When we think of memorials, we often picture benches, plaques, or statues. While those are meaningful, they’re also passive. At Stone Age Concrete Games, we’ve seen families and communities create something more dynamic—joyful memorials that celebrate life through play. By choosing concrete ping pong tables, cornhole boards, commemorative chess tables or concrete shuffleboard tables as memorials, people honor their loved ones with living tributes that bring connection, laughter, and longevity.
A concrete memorial is not only built to last for generations—it reflects the spirit of the person remembered, whether through their favorite game or their general love of playfulness.
Malia’s Table: A Memorial of Awareness and Joy
One of the most moving projects we’ve created is known as Malia’s Table. Melia’s parents wanted a memorial that wasn’t just a marker, but a way to bring joy to her classmates every day. They commissioned a custom concrete ping pong table with legs cast in the shape of a cancer ribbon
This design turned the table into both a memorial to their daughter and a symbol of cancer awareness. Every time students play at that table, they’re reminded of Melia’s courage and love, while also experiencing laughter, connection, and fun. It’s a perfect example of how a memorial ping pong table can keep memory alive through play.
Remembering Vern: Cornhole, Adventure, and Friendship
Some memorials spring from the games themselves. Fourteen years ago, our friend Vern Nelson introduced us to cornhole—an act that became a cornerstone of our entire business. Vern was a guide, an adventurer, and someone who believed in the joy of community play.
He once dragged a set of cornhole boards all the way to McCarthy, Alaska, where we ended up in a dusty “Western showdown” match with a Dutch tour group on the main street, outside the town’s only saloon. That story perfectly captures Vern’s playful spirit.
When Vern passed while exploring Patagonia, his partner Shanti wanted a joyful memorial that reflected who he was. Together, we donated a set of concrete cornhole boards to his favorite brewery. Now, Vern’s friends gather there often, remembering him with laughter, competition, and camaraderie—just the way he lived.
Commemorative Chess Tables: Quiet Memorials with Lasting Impact
Not all memorials are tied to a single dramatic story. Many families and communities choose concrete chess tables with plaques as a way to honor loved ones. These commemorative memorial tables are often installed in parks, schools, or plazas, where they invite strangers and friends alike to sit down, connect, and reflect.
Not all memorials are tied to a single dramatic story. Many families and communities choose concrete chess tables with plaques as a way to honor loved ones. These commemorative memorial tables are often installed in parks, schools, or plazas, where they invite strangers and friends alike to sit down, connect, and reflect.
Each plaque tells the story of the person being honored, while the table itself ensures their legacy is experienced daily through the quiet focus and joy of play.
Why Choose a Concrete Memorial?
Concrete game tables work as memorials because they are both lasting and living:
- Joyful memorials: They don’t just mark a name—they create a place where joy happens every day.
- Spirit-reflecting: Whether it’s ping pong, chess, or cornhole, or concrete shuffleboard the game chosen reflects the loved one’s personality and passions.
- Community-centered: A concrete memorial table naturally draws people together, making the memory part of shared experience.
- Built to last: Concrete means permanence. These memorials endure for generations, just like the stories behind them.
- Customizable: With plaques, engraved designs, or custom shapes like the cancer-ribbon legs of Melia’s Table, families can make each memorial deeply personal.
Memorials that Carry Joy Forward
At Stone Age Concrete Games, we believe that play is one of the most powerful ways to honor a life. Each time a chess piece is moved, a cornhole bag is tossed, or a paddle swings across a ping pong table, memories come alive.
These joyful memorials are not just about remembering—they’re about continuing the story of the person in a way that uplifts everyone who encounters it.