Summer Specials and Other News

Welcome to summer!
I wanted to let you know that we are currently running our Summer Specials that are running until the end of October 2012. There are some amazing deals, and these offers will not be repeated! So please have a look at them, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Take me to our Summer Specials!

What have we been up to?

Spring has been very busy here, with installations, invitations and memorial restorations. We have also been fortunate enough to offer a memorial to a family who lost their little angle, and our art department is currently busy working with them to create the perfect memorial for the. We will keep you posted on the progress.
Our vision is to be able to assist families in need throughout the year with a memorial for a loved one.
It is our way of making a difference and participating in the LEAD SA campaign.

We have also become a partner with Crime prevention Boards, and we are involved with them for the next year.

Flower Service

Our secret garden of our artificial flower service has really taken off. The quality and value for money of our arrangements and wreaths have been well received by our clients,and the department is going from strength to strength. Thank you to all our clients that have supported us in this endeavour.

Little Tombstones For Little Angels

We were very honoured to be asked to do two memorials for two special little ones. We worked with the families to create the vision that they had for each memorial and are very proud of what our team accomplished. Just another example of us pushing the design envelope and assisting clients in their ideas they have for their everlasting memorial for their little angels.

If you have an idea for a memorial please feel free to contact us and we will gladly assist you in your requirements. If you would like more information on the above memorials please feel free to contact us.

Invitation Factory 

Our invitation service has been incredibly busy this year, and have created some amazing invitations. Always making sure that the invitation is exactly what each client envisioned and always going the extra mile.
A very special thank you to Dawn, our invitation manager, who has really created some beautiful new designs, her wonderful nature and personality. You are truly a star!

I hope everyone has a  beautiful October and that it is filled with love, laughter and happiness.

If you have any queries or you require information please feel free to contact us.

Blessings and Light

Tasch

Spring has Sprung!

The weather has definitely warmed up and its time to put the jerseys, coats and boots away and bring out the sandals and short sleeves!

This winter at Forget me not Tombstones has been incredibly busy and we have been pushing the design envelope again. From doing larger tombstones, mosaics, coloured engravings that are beyond anything we have done before to installing a beautiful "arty" tombstone.

Have a look for yourself

Coloured Engravings

A client wanted us to replace our traditional flowers with beautiful king proteas around a cross design. This is what our art department created!

New Mother Mary Statue

This Mother Mary is made from Porcelain and measures 35cm by 20cm. This is a perfect accessory for any memorial where you are looking for something special. The price at the moment is R600.00 Again brought to you from the hands of our art department.

New Little Angel Statue

We have searched for many months for a beautiful large angel to add to a child memorial or even for an adult tombstone. We have found this amazing angel which measures 50cm x 35 cm, we can leave it grey or we can paint the little angel to your requirements. We chose this angel because we feel it is just so serene and is not the traditional angels that are available. The price of this angel is R800.00 at the moment.

New Headstone Design Now Offered by Us!

We have been working on different  design options this winter, and we are excited to be able to offer you a stepped tombstone. Adding that something different to the memorial.

Our First Truly Abstract Tombstone

Our art department worked for months with our client to see there dream for this memorial come true.

this beautiful memorial is one of a kind. The striking sandblasted designs run from the main slab to the tiling around the tombstone creating one of the most elegant and abstract tombstone we have created.

We enjoyed this process immensely and look forward to more interesting and challenging designs!

Two Examples of Memorials we Installed

Installed Gallant (top) and Raegan (bottom). Names have been taken out to respect our client's privacy.

Large and Beautiful monuments!

Spring Specials Now on!

We are currently running our annual Spring Specials her at Forget me not Tombstones, please navigate to our website to our Specials page! Don't miss out on these Specials!

Thank you for taking the time to see just a little bit of what we have been up to here in Winter 2012.

Blessings and Light

Tasch

Helping make a Wish come true!

Were very honoured that we were able to be part of Talk Radio 702s 32nd Birthday wish.

We were able to offer Melta Shoba a tombstone for her late son.

This is the email that we received from 702.

We received an email from Sandy, an avid listener of the radio station. Sandy says in November 2011 her domestic worker

Melta Shoba’s son Richmond took ill. She he was suffering from excruciating headaches. After many visits to Germiston 

Hospital he was eventually admitted.

When Sandy contacted the sister on duty, she was told they had thought Richmond had a fit. The medical care he received at the

hospital was appalling and his condition deteriorated . Melta decided she wanted to take her son to Swaziland.

 On their way to Swaziland, they stopped at a hospital in Polokwane as Richmond’s condition worsened. 

It took one test by the doctor on duty to diagnose Richmond with viral meningitis.  However because it been left untreated for

so long they were not able to do anything for him and in December he passed away.

Sandy has asked us to help Melta with a tombstone for her late son, as that’s all she would like to do for him.

Talk Radio 702 is appealing to you, donate a tombstone to Melta’s late son.

We realise how important a memorial is for a loved one, and we are very happy to be able to give back, and be apart of Lead SA.

On Friday the 22nd of June 2012, Melta and Sandy decided to come to our showroom to look at our selection of tombstones, Melta was

Convinced that our offer of a memorial was not real. However after she visited us, had a cup of tea and spoke to Norman and Natascha.

She was so excited and she will be back with her family to select a tombstone for her son. We are looking forward to her next visit and we Will keep you updated on the wish!

Check out our website for loads of information and specials we are running at the moment

www.forgetmenottombstones.co.za

blessings and light

tasch

Be informed when selecting a Tombstone

www.forgetmenottombstones.co.za

The last few months I have been approached by many people coming to our showroom telling me that most other tombstone companies that have given them quotations on tombstones but they only found out at a later stage that the price that was given to them was not inclusive and the price of the memorial increased drastically.

The tombstone industry in South Africa is thriving, and where there are many reputable companies there are unfortunately, as in any industry, there are fly-by-nights. This post is to assist the you in making the most informed decision when selecting a tombstone for your loved ones.

What do I mean by All Inclusive?


When purchasing a tombstone from us, ALL our prices on ALL our ranges, including our Sales or Specials include the following:

• Vat
• Installation in the Johannesburg Area
• Wording and graphics - NO RESTRICTION, you may have as many words as you like on the tombstone.
• free colour unveiling invitations custom made to your specifications
• Free remembrance notice posted on www.southafricanfunerals.co.za
• We also offer a free design service for tombstones, as well as mock-ups of the wording for the tombstone before we engrave for you, so you can make sure that we are creating the vision you have for the memorial.

What you need to be Aware of

Many companies will include vat, but sometimes they will not include installation in the price. You need to ask them if it includes installation in the area that the cemetery is in.

Avery important aspect is engraving or the wording for the tombstones. Most companies will offer you between  80 - 100 words in the price that they give you. They will then charge you anywhere between R2.50 to R8.00 per LETTER after this. If you want any graphics such as roses, praying hands etc they will also undoubtedly charge you extra for this.

Here at Forget me not Tombstones we offer you unlimited amount of words and graphics. If we do not have the graphic you are looking for, we will source it and place the design that you like on the tombstone. we do this free of charge. So you dont have to worry about cutting out wording that you want to place on the memorial for your loved one, but you can say everything that you want to, with no worry about the additional cost.

Other companies might offer you free unveiling cards, but you need to ask what type they are offering you. The invitations might be a blank card that you fill out yourself or a standard invitation. Everyone wants something special for the unveiling and we provide this. Our invitations are made in a variety of colours, beautiful graphics, loving wording and are made to your specification.

We go one step further, and offer you a free posting of your unveiling or remembrance notice on our partners website - South African Funerals. Just another service we are offering to assist you in the whole process of purchasing a memorial.

A Word on Granite Grades

This is a little known fact that many consumers are not aware of, but there are 3 types of granite grades.

The grades are used to grade the granite's quality, this is usually done by the number of imperfections in the stone, the degree and amount of any fissures, cracks and points of weakness.

The three grades are:

• 1st grade granite - export quality, the highest quality available on the market
• 2nd grade granite - Has a degree of imperfections, fissures, cracks and/or points of weakness
• 3rd grade granite - Has a large degree of imperfections, fissures, cracks and/or points of weakness.

When requesting a quotation from a company, do not forget to ask what grade of granite they use to make their tombstones out of. We realise that only the best for our loved ones is acceptable, we only use 1st grade granite - export quality. All our tombstones on ALL our ranges are made from the highest quality granite in South Africa. We offer high quality tombstones at affordable prices

What about a Guarantee? 

You need to make sure that the company that you purchase a memorial from, has a good track record, has been in business for a number of years and is known for their quality and service.

We offer 25 years guarantee on ALL our tombstones. We have been in business for 11 years this year, we have an excellent track record. We have been nominated for small business of the year award from radio 702 and pastel in 2011, we were interviewed for being a successful business on "The Big Small Business Show" on summit tv. We have also done tombstones for many significant South Africans, and have a large celebrity and govermental client base.

A first in South Africa

Forget me not Tombstones takes our guarantee one step further - we will fix the tombstones and reinstall it if the tombstone EVER subsides, due to weather or elements. After many years in the business, we have learnt that cemeteries have different soil, and some are more prone to water damage than others. Here at Forget me not we realise that this is is a factor completely out of your control and can be very upsetting, and other companies can charge a small fortune to reinstall the memorial. If this ever happened to you, all you have to do is phone us, log in a repair for the tombstone, and we will fix the subsided tombstone - no hassle, no stress - no problem.

Additional Services

You are probably asking yourself how could there possibly be more that we could offer? the answer is YES.

If you do not see a tombstone that you like in all our ranges, email us a sketch or a photograph and we will provide you with a quote. If you only have an idea or a vision we will work with you in our tombstone design studio and come up with a unique memorial that suits all your requirements. Again this is a FREE service.

We also offer a wide range of resource tools, such as inspirational wording on our website, which is updated regularly, we source the latest wording and we search the internet for the best and most beautiful words. 

We also have a noticeboard, where you can learn on how to acquire a permit from the cemetery, contact numbers for cemeteries, any news that has been launched in the tombstone industry and municipalities that relate to cemeteries. Support group information is also available, in order for you to connect with people who are experiencing similar emotion to what you are going through.

Closing Thought

We at Forget me not Tombstones, pride ourselves in being open and honest with our clients, and that is why I have written this article in order to assist you in making an informed decision.

We pride ourselves in offering affordable tombstones and memorials, however there might be places that offer cheaper tombstones than us, however i can almost guarantee you that they do not include all the services we offer in the price.  They also do not have the track record than us, been in business for as long as we have and offer high quality tombstones with outstanding service not only during the selection of the tombstone and the installation but aftercare service. 

In a nutshell we offer peace of mind - today and tomorrow.\

I sincerely hope that this has been of assitance, if you have any questions or queries please feel free to contact me.

thank you for taking time to read this.

Blessings and Light

Tasch

Taking Time Out

Firstly I truly hope that everyone had a beautiful Easter weekend filled with family and friends.
During the long weekend I began to think how important taking time out for yourself is.

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.  ~Attributed to both Jim Goodwin and Sydney J. Harris

We have been incredibly busy here at Forget me not Tombstones, and we are going from strength to strength this year. But as everyone knows with increased workload comes increased stress. I often find myself, and everyone around me being consumed by work. Being a family business, seperating work and home life is often a challenge. My husband and I have a rule where we are allowed to "talk shop" for an hour after work and then its time to relax, to do our own thing and spend time together.

And this brings me to my point, that we so often 'become our work', that we live and breath only our career path. We so often forget to take time out of each day, even if it is only half an hour to spend with ourselves. Be it taking a long bubble bath (a favourite of mine ), reading a book, doing relaxation exercises or even just sitting in the garden.


We so often forget about own wellbeing, and by not looking after ourselves, we can not look after the people we love and bring new innovative ideas to our jobs. We end up burning the candle at both ends and before we know it, we are worn out.

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  ~Ovid

For me i am still on this path, being in such a responsible position not only with our team, but with each and every client, it is very difficult to remember about "the self". We have to nourish ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. I often have to take a step back and remember to nurture myself, family and friends, because lets be honest, your job does not keep you warm at night, or will be your companion, your life partner as you walk your journey. I think we all have to strike a balance between work and play.

The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.  ~Author Unknown


I have always said that I will know that i have had a furfiliing life, when i look down and see the amount of people that attend my funeral. A strange thing to do, but being in the industry i am in, a normal progression i think. I want to know that i have had an impact of peoples' lives, that i shared much joy and love with them and that i made time for my family and friends. Before we know it, life has passed us by, and living with regret is not a way to live.

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
Winston Churchill

My thought for the week is spend time with yourself and your family. Remember how much they love you and cherish you in their lives. We are all unique and special. Try not forget that you are already perfect, and to be happy with yourself. True happiness comes from within.


HAPPINESS comes from sharing one's self and one's blessings.

I found this article very informative and helpful.
http://www.niu.edu/facdev/resources/crisis/tipsforstress.shtml

I hope you have a wonderful week.

blessings and light

tasch

In Remembrance

I am always on the look out for beautiful words that encompass how we feel about loved ones we have lost. I find it is difficult to sometimes put  thoughts, emotions and memories we have of a cherished one, and that is why i have decided to post some on the most moving words i have found recently.

Remembrance
Remembrance is a golden chain
Death tries to break,
but all in vain.
To have, to love, and then to part
Is the greatest sorrow of one’s heart.
The years may wipe out many things
But some they wipe out never.
Like memories of those happy times
When we were all together.

Your Loved One lives In Your Heart

Many tender memories soften your grief,
May fond recollection bring you relief,
And may you find comfort and peace in the thought
Of the joy that knowing your loved one brought…
For time and space can never divide
Or keep your loved one from your side
When memory paints in colors true
The happy hours that belonged to you.
~ Helen Steiner Rice

 “I have only slipped away into the next room, I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Play, smile, think of me. All is well.”

~ Henry Scott Holland (shortened from What is Death?)


In one of the stars, I shall be living.
In one of them, I shall be laughing.
And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night.
~ The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery


Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. ~ Rossiter W. Raymond

I Have A Place in Heaven - Unknown

Please don't sing sad songs for me,
Forget your grief and fears,
For I am in a perfect place
Away from pain and tears

It's far away from hunger
And hurt and want and pride,
I have a place in Heaven
With the Master at my side.

My life on earth was very good,
As earthly life can go,
But Paradise is so much more
Than anyone can know.

My heart is filled with happiness
And sweet rejoicing, too.
To walk with God is perfect peace,
A joy forever new.

I hope that these poems and quotes are helpful to you and your loved ones.

A wonderful website to look for more inspirational wording is www.funeralhelper.org.

Blessings and Light

Tasch

Our TV Debut

At the end of last year, we were approached by Summit TV, asking us to be apart of The Big Small Business Show! We were completely blown away
And were incredibly excited about this amazing opportunity. Filming took place on the 15th of December 2012, and it was a wonderful, nerve racking
Experience. We would like to thank Matt Edwards from  Summit for the opportunity and the for making the experience such a memorable one!
To everyone her at Forget me not Tombstones , we go from strength to strength and the only reason that this is possible is because we are not only
A team, but we are a family as well. Congrats to you all!

Don’t miss our big tv debut! Times are as follows:
The show goes out on Summit (Ch412) for the first time on Monday 6 Feb at 21:10, with repeats on Tuesday at 09:10, Wednesday at 16:30  and Friday at 18:10.





Rita Mae Brown (1944 - ____) US writer, playwright

Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts

Blessings and light

tasch

Creativity Abound in 2012!

Welcome to February 2012 - A leap year!
A little fact:
In a Leap year there is a traditional in Ireland and Scotland, that ladies can ask their man to marry them! I did this to my husband, granted we where 14 years old, but it eventually happened! :)

2012 is going to be an exciting year at Forget me not Tombstones, starting this month with our first television appearance on Summit TV - The Small Business Show. Filming took place last year December, and it was an experience that we will not forget. Incredibly nerve racking, but also exciting beyond belief! I will keep you posted on the day that the show is going to air!

This year is all about creativity for us. Pushing the design envelope is something we do on a daily basis and everyone on the Forget me not Team, challenge themselves personally to create beautiful memorials for clients, that not only are visually beautiful, but meaningful and personal. A true testimony to your loved one.
We are driven by passion for what we do, and i feel blessed that i am able to do something that i love and that  is fulfilling on so many levels.

We have also decided to expand our handmade invitation department. We found that last year we were not only doing unveiling invitations but wedding invites, baby showers and house warming invitations. We love to be creative at Forget me not, and we are pleased to announce that we have two extra creative fairies on our team to help with crafting our beautiful invitations. So please feel free to drop us an email for information! We would love to hear from you!

We have also upgraded our showroom, and there are a few new designs that we have brain stormed and are already receiving many compliments. If you have a design idea for a memorial or you cant find exactly what you are looking for, then please email us for assistance. We love a design challenge and find it incredibly rewarding being able to assist the public in their vision.

So please email us questions, queries or comments. We would love to hear from you!

I hope that February is a wonderful month for you and that you too find time to be creative in your life.

An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.
Edwin Land

Blessings and Light


Tasch