Chariton River Monuments

10/30/2025

Happy Halloween!

Love the creativity! I am always reminding people that it is THEIR stone and I want the design to represent them or their loved one that we are memorializing. This stone is very unique and represents a man who loves Halloween, with an added “stone” on it for his nephew who was killed in a motorcycle accident. The nephew was cremated and the family has possession of his ashes, but his uncle wanted to make sure the family has a place to gather to remember his nephew, Chandler.

See comments for the backside of the stone!

Still one of my favorites…

10/30/2025

When selecting a headstone material, we believe your family deserves the peace of mind that comes with durability and beauty. Hot, humid summers and freezing winters can erode or stain certain materials faster than others. Granite holds up against the elements which ensures your memorial remains legible and dignified, no matter the weather or years that pass. Granite is the most trusted material in the monument industry because of its combination of strength and beauty.

Why don’t we use marble? Marble has a traditional and elegant look, often seen in older cemeteries. However, its softness makes it a poor fit for outdoor elements and long-term durability needs.

Marble headstones
-Less weather-resistant – Less durable and more prone to weathering, erosion, and staining over time, which can cause inscriptions to fade or details to be lost.
-Maintenance- Requires more frequent cleaning and sealing to preserve its beauty.
-Limited color options – Mostly white or gray
-Use- Best for locations where they will not be directly exposed to harsh weather, or where the family is committed to regular upkeep.

Granite headstones
-Durability: Harder, more resistant to scratching, chipping, and erosion from elements like acid rain and harsh weather.
-Maintenance: Requires minimal maintenance to maintain its appearance for generations. It also resists staining.
-Variety: Available in a wide range of colors. Laser etching can be used to create detailed and permanent designs, and sandblasting can create crisp, clean lines for names, dates, and other designs.
-Use: Ideal for outdoor settings due to its resilience against the elements.

10/22/2025

Choosing a monument is a meaningful part of honoring a life. Some families make these decisions in advance (pre-need), while others do so after a loved one has passed (at-need). There is no right or wrong time to choose a monument. What matters most is that it reflects the person’s life and brings comfort to those who remember them.

A pre-need monument is selected and designed in advance, often as part of overall pre-planning for final arrangements. This can be done by an individual who wants to ease the burden on loved ones, or by a couple or family preparing together.

Choosing a monument ahead of time allows for more thoughtful decisions, flexible budgeting, and personalization. It also ensures your wishes are clearly understood and followed. Many families find comfort in knowing everything is prepared, allowing loved ones to focus on remembrance rather than logistics during a time of grief.

A pre-need monument can be installed in the cemetery before the person passes which allows it to be there marking the final resting spot and provide some comfort to the family when the loved one does pass.

An at-need monument is chosen after a person passes away. In these situations, families are often making decisions under emotional stress and time constraints. The monument becomes part of the arrangements that need to be addressed along with services and burial. Even though the timeline is shorter, at-need monuments can still be beautifully personalized. We guide families through the process, helping with design choices, cemetery requirements, and installation timing.

We understand the emotional and practical sides of both pre-need and at-need monument planning. Whether you are thinking ahead or facing a recent loss, our role is to listen, guide, and support. With decades of experience we bring professionalism, care, and craftsmanship to every monument we create.

If you would like to explore your options or begin planning ahead, we are here to help. You can call, text, email or message to setup an appointment, or stop by the office during business hours.

10/16/2025

🕊️ Plan Now for Spring Cemetery Placement

CHARITON RIVER MONUMENTS
Honoring memories that last forever.

As the seasons change, now is the perfect time to select and order your loved one’s headstone for spring cemetery placement.
🌿 Avoid spring rush delays
🌸 Ensure installation in time for Memorial Day
🪦 Choose from beautiful custom granite designs

Our caring team will help you every step of the way — from design to delivery.

📍 Chariton River Monuments
22795 Hwy 63, Kirksville, MO
📞 660-341-0367

➡️ Message us today to begin your custom design consultation.

09/19/2025

NOW is the time to order your custom memorial stone for it to arrive in time for Spring installation. Ordering earlier allows for more design choices and helps avoid seasonal delays. Many families choose to start the process shortly after the service or within the first few months.

One of the most common questions we receive when ordering a stone is “How long will it take?”. Families want to know how long it takes for a headstone to be installed after they place an order. There isn’t one answer as it differs for each stone and it depends on a few key factors. On average, it takes 3 - 6 months from the time of order to final installation. This can vary based on approval of the final design, material availability, design (Laser and sandblast components), and cemetery rules, and even weather.

Below are some factors that affect timing:

Type of Granite and Customization – Standard designs with readily available granite may take less time. Custom artwork, shapes, or added features like laser or porcelain photos can extend the timeline.

Production and Shipping – Some colors of granite come only from overseas, which can cause delays. Domestic stones are generally faster to receive, though some colors come from a single quarry which can cause delays if that quarry has a abundance of orders. Currently we also have delays with some colors due to the tariff situation in the US and shipments being held at port.

Cemetery Regulations – Each cemetery has its own guidelines and approval process. Some require permits or have set installation dates. Some require a waiting period from burial to stone installation of at least 6 months, which allows the grave to settle helps prevent caving.

Weather Conditions – In Missouri our weather is somewhat unpredictable from year to year. The ground can freeze during late fall and winter which affects not only digging in a foundation but also can affect the integrity of the concrete. Most cemeteries do not allow installations during these months. Spring through early fall is the most common time for placement. If the ground is extremely wet we also will not place foundations as we do not want to cause any damage to the grounds.

Call, email, message, text or stop by today to set up an appointment to design your custom memorial stone!

09/18/2025

We understand that most people have never purchased a headstone before and are unsure where to begin. As memorial specialists we will guide you through the granite selection and design process and will coordinate the carving, delivery, and installation of your memorial at the cemetery. We are your single point of contact, making the process simple and convenient. We’re here to help you with this emotional and unfamiliar purchase.

Stop in at either of our locations (Kirksville or Kahoka) to see our complete product offering or to consult with our specialists. We are also available via phone, email, Facebook Messenger or text. Just let us know how we can be of assistance.

Thank you to the Schreck Family for the purchase of their beautiful custom memorial stone. Your confidence and trust in us is much appreciated.

09/16/2025

Planning a memorial is never just about stone or inscription—it’s about storytelling, family legacy, and creating a place of remembrance that will stand for generations. Here at Chariton River Monument we help our customers design a memorial stone that helps ensure the final tribute reflects the wishes of everyone involved.

We help our customers figure out how to use their loved one’s personality, beliefs, and what type of memorial would best honor them.

- What hobbies, career, or passions best represent their life?
- Are there any quotes, scriptures, or phrases they often used?
- What imagery or symbols come to mind when you think of them?
- Is there a family tradition or heritage you'd like reflected?

These questions can spark meaningful ideas and direction for your design.

We have shared this gorgeous memorial stone before, but in this post I also wanted to share the original photo that was used to create the beautiful wedding image on the stone.

Thank you again to the Tippett Family for allowing us to assist in the design of your gorgeous memorial stone.

Please call, email, message or text to set up your appointment with us!

09/07/2025

Choosing a memorial stone in the midst of grief can be overwhelming. At Chariton River Monuments we aim to make it easier to design and choose said memorial stone. Thank you to the Gleason Family for allowing us to help with the design and purchase of your memorial stone. Your confidence and business is much appreciated.

09/06/2025

We are here to help guide you through the process of creating a lasting memorial for your loved ones, and to help give you peace of mind in the difficult time that comes with the loss of loved ones.

Thank you to the Tippett family for the purchases of your beautiful & unique custom memorial stone. Your confidence and trust in us is much appreciated.

06/24/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/16m71Kxw6q/?mibextid=wwXIfr

06/18/2025

We are here to help guide you through the process of creating a lasting memorial, and to help give you peace of mind in the difficult time that comes with the loss of loved ones.

Thank you to the Rouse family for the purchase of your beautiful custom memorial stone. Your business, confidence and trust in us is much appreciated.

06/01/2025

Memorial headstones are more than just a means to mark a final resting place – they are unique works of art that last for centuries sharing with future generations your family’s story.

Thank you to the Turner family for the purchase of your custom memorial stone. Your confidence and trust in us to help design this gorgeous stone is much appreciated!

(The photos definitely do not do this stone justice! It is absolutely gorgeous! But it is so hard to get good pictures of both sides of a stone due to shadows).