Columbia Monument

Custom engraved headstones that help families celebrate a life well-lived

problem

For decades, Lower Columbia Monument had been a trusted family business, quietly serving its community with compassion and craftsmanship. As ownership passed to a new generation of close family friends, the business needed a refreshed identity that honored its history while reflecting new energy, perspective, and pride.

solution

The new owners simplified the business name to Columbia Monument — a clearer, more confident expression of who they are and the work they faithfully continue. With that foundation in place, they brought me in to develop a refreshed identity that honored the legacy they inherited while reflecting their own warmth, craftsmanship, and Christian values. The resulting brand carries forward decades of trust while introducing a more modern, woman-led presence grounded in listening and deep care.

Built on decades of trusted service and renewed by a new generation of owners, Columbia Monument listens deeply to each family’s story and creates enduring stone memorials that reflect a legacy and the hope of eternity.

The brand strategy positions Columbia Monument as listeners first, makers second — a memorial company rooted in story, compassion, and craftsmanship. By leaning into “storytelling as a service,” the brand shifts away from transactional, package-driven competitors and toward a more human, relational experience that honors every life individually.

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Brand strategy

A star. It represents the stories that endure beyond this life, and serve as a reminder that our loved ones’ lives are written into the heavens, held in God’s creation. Just as the night sky declares His glory, the star reflects the light of memory that continues to shine, even after loss.

The identity centers on a crafted serif wordmark and an arched monogram evocative of a headstone, marked by a single star — a symbol of stories that continue. A full set of logo variants provides flexibility without losing the elegance and consistency of the primary mark.

Inspired by stone, sky, and scripture, the palette pairs a steadfast navy with warm gold to evoke permanence and reverence. Soft ivory and slate give the brand its quiet, compassionate tone, while a note of cornflower blue reflects the sky under which memories are held and stories are remembered.

We wanted Columbia Monument to feel contemporary and capable. The kind of brand that could one day collaborate with partners like Dovetail Workwear, a leader in spotlighting women-owned and women-powered trade businesses. Building the identity with this ambition in mind ensured the brand feels not only timeless but culturally relevant and proudly woman-led.