It can be so frustrating when you place a pot of flowers at the grave and then later see them eaten by the roaming deer! To help deter those pesky munchers, here are some plants that deer DON’T like along with a few other tricks to help keep them away. Here are some that are [...]
Education, supply issues, and new granite designs were the hot topics. Patten Monument Group sent a team to the Monument Builders of North America conference in Baltimore this January. As a member of MBNA, we are able to attend granite shows and educational sessions. It’s a fun way to connect with other monument builders around [...]
The Thompson mausoleum in Ludington Michigan is an 8 crypt walk-in mausoleum made entirely of Dakota Mahogany Granite. It features a custom stained glass window by TerHarr Studios of New York and Waukegan Bronze doors. The Thompson family has created an exquisite legacy for future generations to gather at for interment. They are comforted knowing [...]
Memorial day weekend is the busiest time in cemeteries across the USA. Grave decoration, plot cleanup, and paying respects to loved ones is a Memorial Day tradition. Most cemeteries have military ceremonies that are led by local veterans associations. A flag ceremony, 21 gun salute and the playing of taps signifies the greatest respect for [...]
When we grieve the loss of someone, we also grieve the loss of the rituals we shared. While we can’t be with them on the holiday, we can still interact with them symbolically and feel a connection. In American culture there is pressure to let go and move on after a loss but [...]
The holidays can be extra hard when someone you love has recently died. Choosing a headstone might seem like the last thing you want to do. Here are some ways that the task of ordering a headstone during the holidays can be made a little less stressful. Don’t shop on the internet. You should be [...]
This is a reality at cemeteries: People move away, they get busy, next of kin die, and before long, a grave site has had no visitor. Upkeep is generally the responsibility of loved ones, so when it’s neglected, the grass becomes overgrown and the stone starts to erode. Many people will feel bad they haven't [...]
Cultural Heritage - What is it? There was an interesting post on an artist community blog recently. It was about the effects of cultural heritage in our modern world. Not exactly something that comes to mind every day, right? What is it exactly? Culture heritage is defined as a connection to social values, tradition, beliefs [...]
We are excited to share the news that Patten Monument Company in Comstock Park has purchased Superior Monument Company in Muskegon, along with the Grand Haven location and the Swensen Memorials location in Traverse City. We are very happy for Dave and Nancy Sietsema, as they take more time to spend with grandchildren, travel, and [...]
Enrich your holiday season by honoring the people who have shaped your life. During a time and season that has come to be characterized by Black Friday deals and record breaking travel congestion, taking a little time to honor the people that shape our lives can help mend that part of us that is often [...]
