Identify the exact place

Have the cemetery name, section, and grave or niche reference ready. Ask the office to confirm that the specifications they send apply to that location and to the type of memorial being considered. Keep the written answer with the purchase paperwork.

Ask separately about the stone or plaque, any base, and the foundation. A measurement without those labels can lead to an expensive misunderstanding. Request a drawing if the measurement direction or an exception is unclear.

  • Which styles, materials, colors, and dimensions are permitted in this section?
  • Do the dimensions describe the visible memorial, the base, the foundation, or the complete installation?
  • Who approves the design and inscription, and who must sign the application?
  • May an outside maker supply it, and who is allowed to install it?

Compare the complete installed cost

Ask the maker and cemetery to identify who supplies each part and who bills for it. Your comparison should make unanswered questions visible: delivery, receiving, foundation, installation, approvals, and any continuing charges. Ask what happens if the approved design changes before production.

For eligible Veterans, a VA-provided marker may be an option. The VA explains that private cemeteries may still charge for setting, placement, maintenance, or other services. Confirm eligibility and the cemetery’s requirements before assuming the arrangement has no cost. VA: burial in a private cemetery

Get the approval and timing in writing

Ask for a copy of the approved design and inscription before production. Have someone check names, spelling, dates, and measurements against the family’s records. Record who will receive the memorial and arrange installation.

Keep a desired date separate from a maker’s estimate and a cemetery’s confirmed appointment. Ask which approvals or site conditions affect installation; do not assume one waiting period applies to every cemetery.

The FTC Funeral Rule does not apply to independent monument dealers or cemeteries without an on-site funeral home. Ask those businesses directly for their written prices and terms. FTC: your rights under the Funeral Rule

Put it into practice

Your next step

Keep your questions on the call sheet

Use the free worksheet to keep your questions and answers together.

Sources and scope

This is general U.S. planning guidance. Questions and organization tips are suggestions; confirm requirements for your particular arrangements with the responsible provider or agency.