U.S. — For nearly a century, John Dioguardi’s family has crafted custom headstones and memorial markers at Rome Monument. But with cremations rising and tariffs on imported granite soaring, Dioguardi now questions the future of his business.
Over the past decade, the growing preference for cremation has steadily reduced demand for traditional burial markers. This year, President Donald Trump’s broad tariffs further strained the industry by increasing costs for granite sourced from countries like China and India.
“I hope this all works out,” Dioguardi said. “I have no idea if it will.”
Rome Monument is one of many small, family-run memorial businesses navigating these economic and social shifts. To mitigate tariff impacts, some, like Dioguardi, have moved much of their supply chain to countries with lower duties. But even domestic production remains costly due to labor expenses and limited availability of specialty granite.
Jim Milano of Milano Monuments in Cleveland described the tariffs as “a gut punch,” noting that small margins make absorbing extra costs particularly difficult. “We can’t go back to a grieving family and say, ‘We have to add an extra $1,000 for tariffs,’” he said.
Operational uncertainty is another challenge. Because memorial products require long lead times, fluctuating tariff rates can impact costs between the time an order is placed and when the granite arrives. Businesses like PS Granite are now preparing marketing materials every 60 days to adjust pricing as tariffs shift.
Even before the tariffs, the industry was adapting to a new reality. Cremation rates in the U.S. have surged to over 60% in 2024, up from under 40% fifteen years ago. Many businesses are diversifying offerings, creating pedestal memorials for ashes, and exploring unconventional products—such as pet memorials or “rainbow bridge” installations.
“Cremation has changed our business tremendously,” Dioguardi said. “It’s created new opportunities. It has closed some other doors.”
Across the country, family-owned monument makers are striving to balance tradition with adaptation, ensuring their work remains meaningful while navigating a landscape of tariffs, shifting customs, and evolving mourning practices.
