Every day more people are enticed by slick websites with lots of images and the perceived convenience of purchasing a memorial less expensively through an on-line vendor that has a "Shopping Cart" button. In almost every case, they would have received superior work and at a lower price by purchasing from a local, reputable monument builder. Most of these websites show images of standard "off-the-rack" memorial designs available anywhere.

There are; however, many respected monument builders that have websites these days simply to showcase examples of work that their companies have actually designed and carved. That is the sole purpose of our site as well. The majority of our work represents a unique collaboration between us and our customer. We offer a highly specialized form of memorial art, not just grave markers. Hence, you will never find a "Shopping Cart" button on our site and we would strongly advise you to avoid any memorial business that has one on their site.

We, like other honest professionals in the monument industry, realize that there is a certain amount of interaction which must take place between the customer and the memorial craftsman to assure good results. This may not be the quickest and easiest way to sell memorials, but we are most concerned with producing high-quality, personlized memorials for satisfied customers.

Consumer Alert!

If there has been a recent death in your family, there are companies that may contact you wanting to sell you a monument. Don't let them pressure you into making a decision before you are ready. A memorial purchase should not be made immediately after the passing of a loved one. A monument is the one visual and lasting tribute that you can give to your loved one. You should take your time with this selection and buy only when you feel ready.

You should know that you are not obligated to purchase a monument from any funeral home or cemetery. In fact, there is a strong argument that this decision should not be rushed into. Remember that, by law, this purchase cannot be forced upon you while funeral arrangements are being made. Memorialization is completely separate from arranging a funeral.

Unfortunately, there are those that will telephone you at home shortly after your loss, and try to set up an appointment for a salesman to come into your home. Remember that the best time to purchase a memorial is when you are ready, not when some salesperson tries to pressure you into buying.

Planning Ahead

Today, more and more people are choosing to select their monument and cemetery lot in advance of need...Why wait until there is only part of the family left to make the decision? There is wisdom in pre-planning for the future. It relieves an emotional and financial burden from your loved ones.By planning ahead, you can select the style, size and color of granite that you prefer. You can select the options that are important to you and design a monument that reflects who you are, rather than have your family confused over what you would have wanted.

Advantages of pre-planning:

- It relieves the emotional burden from your loved ones.

- Lower cost today as compared with future prices.

- You can select the style, size and color of granite that you prefer.

- Peace of mind.

- It is an opportunity to make your personal statement for history.

Why Buy?

Man is an instinctive monument builder. Since the beginning of human history, men have always built monuments for one basic reason...they want to remind present and future generations of the accomplishments of generations past.

When the time comes to commemorate the life of someone very special, or perhaps to plan ahead for yourself, many factors should be considered. You will be purchasing something that, quite literally, will last forever. The monument you create may very well seve as a souce of historical reference for future generations. It is a purchase that should be made unhurriedly, with great care and consideration. Don't let yourself be pressured into making this decision until you are ready.

We understand that your memorial should signify more than "just a grave location". It should also help reflect a story that must be told...Monuments are built because someone lived, not because someone died. Their purpose is to inspire reverence, faith and hope. The cemetery memorial should be a source of consolation to the bereaved and a constant inspiration to all who visit the cemetery. When the memorial is properly inscribed with the appropriate symbols and thoughtful epitaphs, it will convey a meaningful story and compel us to pause and read.

Fred Cheek Monuments has an 80-year track record of customer satisfaction and standing behind our work. We will never call you to set up an appointment. When you feel comfortable and are ready to select a memorial, visit us and see the many different colors, types and styles that we offer. We will help you create a tribute of respect and honor. If you are far away from the Fort Worth area, we will help you locate a reputable monument company in your area.

Buyer's Guide