After 18 years in the funeral industry, Michael Furner has made the switch to the monument industry, opening Michaelangelo Monuments in Price last year.
“I have always sold and designed headstones for the last 10-12 years so I have experience with it,” Furner explained. “I thought it would be a good transition. I know how to help people in emotional situations and how to be sensitive and make this process as simple as possible.”
Products and services offered at Michaelangelo Monuments include standard/traditional monuments, custom headstones, cremation memorials (including benches), pet memorials and park benches as well as the cleaning and restaining of headstones. Furner is also known for his out-of-the-box thinking, offering a wide range of options to make each monument personal.
“If nothing else, I like to share with people what is available and all the different options,” Furner said. “I just want to offer people styles they didn’t even know existed.”
While Furner creates many designs using sandblasting, he can also use a laser to depict more detail on monuments. Clients can also personalize monuments with different colors, shapes and types of granite, vases, solar lights, photos and emblems. While it does take Furner some time to custom order certain stones from quarries throughout the world, the process ensures that each monument is personal.
“It’s a process, but I want to make sure they get exactly what they want,” Furner said.
Furner also aims to meet each client’s budget. He will design three options for clients at different sizes so that they can decide what will fit their budget. Once the design is perfect, Furner not only creates the monument, he sets it as well. Since each cemetery has its own regulations, Furner will work personally with each one to ensure that the monument is set properly.
While many of Furner’s clients are those memorializing loved ones, it is not uncommon for people to choose their own monuments ahead of time. Furner explained that this way, the client gets exactly what they want and the burden is lifted off the family.
Michaelangelo Monuments is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clients can also be seen on Saturdays or after hours by appointment. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (435) 637-6484. Furner stressed that now is the time to order so that monuments can be placed by Memorial Day.
