Ordering a Grave Marker in Time for Memorial Day
will be upon us in no time. During this holiday a host of festivities
across the country will occur. Parades will be scheduled, sporting
events will take place and families in all corners of the US will
gather to enjoy the three day weekend that is afforded to them. What
started as a day to honor those who died during service in the military
forces has evolved to a day in which we honor anyone close to us who
has passed away.
It is on this day that many families will
visit cemeteries to pay their respects to a loved one. When visiting a
loved one’s grave, it is the grave marker that serves as a focal point
when we communicate our thoughts and feelings to that person. If the
grave space has not yet been marked with a grave marker, now is the
time to make plans to order one (assuming you are reading this at least
3 months from Memorial Day).
Ordering a Grave Marker
The time it takes to manufacture a grave
marker can vary. Many factors come into play such as the company you
are purchasing from, the complexity of the design and the level of
customization. In general, a
standard grave marker or headstone
can take on average about 2-3 months for production and delivery to
the cemetery. Some monument dealers can get it out sooner and some may take
longer, but this is a good estimate.
If you are planning on ordering a grave
marker for placement by Memorial Day, it is best to start early enough
so there is no last minute rushing about to get it delivered and
installed. We recommend the following steps to ensure you have the grave
marker in place by Memorial Day.
1. Check with the Cemetery for Restrictions
Before any grave marker is ordered, you first need to know what
the
cemetery requirements are. You can acquire from their office a copy of the rules and
regulations. Within this document there should be a section stipulating
what material, size and type of grave markers are allowed for
placement on the grave. Also ask them how long they need to install a
grave marker once it is delivered. Some cemeteries can install them
within a few days to a week, but installations can be held up by bad
weather or scheduled burial services, which cemeteries always
prioritize. Make sure to consider the time to
install the grave marker along with the production time a dealer gives
you when deciding how much total time is needed.
2. Consult Family Members about the Grave Marker Options
If you have several family members
involved in this project, meet with them to formulate a general idea of
what kind of grave marker you will be buying. It is best to consider
in advance simple details such as the design theme, personalization, an epitaph and other options such as a cemetery vase or granite color. Having a general idea of what you want will give
you a starting point when shopping around.
3. Meet With Monument Dealers
You can set up meetings with potential monument dealers
to get an idea if they can provide the memorial you want within the
time you need it. Make sure to have any questions you need answered
written and handy when meeting with them. Ask for samples of their
work. If you are considering an online company, you may want to read the
article titled Tips for Buying Head Stones Online.
Whichever company you decide to go with, make sure you get some kind
of assurance that the grave marker will be delivered within the time
they propose.
4. Order the Grave Marker
Once you have all the information needed,
proceed with placing the grave marker on order. Do not spend too much
time mulling over it, especially if you are having family members come
into town to visit to your loved one’s grave. It is best to add at
least 2-4 weeks to the total time you estimate will be needed to
produce, deliver and install the grave marker. This will allow some
additional time for leeway.
|
