Monument with Visitation Stone Receptacle

Abstract

A monument includes a foundation member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of edge surfaces. The top surface includes a top dimensional area that exceeds an edge dimensional area of any edge surface of the plurality of edge surfaces. The monument further includes a memorial message portion disposed on the top surface, and a visitation stone receptacle. The visitation stone receptacle includes a receptacle opening flush with the top surface, and a plurality of receptacle side portions. The receptacle base portion forms a base for a recessed volume. The base is configured to receive one of a) an insert configured to fill a cavity formed by the visitation stone receptacle, or b) a visitation stone.

Description

INTRODUCTION[0001]The subject disclosure relates to memorials, and more particularly, to a flat gravestone memorial having a visitation stone receptacle configured to store visitation stones.BACKGROUND[0002]For earth burials, maintenance of the burial site may be difficult when caring for lawn and other vegetation growing around a burial site when the gravestone includes memorial items left by visitors. Some religious traditions may include leaving items at the grave site that are intended for long-term and / or permanent storage at the site. While such storage of memorial items may not be problematic for above-ground monuments such as headstones positioned vertically, perpendicular to the surface of the ground, in some burial scenarios, the burial site vegetation maintenance may be problematic when the monument is a flat gravestone configured to be generally flush with the surface of the ground.[0003]Lawn-level or flat gravestone monuments are sometimes used at burial sites to make r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent provides a solution for maintaining burial site monuments using lawncare equipment. The system prevents visitation stones from being lost, damaged, or causing harm to the memorial or other people. This invention solves a long-standing problem that has been affecting burial sites for several years.

Problems solved by technology

For earth burials, maintenance of the burial site may be difficult when caring for lawn and other vegetation growing around a burial site when the gravestone includes memorial items left by visitors.

While such storage of memorial items may not be problematic for above-ground monuments such as headstones positioned vertically, perpendicular to the surface of the ground, in some burial scenarios, the burial site vegetation maintenance may be problematic when the monument is a flat gravestone configured to be generally flush with the surface of the ground.

However, when the site undergoes routine maintenance, lawn equipment such as a lawn mower, when rolling over the flat gravestone, may strike any extant visitation stones or other small items stored on a top surface of the flat gravestone.

Striking the stones / items with the rotating mowing equipment often causes the stones to be thrown at a high velocity.

The flying stones may strike and damage the memorial, damage the maintenance equipment, or injure maintenance personnel or a bystander.

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