One of the most common questions we receive is about the timeline from placing an order to seeing the finished monument at the cemetery. The honest answer is eight to twelve weeks for most orders, though several factors can shorten or extend this window.
The timeline breaks down into three main phases. The first phase is design and cemetery approval, which typically takes one to three weeks. During this time, you finalize your design, review and approve the proof, and wait for the cemetery to review and approve the design submission. Simple designs with standard specifications may be approved in a matter of days, while complex designs or cemeteries with lengthy review processes may take longer.
The second phase is fabrication, which is the longest part of the process at four to eight weeks. During fabrication, the granite is cut to size, polished, and engraved. The engraving process involves applying a rubber stencil of the design, sandblasting the exposed areas, and then painting or finishing the engraved surfaces. Laser etching for portraits and detailed artwork adds additional time. If your chosen granite color needs to be imported from a foreign quarry, allow an additional two to four weeks for shipping.
The third phase is delivery and installation, which takes one to two weeks. The finished monument is transported to the installation crew serving your cemetery's area. The crew coordinates with the cemetery to schedule the setting appointment, pours the foundation (if not handled by the cemetery), allows cure time, and sets the monument.
Common factors that cause delays include ordering during peak season (March through June), selecting rare or imported granite colors, cemeteries with slow approval processes, weather delays that prevent foundation work, and design changes after fabrication has begun. To minimize delays, finalize your design before submitting the order, choose granite colors that are readily available, and work with a monument company that has established relationships with your cemetery. Providing complete and accurate cemetery information upfront prevents the back-and-forth that slows down the approval process.