Need help making a roadside memmorial cross?

Question

I want to make a roadside memorial cross for my dad who has passed away almost 2 years ago. First off, what dimensions should the cross be? Secondly, I want to glue pictures on the cross also. What kind of glue would I use? And also I want to put some kind of sealent on top of the pictures and entire cross to give it a glass appearance and also to seal it completely in. Any suggestions? I need to have this doen within 2 weeks. Thank You!

Answer 1

i would go about 3 feet tall and the arm fot and half i would put the are 9 inch from the top you are going to put about a foot under ground i would then use 1/2in or 3/4in bye 1 1/2in next center the arms and then naile paint white and decorate it

Answer 2

I'm sorry to here the news.

This all depends on your local 'Right of way' laws.

In many states it is illegal to erect a roadside memorial of any size, the state transportation department will eventually remove it. It's illegal due to a variety of reasons.

Have you looked into the adopt a highway program in your area in memory of your father?

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-adopt...

Other than that I would rather not mention any dimensions since I don't know the laws in your area. You can paint the wood cross with outdoor high gloss paint or a stain(used on homes) as far as protecting the photo? You might be able to either spray a shellac over it or go to a Kinko's and have it laminated in the stiff plastic.

Good luck

Answer 3

There are some nice ones on this site.  Please keep in mind that if it is on a interstate the highway police will most likely take it down.

Another suggestion is if you have a yard is to make a memorial in your yard so that you can pay your respects there as often as you like.

On the news a couple of months ago in Tennessee they had a warning not to put them up because they would be taken down due to distracting drivers.

http://roadsidecrosses.net/product.htm

Answer 4

Certainly all should feel sadness for your loss. To do what you suggests we have to assume is the way he died and where?

   Many townships/counties, support this kind of gesture, even to financing it in some cases. If in fact your father died in such a manner it might benefit you to inquire. Without some notification, or response in recognition, your efforts might be in vain?

   The materials and method, certainly might depend on a budget, and level of skills. In this case, it can be as simple as exterior plywood, probably within an acceptable size limit, and the pictures MIGHT be OK clear coated with Polyurethane, though I suggest you test that first on a picture you don't care much about, to see how the picture reacts to any glue or clear coat.

   I also suggest you have additional copies of the images to actually Keep, and realize that the memorial, while a loving gesture, will not strictly last eternally, in the elements.

Just my 2 "sense"

Answer 5

First, let me say that I am sorry for the loss of your father.

Roadside memorials are usually placed on the side of a road

( or highway, freeway, bridge, etc.) for those who were killed

in a traffic accident at that site. Memorials are also sometimes

set up outside or next to a place someone has been murdered

or died suddenly but recently.

Answer 6

There is a cross for a young girl who was killed in a car accident in the town I grew up in.  Her mother used an 11x14 picture frame and made a collage of photos and then hung it around the cross.  To this day you can still see the photos clearly.

As for the size...it is your choice, but make sure that the county you live in has no problem with the size.  You can contact the highway department for that information.  

You'll probably need to varnish the entire thing for the glass look.