Adding a bronze scroll with the date of death to a tombstone

Bronze headstones are very popular in many cemeteries across the country. In fact, many of the modern memorial parks require bronze headstones over any other type of headstone. Given this fact, many surviving family members are tasked with adding a scroll bearing the date of death to their deceased loved one’s bronze monument.

Sounds simple, right? The only problem is that depending on when the original bronze marker was purchased or from which company, it can be difficult to find the correct bronze date scroll. There are several reasons why this task can be difficult.

• The original company from which the bronze tombstone was purchased has gone out of business.
• The cemetery changed suppliers or owners of the bronze and has no records of the original purchase.
• The surviving relatives do not know where their parents bought the monument from.
• The graveyard/monument dealer wants to charge an arm and a leg for the new bronze scroll with the date of death and you can’t afford it.

Of course there may be other reasons, but these are the most common. Now that we know why it’s hard to find a death date for a bronze marker, we can talk about how to get this job done.

Determining what type of bronze death date scroll you need

The first job is to determine who made the bronze tombstone. Since there are quite a few bronze makers, the best way to determine this is to take a picture of the entire bronze monument in order to identify the design. Unfortunately, the bronze tombstones are not made with a part number on the front and this only increases the difficulty. A close-up photograph of the existing bronze date scroll will help identify the font style. Use a digital camera for best results. Digital images are also easier to email.

Bronze death date scrolls are usually one of two styles.

1. The name, date of birth and date of death are on the scroll.
2. Only the date of the year is on the scroll.

Next, take out your ruler and write down these measurements from the bronze date scroll to replace or order it. Measure to the nearest 1/16 inch.

• The entire length of the bronze scroll (from left to right)
• The width of the scroll (from top to bottom, NOT the thickness)
• The distance between the screw holes (center to center)
• The size of the letters used for the date and the name (from top to bottom)

Also, rub the bronze scroll with the date of death on it, as this will help in trying to get the date scroll correct. Most bronze makers may require one when ordering an upgraded death date scroll. Once you have the measurements, photos, and text to cast, you can start visiting local monument dealers or consulting with an online headstone dealer.

Remember, when providing the information, be sure to include:

• A photograph of the entire bronze design.
• A close-up photograph of the bronze scroll
• The measurements of the parchment.
• The text to be issued on the new date scroll.

If you live in a rural area or have limited resources for headstone dealers, you can always search online for a headstone dealer who provides bronze scrolls with the date of death. You may find that their prices are even better than local sources.