Funeral homes can help families get headstones, but they do not make them. Most funeral homes work with local monument companies and stone carvers. These partnerships let funeral homes offer headstones as part of their services.
Families can choose to buy a headstone through their funeral home. The funeral director will show them design books and stone samples. They can pick the size, shape, color, and material for the marker. The cost gets added to the total funeral bill.
But families don’t have to use the funeral home for their headstone. They can buy straight from a monument company. This choice might save money. Monument companies focus only on headstones, so they have more options.
The funeral home charges extra to handle headstone orders. They mark up the base price from the monument maker. This markup pays for their time and service. The funeral home deals with paperwork and makes sure the stone meets cemetery rules.
Cemeteries have strict rules about headstones. They control the size, style, and material. The funeral home knows these rules. They stop families from buying markers that won’t work. This help can save time and stress.
The timeline matters when buying a headstone. The ground must settle after burial. This takes about six months. Rushing to place a stone can make it sink or tilt. Funeral homes explain this to families.
Some funeral homes stock basic markers. These simple stones cost less. But most headstones get made to order. Custom stones take weeks or months to finish. The funeral home tracks the order and tells families when it will arrive.
Installation is another factor. Some funeral homes put in headstones. Others leave this job to the monument company. The cemetery might do the work. Each choice affects the total price.
Funeral homes also help with temporary markers. These plastic or metal signs mark graves until the real stone arrives. Most funeral homes include temp markers in their basic service fee.
Price ranges for headstones vary. A basic flat marker might cost $1,000. Large, fancy monuments can reach $10,000 or more. Funeral homes should give clear price lists. They must tell families about cheaper options.
The choice of where to buy depends on each family. Funeral homes make the process simple. They handle details and solve problems. But their prices run higher. Direct monument dealers cost less but need more work from the family.
Some funeral homes push their headstone service hard. They might not mention other options. Families should know they can shop around. The funeral home must accept monuments from any seller.
In sum, funeral homes offer headstone services but don’t make the stones. They work as middlemen. This service helps many families but costs extra. Each family can decide if the added cost matches the value of the help they get.
