Headstones have long been a meaningful way to honor the memory of loved ones who have passed, each one serving as a unique symbol to a life well lived. Beyond being a place for family and friends to pay their respects, they stand as lasting symbols of love and remembrance.
With intricate details and designs, creating and ordering a headstone can be a detailed process. When working with a memorial provider, discussing size, shape and other variables can contribute to the five-step process of creating a lasting tribute for your loved one. You can design and order a headstone in less than two hours or in a couple of sessions if you need time to navigate your grief.
Below, we highlight the step-by-step process of ordering and creating a headstone for your loved one.
Step 1: Meet With a Stoneworking Professional
The first step of the headstone ordering process is contacting your chosen memorial provider to set up a consultation. While many families want to wait to design a memorial, others choose to design right away. Either way, we are available to assist your family whenever you are ready.
- Help you navigate the diverse headstone design options that may seem overwhelming to look at on your own.
- Understand your needs and design a headstone that best reflects your loved one.
- Answer any questions you may have about the headstone creation process.
You'll work with our specialists as they guide you through the design process, offering you hundreds of options to capture your loved one's interests. If this is something that has become too much, you're welcome to come back. It can be overwhelming for people who come in and sometimes they don't anticipate all of the emotions.
Step 2: Determine Headstone Design Elements
You can start choosing design elements with a Memorial Specialist right away. These elements are what truly make any memorial special and can include the following:
- Size and shape: Memorials can come in a variety of sizes from lawn-level to upright monuments with unique shapes to large mausoleums.
- Granite color: There are several granite colors to choose from, such as aurora red, bahama blue, coral rose and more. However, common colors like mountain rose and barre gray are most likely to be available.
- Lettering: Engraving and etching methods are used to capture different fonts and lettering appearance on granite.
- Symbols or images: To personalize your loved one’s headstone in a more unique way, you can include photos or symbols such as books or crosses to represent their passions and interests.
You work with Memorial Specialist in real time to design the mockup on the same day. You can finalize it that day or take it home and view it with your family then think about what you want to do.
Step 3: Final Approval
Making sure we have your final approval is very important. Once it's set in stone, there's no erasing or changing it, so it's important to be comfortable and happy with what you selected. We want to make sure everything is accurate and what you had in mind.
After finalizing the headstone design, you will work with us on completing the required paperwork, such as cemetery documents, signatures, payments, and optional photos. We make sure to advocate for you throughout the process while working with the cemetery. Your Memorial Specialist will work with you during this time to make sure we have everything we need.
Step 4: Headstone Production
Once the documents are complete, we will begin producing your loved one’s headstone, which can include sandblasting, engraving, cutting and any custom add-ons.
We want to make sure everything is correct which is why memorials take between 6 to 12 weeks to produce on average. Custom monuments could take up to 6 to 8 months. Working with your Memorial Specialist can help you understand your specific timeline.
Step 5: Headstone Installation
Your Monument Provider will work closely with your loved one’s cemetery to ensure a smooth experience. At this time, we are working with the cemetery to make sure the memorial foundation has been poured. Once we receive confirmation, your memorial will be scheduled for delivery and installation, weather-permitting.
Ready to Create a Meaningful Headstone for Your Loved One?
When choosing a headstone that represents your loved one, the designs, location and other factors may feel overwhelming. As a trusted memorial provider, our Memorial Specialists are here to help through every step of the memorial process. Contact the Milano Monuments team to schedule an appointment and create a personalized headstone to honor your loved one.
