Privacy Policy

The Monument Store ("we," "our," or "us"), a division of Gifford Monument Works, is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website at themonumentstore.com, use our services, or interact with us in any way.

We understand that purchasing a monument is a deeply personal experience, and we treat the information you share with us with the utmost care and respect. By using our website and services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Create an account or place an order (name, email address, phone number, billing and shipping address)
• Use our monument design tool (design preferences, inscription text, memorial details)
• Contact us through our website, email, phone, or chat (your message content and contact details)
• Submit cemetery information for installation coordination (cemetery name, location, lot number)
• Provide payment information (processed securely through our third-party payment processor, CSG Forte)

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• Device information (browser type, operating system, device type)
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns)
• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Referring website or search terms that led you to our site

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect this information. See our Cookie section below for more details.

How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Order fulfillment: Processing your monument order, coordinating with cemeteries, managing fabrication and installation
• Customer service: Responding to your inquiries, providing design assistance, and sending order status updates
• Account management: Maintaining your account, saving your designs, and managing your preferences
• Communication: Sending transactional emails (order confirmations, shipping updates) and, with your consent, marketing communications
• Website improvement: Analyzing usage patterns to improve our website, design tools, and customer experience
• Legal compliance: Meeting our legal obligations, resolving disputes, and enforcing our agreements

How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information with the following parties:

• Service providers: Companies that help us operate our business, including payment processors (CSG Forte), email service providers, analytics platforms, and cloud hosting services (Vercel, Supabase)
• Cemeteries: We share necessary information with cemeteries to obtain monument approvals and coordinate installation. This includes monument specifications and lot information.
• Installation crews: Professional installation teams receive necessary details to complete your monument setting, including cemetery location and monument specifications
• Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority
• Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information. These include encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS), secure data storage, access controls, and regular security audits. Payment information is processed through PCI-compliant payment processors and is never stored on our servers.

While we take reasonable measures to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website. These include:

• Essential cookies: Required for the website to function properly, including session management and security
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Functional cookies: Remember your preferences and saved designs

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt out of marketing communications
• Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Object to or restrict certain processing of your data

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@themonumentstore.com or call us at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a revised "Last updated" date. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: