The Company

Founded in 1908 by John Francis Brown, Brown Memorials is a fifth-generation monument company dedicated to the art and craft of fine memorial design. Early on, the company established a reputation for crafting a grade of memorial that few others could match, making them one of the most desirable monument builders in the southeast.

Each generation has left their mark, not only on the business, but on the North American monument industry. Second generation, Claude Brown, was a founding member of the industry’s most prestigious group, The American Institute of Commemorative Art (AICA). Third generation, Bill Brown, was considered a maverick in his day and served as president of the AICA and the industry’s largest group, The Monument Builders of North America (MBNA). Fourth generations, Claudia and Pat Brown, contributed equally. Claudia was the first female president of the AICA. Pat was an innovator of contemporary product lines and one of the first to directly import from quarries overseas.

The company is now led by fifth generations, Will Brown and Bran Oswalt. Will is a 2016 graduate of the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. During college, he worked at one of the state’s largest granite interior businesses which gave him a unique perspective into the stone industry. He has used this experience to implement new production and logistical systems that enable Brown Memorials to provide a better service to clients.

Bran Oswalt, AICA, is the company’s lead designer. He joined the company in 2011, and his creative way of thinking and progressive yet simple design style quickly gained attention across the industry. Today, he is considered by his colleagues to be one of the best memorial designers in practice today. Since 2016, his creative designs have garnered 33 North American design awards, among the highest of any practicing memorial designer.

The Design

Elegant Memorials do not exist by mere happenstance. They are the product of much forethought and planning by a designer & team with extensive experience and often innate good taste.

Each design is as an opportunity to tell a unique story. A story told through symbolic ornament and architectural form, which can be contemporary or classical, and represents the client’s values, personality and tastes.

In addition to an ability to design high-end, one-of-a-kind, custom family and estate monuments, we have curated a Classic Monument Archive™ of over 200 classically designed monuments that date back to the turn of the 20th century - available exclusively to our clients.

The Material

While granite and marble are quarried all over the world, only a small percentage meets memorial grade standards. Since a memorial is built to last for centuries, only the choicest of materials will do.

The owners have personally traveled to quarries all over the world to find the best quality stone. We source stone directly from the U.S., Canada, Italy, Africa and Asia.

There exists a beautiful spectrum of stone colors in which to choose. During the planning process, we will recommend the best source to achieve the design.

Materials other than stone are often incorporated into memorial design. Bronze, glass, and steel are durable and can accentuate and even elevate a design.

The Craft

When you’ve been in the monument industry as long as we have, you hear a lot of stories. One story that we often hear is that the quality and detail of work that was done a century ago can no longer be produced. This is simply not true. If anything, we have more capabilities now than we did a century ago. Brown Memorials is among the few who still practices the true craft of memorial design.

We employ a network of skilled artisans from around the world, and regularly collaborate with some of the world’s best artisans and sculptors. We take great pride in producing what others say cannot be done.

The Promise

Brown Memorials is dedicated to complete client satisfaction. We will make no sacrifice on the quality of materials or attention that is paid to details. We will deliver an exceptional product every time, and will be transparent in all communications and fair in all dealings.

A company’s longevity means something. Not only have we stood behind our work since 1908, but we will continue to practice and be present well into the future. Should an issue ever arise, Brown Memorials will be readily available to serve you and find a solution.