Case Study: Grave Stone Development
Creating The Xirafakis Family Monument
"Open Letter to All
Finding comfort after the loss of a loved one can take many forms. I chose to wrap my feelings, hope, and faith into the fashioning of our family monument shortly after my husband Chris, who was 59 years old at the time, passed away. We had been married 30 years and had recently celebrated our wedding anniversary.
Taking advantage of the internet, I was fortunate to land upon the AJ Bellomo Studios & Black Forest Company. I was extremely impressed with the liturgical artwork and immediately drawn into the possibility of designing a monument that focused on life rather than death, joy instead of sorrow, and love in place of bitterness, in contrast to what you normally see in our cemeteries today.
I decided to contact Tony and together with my son Frank, we moved forward with the project. According to my wishes, we were able to adapt the icon of the Transfiguration of Christ, known also as the Metamorphosis, into the monument’s design.
My experience interacting with Tony and his staff was inspirational. On our trips to review the progress, my entire family was treated with the utmost respect and consideration. The work effort was conducted as a project with a formal project plan from concept/feasibility, through design and securing my approvals along the way, construction of full-size figures and monument models, selection of the granite, contracting with the granite company that subsequently did the actual engravings on the stone, the delivery and installation in Chicago, and the dealings with the cemetery personnel to obtain approvals, communicate foundation requirements, and specifications. Tony also came to Chicago to oversee the successful completion of the project.
Tony was able to capture my vision to preserve the memory of our family. With his artistic gift, Tony symbolized the transition in our faith, by which our departed loved ones find passage, through our prayers and good deeds, from our earthly womb into the arms of God.
With Kind Regards,
Goldie Xirafakis"
The Design
The inspiration: Transfiguration of Christ (Metamorphosis)
A life size model of the monument with detail was made. (front and back)
The patterns were then applied to the stones for sand-blasting.
The base was cut and prepared.
Assembly and Installation
At location, the solid base was hoisted off the back of the truck and into place with an industrial crane.
Holes were then drilled into the monument slabs to attatch the sculpted figures.
The sculptures were prepared and attatched.
Pegs were used for precise placement of the three vertical stones.
Using the same lifting method, the vertical pieces were positioned into place on top of the base.
The Finished Product
Finished memorial gravestone (back and front)
"I was permitted by the cemetery to engrave both sides of the monument. I was born in Chicago and my husband was from Greece. The front facing east, as is the Greek Orthodox custom, is in English. The back side is in Greek. The base has the entire name of the village/city/state in Greece where my husband was born. Our last name is shown on the center panel. The cross and peacocks were drawn from a picture I took of a church in Athens, Greece on our last family trip.
Below is the poem I wrote for my husband. It helped tie the monument together with my feelings. The poem is also displayed in one of the picture-type frames located in the center of the monument base front.
Transfigured high upon a mountain's edge
Conversing with the past
Divine glory illuminates the sky above
His purpose to fulfill at last
Please waken me a glimpse behold
With James and John and Peter
I fell asleep and left behind
The mourning doves to greet her
I want to gaze upon Your light
Embodied in Your spirit
Please cradle me within Your arms
Rejoice for I am near Him"
- Goldie Xirafakis
