Our Story

"It all started when my mom passed away, and I wanted to create a beautiful memorial that incorporated the things that meant a lot to her.

With my background in graphic design, I created a custom design through my art software and sought someone who could transfer it onto a gravestone.

I went to the local monument shop at the time, and showed them the design, only to be laughed at by the owner, who said it was impossible. Instead, he offered me blocky fonts and some very dated images that were neither beautiful nor recognizable, in my opinion.

I left and tried another monument shop in a larger neighbouring city, and received the same response. My custom image was deemed too detailed and outside their production parameters.

The selections at both shops were uninspiring, to say the least.

I wanted something better, so I asked one of the shop owners if I could buy a chipped stone he had lying around. He agreed and sold it to me for $100. I took it home and began experimenting.

With my primary business, Caufields Engraving, I had a client who had purchased some sandblasting masks for glass, so I was somewhat familiar with the sandblasting process. I googled the masks myself, purchased some, and figured out how to cut it using my laser.

Then I contacted a high school friend whose dad was a professional sandblaster. He offered to blast the stone for me, and the result...was perfect and exactly what I'd imagined!

With that success, I proposed the idea of starting a business, and my partner eagerly agreed.

We immediately reached out to local funeral homes and began receiving orders, not just for new stones but also for adding names to existing ones already in cemeteries.

Initially, we transported the stones to our shop for sandblasting, but soon realized we could do it on-site. My partner had experience sandblasting log homes on location, and suggested we try this approach for the stones at the cemeteries. We did and it worked beautifully!

We pride ourselves on delivering the best product, tailored to each individual's wishes - with no exceptions. Whether it's full custom graphics, fancy fonts, or tracing personal images and laser etching them onto the stone, we can turn your unique idea into a reality.

Just like we did for my mom, with that very first stone."

- Kim Shippam

Owner, Legacy Memorials