Why Choose Kline Memorials?
Kline Memorials, established in 1901, has well over 100 years of experience in the monument business. We are an independent, family-owned business that treats clients with dignity and respect. We use only the highest quality materials and employ only the highest skilled craftsmen and designers to assist you with your monument needs. The vast majority of our memorials are quarried and fabricated in the United States, and we are approved dealers of both Rock of Ages premium Memorials and Vermont Heirloom Quality Memorials. We have excellent relationships with granite quarries and bronze foundries throughout the United States and abroad. Due to the high volume of granite and bronze we purchase, we can offer the highest quality granite and bronze at competitive prices.
This is all new to me and I don’t know where to begin, where do I start?
The first step is to schedule an appointment or visit our office where our kind and experienced designers will walk you through it, step by step. If possible, bring the name of the cemetery, the location of the gravesite, and information about the Deceased. Most memorials include the name of the Deceased and date of birth and passing. Others also include symbols, pictures, and/or epitaphs. Our highly experienced designers will work closely with you and help you decide exactly what you would like to include on the monument. Once the design is determined, we will provide you with an exact drawing for your approval. Kline Memorials is involved in every step of the process and will patiently walk you through each stage of design, fabrication, and installation.
What is the difference between a marker, monument, memorial, and headstone?
They are all terms frequently used interchangeably to describe the commemorative stone placed on a gravesite. Markers are usually flush or low to the ground while the others are upright.
What do I need to know when purchasing a memorial?
It is helpful to know the name of the cemetery, the location of the gravesite, and whether you need a memorial for one or more individuals. This lets us help you choose the correct size and style. In addition, it is helpful to have the name of the deceased, date of birth, and date of passing. If you do not have this information, we can help you access it. Rest assured we will walk you through the process every step of the way.
How long does it take to create and install a memorial?
Depending on the memorial you select and upon approval of the design, it will take anywhere from 3-8 months to complete and install. Kline will work closely with you to accommodate your timing needs and will do our best to expedite the process, whenever possible. Because of our large inventory, we can occasionally carve and install a memorial in a short amount of time to accommodate special requests but It is important to keep the average timing in mind when deciding when to purchase a memorial for a loved one.
How do I know what type of memorial my cemetery allows?
Years of experience and excellent relationships with area cemeteries give us first-hand knowledge of the rules and regulations of most of the cemeteries in the VA, DC, and MD areas. We are kept up to date on any changes that occur in cemetery regulations.
My cemetery says that they do not allow outside vendors and I must buy from them. Is this true?
By law, if the memorial meets the cemetery criteria, cemeteries must allow outside vendors such as Kline Memorials. Serving your needs and desires is the most important goal and no cemetery should pressure you to purchase a stone from them. Some cemeteries do charge a fee for installation by outside vendors.
Why not order from the funeral home or cemetery that is already familiar to me and my family?
Kline Memorials specializes in creating monuments. This allows us to focus solely on creating a beautiful, personal, high-quality memorial at a reasonable price. Funeral homes and cemeteries are not fully specialized monument dealers, and their time is divided among many other responsibilities. They cannot provide the same level of experience, quality, value, or personalized service.
Do I have to schedule an appointment?
We highly recommend that you schedule an appointment. While we do not require you to do so, it will best allow you to have our undivided attention for the length of the appointment. We do warmly welcome walk-ins, but please understand that pre-scheduled appointments take priority.
How soon after someone dies should I buy a memorial?
This is a highly personal decision. There is no set time to purchase a monument though some religions dictate when a memorial must be placed. Kline Memorials is very knowledgeable about timing and will work closely with you to ensure that the monument is completed and installed on time. We will never rush or pressure you into purchasing a memorial before you are ready. Please keep in mind that some monuments take up to 8 months to fabricate and install so plan accordingly if you have a specific date in mind.
I prefer to purchase my memorial in person rather than online. Do you have a showroom?
Yes, Kline Memorials has one the largest outdoor monument displays in Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to visit our vast display of granite and bronze memorials.
Why not purchase a memorial online and have it shipped directly to the cemetery?
While some online monument dealers are legitimate and offer quality products, many do not. Their reputations are often unknown. In addition, you will be responsible for coordinating shipping, receiving, and installation with the cemetery. Online dealers are often unfamiliar with the cemetery rules and regulations and cannot install the memorial themselves. This subjects you to high fees from the cemetery. Most importantly if something goes wrong with the memorial you will have no recourse. Unfortunately, part of our business is correcting mistakes that online companies make and refuse to fix.
Do you match existing headstones?
Yes, we go through many steps to match existing bronze and granite memorials. We visit the cemetery, make a rubbing of the stone, measure its exact dimensions, and take a photograph of the existing memorial to duplicate it.
Are you able to make monuments in languages other than English?
Yes, Kline Memorials can make monuments in any language. Please see examples of our work here.
Who installs your bronze and granite memorials?
Kline Memorials is licensed and insured to install in all area cemeteries. To ensure that all work is completed according to specific cemetery regulations, we install the majority of our memorials. Very rarely, we will allow certain cemeteries to install smaller markers when appropriate.
I do not live in the VA, DC, MD area. May I still purchase from you?
Yes, because of our extensive relationships with Monument Dealers across the United States, clients who live outside of the DC, VA, and MD area can order from us. We have installed monuments in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to name a few. In addition, those who live outside of the VA, DC, or MD area but wish to purchase a memorial for a local cemetery, may order from us long distance and be assured their stone will be designed, fabricated, and installed to their liking. We provide photos of the finished and installed product for our long-distance clients.
What is a pre-need memorial, and do you provide pre-need monuments?
A pre-need memorial is purchased before the death of a loved one. Yes, Kline Memorials is very experienced in dealing with pre-need memorials and we follow the same process as those purchased after the death of a loved one.
Do you provide government-funded Memorials for Veterans?
Yes, we can assist in the process of ordering and installation of government-funded headstones, markers, and medallions. For more information on this process and to access the proper form, please click here (VA.Gov)