How long does it take to get a headstone installed?

Jennifer Beer
Mar 6
3 min read

In today’s world of fast shipping and next-day delivery, many families are surprised to learn that a headstone can take several months to complete and install at the cemetery. A common question we hear is:

“Why does it take so long to get a headstone?”

The answer is that memorials are not mass-produced items. Headstones are custom pieces of craftsmanship, carefully designed and created to honor a loved one. From design to installation, several important steps take place along the way.

Understanding this process can help families know what to expect when ordering a monument.

Step 1: Designing the Headstone

The first step in the process is selecting the design, granite color, artwork, and layout for the monument.

Once the design is chosen, a formal proof is created for the family to review and approve. This proof may involve:

Editing and enhancing photographs
Creating custom artwork or graphics
Adjusting lettering styles and layout
Making revisions based on family feedback

Because every monument is unique, this design phase typically takes one to four weeks, depending on the complexity of the memorial.

Monument proof design on computer — Design Layout, Photo Editing for Monument

Step 2: Headstone Production

Our partner laser etching machine in Ohio — Monument Laser Etching

Our partner sandblast facility in Ohio — Sandblast Production

If the family selects a granite monument that is already in stock, the stone enters the production queue at our production facility.

Production time varies depending on the season and current workload. Typically, this step can take two weeks to two months.

Many headstones require multiple production processes, including:

Sandblasting for lettering and designs
Laser etching for portraits and detailed artwork
Hand carving for custom shapes or decorative elements
Installing porcelain portraits

Because these steps use different equipment and often involve skilled handwork, the process requires time and careful attention to detail.

Step 3: Custom Granite Orders

If the monument is not in stock, it may need to be specially cut and polished at a granite quarry before being shipped.

Many granite memorials come from quarries located in countries such as:

India
China
South Africa
Cambodia

Worker hand tooling a granite headstone. — Worker hand tooling a granite headstone

Once cut and polished, the granite is placed into shipping containers that depart when full. These shipments travel by sea for several weeks before arriving at a U.S. port.

After arriving, the stone must pass through customs inspections and tariff processing before being transported to our production facility.

From quarry to production shop, this process typically takes 4–6 months.

Step 4: Cemetery Foundation Requirements

Before a headstone can be installed, a concrete foundation must be poured at the cemetery.

Here in Northern Indiana, these foundations extend 24–30 inches below the ground to provide long-term stability and prevent shifting with our winter frost heaves.

Concrete foundations are usually installed between April and November, depending on weather conditions. Rain, freezing temperatures, or early snowfall can delay foundation work.

Additionally, some cemeteries schedule foundation pours only a few times each year or use their own contractors, which can also affect timing.

Step 5: Installing the Headstone

Even when the monument and foundation are ready, installation must wait for safe weather conditions.

Headstones are generally not installed when:

It is raining
Temperatures are below 40°F
The ground is frozen or muddy
Snow is covering the cemetery

This protects the monument, the cemetery grounds, and our workers performing the installation.

In our northern climate, monuments are often not installed between November and April, which can add to the overall wait time.