioned 
Each has an e-mail contact.

A UK site for custom markers:
http://www.crownmemorials.co.uk/crown-memorials-index.html

A long shot, but lovely work!
http://www.ajbs-stonecarving.co.uk/archi1.html

I hope this meets your needs. If not, please request an Answer
Clarification before rating.

Regards,
crabcakes

Search strategy
custom + grave marker
stonemasons + grave marker
stonemasons + memorials

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 08 Nov 2002 19:16 PST

Hello stupidsexyflanders , Are these the type of grave markers you are
interested in?

The first one very much resembles the sketch your question links to:
http://med-pharm53.bu.edu/pages/cemeteries/pain.html

http://med-pharm53.bu.edu/pages/cemeteries/cemeteries-cambs.html

http://med-pharm53.bu.edu/pages/cemeteries/cemeteries-watertown.html

http://med-pharm53.bu.edu/pages/cemeteries/cemeteries-island.html

As you can see, the style, size and design are all varied. I  think
your best course of action for getting a price would be to contact
some of the sites I provided peviously with all of your requirements.
Most of the sites I provided have an online form you can fill out and
send to them online. You could even send them a link to this question
for reference, as it has your drawing, and links to photos from New
England Cemetaries. This would be the most efficient way, as you can
describe all your particulars directly to the business, and they can
contact you with any questions or concerns they may have. The shipping
will need to be considered (these markers appear extremely heavy) and
the business will need your address to calculate costs.

Also, please contact Google Answers at this address 
      answers-support@google.com. 

so that they can assist you, or fix whatever glitch you were having as
logging in as stupidsexyflanders-ga

Good Luck in your endeavor. 
~crabcakes

My first time using this service, in general pleased. Would prefer a
more focused answer, though, actually. This person came up with "too
much of a good thing." Again, though, good answer and I'll be back.

Hi, I am stupidsexyflanders, the person who submitted this question.
(Google Answers isn't letting me log in for somereason, so I
registered again.) And you may indeed call me that, although I may
come to prefer chadsexington over time.

I appreciate the punning, but I'm wondering if someone can dig a
little deeper on the pricing. I think I was fairly specific in my
question. If the gravestone is to replicate those of the period I
mentioned, then that should answer the design, size-of-stone, and
material issue (slate). Can you at least unearth a range?

OK, point taken, thanks very much for your help. Your answers were
good and complete. I have to figure out how to rate you...