Not knowing him, I wouldn't want to propose an epitath. But as an old stonesetter -- he deserves a good one. Rock of Ages is a good brand, as are Georgia Pink, Georgia Gray, Swedish black and Barre granites. Mahogany is okay; you can't afford Minnesota red or black. Look for close "grain" and forget ones with multicolored streaks. And get one that's well-blasted -- I don't trust the new laser carving to last very long. One way to tell a good stonecutter is to ask if s/he can do shape carving -- if they say "yes" ask to see a sample (shape carving is what gives curves to sandblasted leaves and makes them three-dimensional).

Good folk folks deserve good stones.