Frequently asked questions about glass headstones

Here, you can find comprehensive answers and valuable information on some of the most frequently asked questions about layered glass headstones, also known as stacked glass headstones. We cover topics from the delivery process and durability to fire safety. We offer useful advice on purchasing, maintaining, and installing stacked glass headstones to provide as much clarity as possible before purchasing a glass headstone from us. We invite you to explore our answers about Glasstone layered glass grave monuments and contact us if you have additional questions. 

What determines the price of a glass headstone?

The price of bespoke and classic glass headstones is primarily determined by the number of work hours required by the craftsmen, as each monument is entirely handmade. The complexity of the headstone, including its design, shape, and to a lesser extent, its size, dictates the amount of specialist–labour involved. This significantly affects the choice of cutting, edgework, and glueing techniques, as well as the cleaning and grinding procedures.

What materials and processes are involved in creating a glass headstone and how do they affect the price?

Each glass headstone comprises hundreds of unique pieces processed through at least seven stages. We only use premium-certified glass and adhesives, with craftsmen undergoing extensive training. The type and thickness of glass influence the price, with options ranging from Clear Float Glass to premium Crystal Clear Float Glass, which can add 25-35% to the cost. Prices on our website include materials (for some designs, also the stone elements), technical drawings, and coordination with stonemasons but exclude bespoke design fees, shipping, and installation costs.

In our comprehensive article, we explore the detailed craftsmanship and factors influencing the pricing of stacked glass headstones. Learn more here.

Delivery and Shipping of Your Glass Headstone

Upon completion of the glass gravestone, we meticulously prepare it for safe shipping. We survey an array of logistics companies to identify the most favorable shipping option and price for you. Delivery options and shipping pricing of the glass headstone can be determined as soon as we have the delivery address and the precise specifications of the shipment, including the size and weight of the boxes. 

While we have established successful partnerships with transportation companies serving various countries, we remain flexible and open to collaborating with a courier of your choice. Your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout the delivery process are our top priorities. Some transportation companies offer transportation insurance for the period of shipment; if this is an option for the company you choose through us - we will let you know. Otherwise, you may arrange transportation insurance for the glass gravestone with your local insurance brokers.

What is the production time of a glass headstone?

Creating glass headstones is a meticulous process requiring the expertise of highly skilled craftsmen. Production typically begins with a minimum timeframe of 30 working days. However, the complexity of the headstone's design and the volume of orders can extend this timeframe.

It's important to note that during the spring season, demand for headstones rises substantially, leading to longer production times starting from approximately 45 days. Therefore, we encourage planning ahead by initiating the design process during the winter months. This ensures timely completion and installation of the headstone in the spring or summer seasons.

Can a granite base or other stone elements be ordered for a glass headstone? 

If you wish, you can order the granite base and stone elements from us, or choose to have them made by your local monument builders. We do not make the stones ourselves, but we work with stonemasons, who can provide the highest-quality work. When the glass and stone elements of the grave monument are ready, we securely pack them for shipping and send everything together.

According to the technical drawings provided by us, your local stonemasons will be able to make accurate stone elements - both for the headstone and the entire grave site. As needed, for more complex constructions, as well as if the stonemason is faced with installing a glass headstone for the first time - we will be contacting the stonemasons, answering their questions and helping right up to installing the glass grave monument. In rare cases of very complex mixed material headstone constructions, in which the granite and glass have to be very closely aligned, the stone elements have to be made thourgh us – with our stonemasons.

Are glasstone glass headstones durable? 

Glasstone Glass Headstone Studio processes are strictly monitored, prioritizing the quality and longevity of each glass grave monument. This is why we are worldwide leaders in the production of stacked glass grave monuments and the only ones to offer a Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty on them. We are 100% sure about our glass headstone durability. Our confidence comes from scientific testing and practical experience with Glasstone stacked glass headstones installed in some of the world's coldest and hottest cemeteries (more than 20 countries). 

We have been working on the technical aspects of the durability and longevity of our stacked glass headstones for over a dozen years. The head artist and founder of Glasstone, Ernests Vītiņš, has been delving into durability issues since 2009. In July 2011, he installed the first glass grave monument, "Vītiņi," in the historic First Forest Cemetery and founded the Glasstone Glass Headstone Studio. This initiated ongoing in-depth research into the possibilities of glass stacking techniques, thanks to which we have executed increasingly complex variations of shapes, sizes, and uses of glass in creating high-quality headstones from stacked, a.k.a. layered glass.

Here, you can find out more about our craftsmanship that ensures the longevity and durability of Glasstone glass headstones. 

Are glass monuments a fire risk: can they initiate a fire? 

The glass stacking technique in which we create our glass grave monuments ensures 100% fire safety. This assurance stems from both practical evidence accumulated over a decade, with our beautiful glass headstones adorning some of the world's hottest and sunniest cemeteries in locations such as the USA, Turkey, Cyprus, and Kazakhstan, as well as from a fundamental understanding of the laws of physics, explained below.

A grave monument created using the glass stacking technique works opposite to the dangerous magnifying glass effect. Within a stacked glass tombstone, sunlight penetrating the glass undergoes dispersion rather than concentration into a singular, intense beam. This is attributed to the undulating and sometimes rugged edges of the glass layers composing the tombstone. Consequently, the rays refract and light scatters. As depicted below, this interplay not only enhances the aesthetic appeal by harmonizing with sunlight but also creates distinct glass grave monument shadow effects. 

Why order your glass headstone from Glasstone? 

Increasingly, we encounter situations where customers inquire about specific headstone companies claiming to be our representatives in their country. These companies showcase samples of our glass headstones on their websites, purporting to be our partners. To verify our official cooperation partners, please refer to our contact page or reach out to us directly.

Unfortunately, some customers find themselves in unpleasant situations when seeking high-quality stacked glass headstones. They discover headstone companies in other countries using our photos and promising to create similar glass grave monument designs, or even claiming them as their own. Often, a significant price difference indicates incompetence in this specialized field. Mechanizing the production process of stacked glass headstones to match Chinese wholesale market prices is impossible for creating durable, safe, and long-lasting stacked glass grave monuments. Crafting these pieces requires scrupulous, time-consuming handwork by experienced masters, utilizing only the highest quality, certified raw materials. Our work is founded on decades of experience and rigorous testing.

Therefore, we urge caution before ordering a glass grave monument and recommend verifying the experience of any sculptor or gravestone maker claiming to create such stacked glass grave monuments. Will the glass headstone they produce withstand various climatic conditions and endure durability for years to come? We have devoted over a decade to perfecting our technology, and we firmly believe that mastering this memorial artistry takes time and dedication– it can not be mastered over one, two or even three years.

Furthermore, if you're informed that tempered glass will be used in the stacked glass technique, exercise caution. Not only is tempered glass unsuitable for this technique, but it also compromises the quality, durability and longevity of the headstone. We encourage you to inquire about a longevity warranty from the seller. At Glasstone, we offer a lifetime craftsmanship warranty, ensuring the highest quality and longevity equivalent to the finest stonemason's guarantee on their product.

Are glass grave monuments susceptible to vandalism? 

To date, more than 50 Glasstone glass grave monuments have been installed in Latvia and many more in 20 countries around the world, with the oldest glass gravestone standing for 13 years, since July 2011, without any reported vandalism incidents. Through conversations with cemetery managers, it's apparent that any potential "destruction" is more likely associated with attempted theft for resale. However, this happens with smaller items at the cemetery and the likelihood of a glass gravestone's theft is virtually non-existent due to the grave monument's substantial weight, akin to that of a traditional granite or boulder gravestone. Additionally, the personalized nature of each glass grave monument further deters theft, ensuring the security of these cherished memorials.