Resetting a marble government marker

This is one style of government marker available to veterans.  It measures 24X12X4 and is made of marble or granite.   This one is white marble.  It was originally set at full height on a rather shallow foundation....just a precast plate about 3" thick which was deteriorated on top.  The marker had been hit by the mower numerous times and was chipped and stained quite badly.  I removed the old plate....then  powerwashed the marble, let it dry thoroughly,  and reset it flush using a  34X22" form.  This made a cement border that was 5" on all sides.  I dug the hole about 10" deep.    The very top couple inches of the foundation I topped off with a batch of cement quite rich on the cement...it makes it easier to trowel and shape.  Please notice how I have angled the edges of the footing down and rounded off the  corners as the cement was setting up.  This will help reduce mower damage.

This setting will enable the marker to be mowed over, and should be used if the stone is set at the foot of the grave, out of line with the row.  Normally the granite version of this marker is set full height on a foundation capped off with a separate granite plate.