Geogrid Reinforced Soil Systems (RSS) have long been used by engineers to provide for stability for retaining walls and highway roadways in North America.  Now there is a company that has turned that engineering for soil stability into products that can by used by the cemetery industry as well.

Here’s what the website for Iowat Group says about their designs for the cemetery profession, “. . . (our products) provide engineered, innovative, and reliable reinforced soil solutions that serve as foundations for monuments.”  . . . and from what I’m finding out, not only is the Iowat “MonuGrid System” ideal for setting and repairing flat monument markers, the process of doing so by this process may be financially beneficial to cemetery operators.

Recently there has been some issues in the news concerning cemetery safety because of the unfortunate situation of monument instability and the idea that a monument could eventually tip over on someone and hurt them.  As a matter of fact, this Funeral Director Daily article brings forth Powys County in Great Britain that is now inspecting cemeteries with the ability to close the cemeteries or take down monuments that the county feels may be susceptible to causing injuries.

Secondly, there can be great dissatisfaction by families when their monuments or markers sink over time.  The issue of maintaining these monuments or markers is a situation that many cemeteries believe is too costly to rehabilitate which causes the situation to just get worse over time.

Iowat believes that their “MonuGrid System”, based on RSS technology, may be the solution to this problem.  According to the MonuGrid website, “On average, it takes around three hours to complete a concrete monument installation. With our MonuGrid solutions, that time is reduced to just 30 minutes. This means your team can complete more projects in less time, significantly reducing labour costs while increasing productivity”.

In essence, while there is a small cost for the MonuGrid product, the company believes the ease of installation greatly saves on the labor costs involved. . . .saving significant dollars on every installation of MonuGrid over concrete.

A columbarium supported by MonuGrid

If you believe in testimonials here’s what John Perrotta, Director of Cemeteries for the city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, says on the Iowat website, “We have been using the MonuGrid system for a couple of years in both the re-levelling and installation of flat markers, as well as replacing failing concrete foundations. Our staff are very happy with MonuGrid, its ease of installation and durability. By using MonuGrid, we were able to increase significantly the number of repairs we do on a yearly basis, contributing to a safer cemetery.”

According to the MonuGrid website, the product can not only be used to support flat markers and upright monuments but for benches, private niches, columbariums, and crypts.  To access the MonuGrid website for more information click here.    

More news from the world of Death Care:

• Oklahoma insurance overhaul:  HB1498 enforces stricter rules on funeral benefits and cybersecurity.  Insurance News
• 42nd ABW Mortuary Affairs Team practice thorough site recovery methods.  Air Education and Training Command
• Little Rock cemetery gets backlash after people see casket outside of grave, director speaks out.  Video news story and print article.  KARK – Channel 4 – Little Rock (AR)
• Cold Bay residents uncover a “completely forgotten” WWII cemetery.  Alaska Public Media – NPR (AK)
• Consumer Watchdog:  The search for price transparency in the funeral industry.  WFMJ – Channel 21 – Youngstown (OH)

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