Monument with Visitation Stone Receptacle

Abstract

A monument includes a foundation member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of edge surfaces. The top surface includes a top dimensional area that exceeds an edge dimensional area of any edge surface of the plurality of edge surfaces. The monument further includes a memorial message portion disposed on the top surface, and a visitation stone receptacle. The visitation stone receptacle includes a receptacle opening flush with the top surface, and a plurality of receptacle side portions. The receptacle base portion forms a base for a recessed volume. The base is configured to receive one of a) an insert configured to fill a cavity formed by the visitation stone receptacle, or b) a visitation stone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A memorial comprising:
 a foundation member comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of edge surfaces, the top surface having a top dimensional area that exceeds an edge dimensional area of any edge surface of the plurality of edge surfaces;   a memorial message portion disposed on the top surface; and   a visitation stone receptacle comprising:
 a receptacle opening flush with the top surface; and 
 a plurality of receptacle side portions; and 
 a receptacle base portion forming a base for a recessed volume, wherein the recessed volume is configured to receive one of:
 an insert configured to fill a cavity formed by the visitation stone receptacle; or 
 a visitation stone. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , wherein the visitation stone receptacle further comprises:
 a receptacle base portion disposed approximately parallel to the top surface.   
     
     
         3 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle base portion is formed by a surface of the foundation member. 
     
     
         4 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle base portion comprises a drain channel comprising an opening on a surface of the receptacle base portion and extending through the foundation member. 
     
     
         5 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle base portion comprises a surface other than the foundation member surface. 
     
     
         6 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the insert configured to fill a cavity formed by the visitation stone receptacle.   
     
     
         7 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , wherein, when disposed on the receptacle base portion, an insert top portion of the insert is disposed approximately parallel to the top surface of the foundation member. 
     
     
         8 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , further comprising a memorial message disposed on a memorial message portion. 
     
     
         9 . The memorial according to  claim 8 , wherein the memorial message is disposed on a metallic memorial plate; and
 wherein the metallic memorial plate is rigidly attached to the foundation member.   
     
     
         10 . The memorial according to  claim 8 , wherein the memorial message is carved into the foundation member. 
     
     
         11 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , wherein the memorial is comprised of stone. 
     
     
         12 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , wherein the visitation stone dimensionally fits in a sphere having a radius of 2 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , wherein the visitation stone dimensionally fits in a sphere having a radius of 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , wherein the visitation stone dimensionally fits in a sphere having a radius of 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The memorial according to  claim 1 , wherein the memorial is configured to be disposed in a ground surface cavity such that a top surface is approximately parallel with a ground surface proximate to the memorial when installed in the ground surface cavity. 
     
     
         16 . A method for storing a visitation stone a memorial comprising:
 positioning, in a ground cavity, a foundation member comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of edge surfaces, the top surface having a top dimensional area that exceeds an edge dimensional area of any edge surface of the plurality of edge surfaces, wherein a memorial message portion is disposed on the top surface; and   orienting, opposite to a ground surface, a visitation stone receptacle by:
 forming a receptacle opening flush with the top surface; and 
 forming a plurality of receptacle side portions, wherein the receptacle base portion forms a base for a recessed volume configured to receive one of an insert configured to fill a cavity formed by the visitation stone receptacle, or the visitation stone. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the visitation stone receptacle further comprises:
 a receptacle base portion disposed approximately parallel to the top surface.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the receptacle base portion comprises a surface of the foundation member. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the receptacle base portion comprises a drain channel comprising an opening on a surface of the receptacle base portion and extends through the foundation member. 
     
     
         20 . A method of fabricating a memorial comprising:
 fabricating a foundation member from stone or metal, the foundation member comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of edge surfaces, the top surface having a top dimensional area that exceeds an edge dimensional area of any edge surface of the plurality of edge surfaces; and   forming, by removing material from the foundation member, a visitation stone receptacle comprising a receptacle opening flush with the top surface;
 wherein the visitation stone receptacle comprises a receptacle base portion forming a base for a recessed volume, the recessed volume configured to receive one of:
 an insert configured to fill a cavity formed by the visitation stone receptacle; or 
 a visitation stone.