Bronze monuments have become a popular alternative to the stone monument that has been used as a grave marker for centuries. People prefer cast bronze markers because of their color and their elegance. They do not have the dourness associated with the typical stone monument. They can also be sculpted so that they reflect the personality of the lost loved one.
Bronze is a strong alloy composed of copper and tin. When monuments are made from bronze, a mold of the monument (including the lettering, the dates, and the design pattern) is prepared for pouring. Pieces of unshaped bronze are placed in a pot and melted under intense heat (about 2000 degrees). Once the bronze has melted, it is poured into the mold.
The next phase in the bronze casting process is called "chasing." Chasing involves removing the imperfections of the cast by lightly grinding the bronze until the desired surface texture and shape has been achieved. The chasing (think sanding) gives the finished project the desired texture. After chasing, a craftsman will touch up and define any areas of detail that may not have transferred during the casting process.
Next, the craftsman will apply several coats of paint to the bronze monument. When the paint has dried, the craftsman will rub areas of the bronze plaque with a solvent. This process (which removes the paint and exposes the top edge of both the letters and the sculpted design features) brings out the beautiful contrast between the natural bronze coloring and the painted background. Finally, a lacquer coating is applied as a finish.