Before You Order a Granite Memorial
- Jeff Nelson
- Aug 3
- 5 min read
Stories Etched in Stone – Article 7
Understanding your choices before making a lasting decision.
“Every life is unique. We believe every memorial should be, too.”
Welcome
An elderly couple recently came to Bolt Laserworks looking for traditional headstones for their family plot. They wanted one for themselves and additional stones for their children. Before visiting us, they had spoken with several monument companies and had been quoted delivery times of six to twelve months. They came to us hoping we might offer a quicker option.
We searched several granite distributors and located stones they liked that were available for immediate shipment to our shop. From the time they placed their order until their custom headstones were completed and set in the cemetery was forty-five days. Happily, the entire project - including the custom-etched gravestones, delivery and set-up in cemetery - also cost less than the other estimates they had received.
Their experience is a good reminder that families should compare more than the price and appearance of a memorial. Availability, turnaround time, design approval, delivery, installation, and total cost can all make a meaningful difference.
Understanding the Choices
Most families are unfamiliar with purchasing a headstone or granite memorial. A little knowledge of the basics can make the process easier to navigate. Choices may include monument types, shapes and styles, design and etching options, placement and installation, and cemetery regulations.
A good memorial company should explain the differences and help narrow the choices step by step. Catalogs, photographs, samples, and input from family members can all help when exploring the possibilities.
Ask About Availability and Timing
Surprisingly, it is not unusual for monument companies to quote delivery and setting times of six to twelve months. There may be several reasons, including stone availability, production schedules, shipping, installation schedules, and weather.
Some companies may consolidate individual orders into larger shipments to reduce the high cost of transporting large, heavy granite pieces, creating longer delivery times. Other companies, including Bolt Laserworks, improve efficiency in other parts of the process so they can obtain immediately available stones from distributors, even when faster shipping costs more.
In northern states, cold weather and frozen ground can delay foundation preparation and final installation.
Useful questions include:
How long will the entire process take?
Is the desired stone currently in stock or available from a distributor?
How quickly can the stone be delivered to the shop?
Can the company provide a design proof for review and allow requested changes before production?
How soon after approval will the memorial be completed?
When can delivery and cemetery installation be scheduled?
Are third-party contractors involved who could significantly affect the schedule?
Be open to the possibility that a similar - or even preferred - stone may already be available and could be completed much sooner.
Know What the Price Includes
Be aware of hidden or add-on costs. When comparing estimates, make sure each one includes the same products and services. A quoted price may cover only the granite and its lettering or design. Delivery, foundation work, cemetery fees, and installation may be additional.
For a traditional headstone, grave marker, or larger monument, ask:
Is cemetery delivery included?
Who coordinates with the cemetery?
Are the foundation and installation included?
Are permits, setting fees, or equipment charges additional?
Who is responsible for paying those fees?
What is the complete installed cost?
A clear written estimate can help families understand what is included and avoid unexpected expenses later.
Check Cemetery Requirements Before Ordering
Before ordering a memorial for cemetery placement, confirm the cemetery’s rules.
Requirements may cover the memorial’s size, granite color, style, base, foundation, placement, design approval, and who is permitted to install it. Two local cemeteries may have very different rules. A glossary of cemetery terms can be found here - https://www.cemetery.com/learning-center/resources-directories/cemetery-terms
Checking first helps prevent the cost and disappointment of ordering a memorial the cemetery will not accept. A memorial company may also be willing to contact the cemetery and confirm the requirements for the family.
Online Memorials and Local Monument Services
Memorials Direct is the online store for Bolt Laserworks. Through the website MemorialsDirect.net, we offer custom granite urns, garden urns, markers, plaques, and small monuments that can be shipped throughout the United States by UPS or FedEx. These smaller memorials are usually placed by the buyer in a home, garden, landscape, or other private setting.
Larger traditional headstones and monuments require specialized transportation, foundation preparation, and installation. Bolt Laserworks currently offers these products locally in Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana.
Families interested in a larger headstone or monument are encouraged to contact us at Bolt Laserworks directly for more information and make an appointment to visit our shop in Cassopolis, Michigan.
Q&A: Can I Buy a Simple Headstone and Install It Myself?
In a cemetery, probably not. Many cemeteries require headstones and grave markers to be installed by cemetery personnel or an approved monument installer. Before placing any memorial in a cemetery, always confirm the cemetery’s rules.
For cemeteries that do allow family installation, the foundation must be prepared correctly. The weight of larger granite memorials must also be taken seriously. Even a simple headstone can be extremely heavy. Before attempting installation, consider whether you have suitable transportation, proper lifting equipment, experienced help, and the ability to safely prepare, position, and level the stone.
Garden urns, garden markers, and small memorials are different. These are usually designed to be placed by the buyer on firm, stable, and level ground. Preparing a base of paving bricks, concrete, or compacted crushed stone can help keep the memorial straight and stable.
Before You Order a Granite Memorial
Before ordering a granite memorial, take time to understand the complete process.
Ask whether the desired stone is available, how long the project is expected to take, whether a design proof will be provided, what the cemetery requires, who will handle delivery and installation, and what the total cost will be.
A clear conversation and a company willing to search for practical solutions can make the process easier - and may help a family receive the right memorial sooner than expected, and possibly at a better price.
A Note From Jeff
Most families begin without knowing monument terminology, cemetery rules, or which questions to ask. That is completely understandable. Our role is to explain the choices, search for practical options, and help families make decisions they will be comfortable with.
If you have a question you would like us to answer in a future Stories Etched in Stone article, we invite you to contact us. Your question may help another family facing the same unfamiliar decisions.
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