There are many different kinds of memorials, from naming bridges, highways, rivers, buildings, erecting statuary and even, planting trees to commemorate a memory of someone, some event or special occasion. These are symbols that we easily recognize and can usually figure out the meaning of what they represent. Cemetery Memorials are the most common memorials in our society, because they affect every family sooner or later. These memorials are usually made of marble, granite or bronze, or a combination granite and bronze. In bad economic times, maybe, only a field stone is placed to mark a grave, leaving no record of who was placed there. Sometimes, a monument is erected with only the names and dates, to just mark the grave. We call these tomb stones. Of the different materials that can be used for a memorial, granite seems to be the most durable and easiest to keep clean. Remember, a memorial is erected because someone lived, not because, someone died. Using symbolic carvings, it is easy to tell a beautiful story of the life and meanings of a precious loved one. Then, it is a memorial, not just a tomb stone. Symbolic carvings, permanently engraved in a granite memorial, will amaze archeologist thousands of years from now. A qualified memorial counselor can assist and explain the meanings of the memorial symbols, so that a meaningful and loving story can be told to represent the life of your loved one, that, all who passes by will know and feel the way that you feel. A memorial represents life, not death.