Do I need cemetery approval before ordering a headstone online?

Yes, always check first. Cemeteries can require specific sizes, materials, and foundation specifications, and some restrict which vendors may install on their grounds. Get the requirements in writing before you order from anyone.

How does installation work if I order a headstone online?

Most direct sellers ship the finished stone to you or the cemetery; installation (the foundation and setting) is typically handled separately by the cemetery or a local monument-setting company, and billed separately, commonly $100 to $500.

How long does it take to receive a headstone ordered online?

Production and shipping commonly take 4 to 12 weeks depending on customization, material, and the retailer, longer than an in-person funeral-home order in some cases, so plan ahead if there's a memorial date to hit.

What measurements does the cemetery need from me?

Usually the plot's maximum allowed marker dimensions (length, width, thickness) and whether it must be flat or can be upright. The cemetery office has this on file for your specific plot.

Guides · verified July 2026

How to Buy a Headstone Direct and Save 30-60%

Skipping the funeral-home or on-site monument dealer commonly saves 30 to 60 percent on the same granite. It takes a phone call, a measurement, and about ten extra minutes of ordering online instead of in person.

Step 1: Call your cemetery first

Before you shop anywhere, ask the cemetery office for its monument specifications, maximum size, allowed materials, base requirements, and whether outside vendors can install. Get it in writing. Cemeteries can restrict all of this, and finding out after you've ordered is the single most common expensive mistake in this process. Specifically, ask for the plot's maximum allowed marker dimensions, length, width, and thickness, and whether the plot requires a flat marker or allows an upright stone; the cemetery office has this on file for your exact plot, not just a general policy.

A close-up of a tape measure showing inch and centimeter markings — Confirm your plot's exact size allowance before ordering, not after.

Step 2: Compare direct-to-consumer sellers

Once you know your cemetery's rules, compare a couple of direct sellers for the same material and size:

Legacy Headstones starting at $199, with design and engraving included.
ClearStream Monuments mid-range to premium, with engraving, shipping, and a warranty included.

See the full price breakdown by type and material in our headstone cost guide.

A person browsing a shopping website on a laptop at home — Ordering online takes about the same time as an in-person consultation, without the sales pressure.

Step 3: Order, then arrange installation separately

Direct sellers typically ship the finished stone to you or directly to the cemetery. Installation, the foundation and setting, is usually a separate step handled by the cemetery or a local monument-setting company, and billed separately (commonly $100 to $500). Confirm who's doing that before the stone arrives, so it isn't sitting in a driveway.

Delivery packages stacked at a front door — Most direct sellers ship the finished stone to you or the cemetery.

Timing to plan around

Production and shipping commonly take 4 to 12 weeks depending on customization and material, longer than some in-person funeral-home orders. If there's a memorial or unveiling date to hit, order with that lead time in mind.