Cemetery & Installation Guide
We ship beautiful black granite memorials across North America every day. Understanding how the placement process works helps families navigate it with confidence — and protects your order from the start.
Below you’ll find everything you need to know: what we handle, what the cemetery handles, and what steps to take before you order.
Important information about our services
Citizen Memorials does not sell, arrange, or provide installation services. While we support families across the US and Canada, all communication with cemeteries and funeral homes is handled only by email or fax — we do not make phone calls to cemeteries or funeral homes on your behalf. All matters of cemetery approval, fees, and installation rest entirely with the family.
Step by step
How Placement Works
Confirm cemetery acceptance before you order
Before placing your order — and before signing your layout proof — it is your responsibility to confirm with your cemetery that they will accept the headstone. Cemeteries vary widely in their requirements for stone dimensions, base type, and allowed finishes. Citizen Memorials designs memorials to meet common cemetery standards, but acceptance is not guaranteed. If a cemetery rejects a headstone, we cannot issue replacements, refunds, or credits.
Approve your layout proof
After your order is placed, our design team sends a photorealistic layout proof to the email address you provided. No order is produced or shipped until you explicitly approve the proof by email. Review every detail — name spelling, dates, artwork, and dimensions — before approving. This step exists to protect your order and ensure the finished stone matches your vision exactly.
We ship your memorial directly to you
Once approved, your headstone is crafted and shipped directly to you — or to an address you specify, such as a funeral home or cemetery office. We ship memorials daily across the United States and Canada. Delivery is freight-based and coordinated so the stone arrives safely; all logistics are handled entirely by us from production to your door.
Arrange installation through your cemetery or a local installer
Installation is always arranged by the family, directly with the cemetery or a local monument installer. Your cemetery typically has approved setters on staff or a short list of approved vendors. Contact them in advance to schedule the placement — some cemeteries charge a setting fee, which is the family's responsibility to coordinate and pay. We can provide documentation about the stone's dimensions and weight to assist the cemetery if needed.
What We Handle vs. What You Arrange
Citizen Memorials handles
- Custom design and photorealistic layout proofs
- All communication about design revisions by email
- Production of the finished granite memorial
- Quality inspection before shipment
- Freight shipping to your door across the US and Canada
- Documentation (dimensions, weight) to assist your cemetery
Family arranges
- Confirming cemetery acceptance before ordering
- Understanding the cemetery's size and base requirements
- Signing the layout proof before production begins
- Coordinating delivery address with the cemetery if needed
- Scheduling installation with the cemetery or local setter
- Paying any cemetery setting fees
Common Questions
Does Citizen Memorials install the headstone?+
No. None of our products include installation performed by us, and we will never accept payment for installation. This process is always managed by your local cemetery or a monument installer of your choosing. Our role is to produce and deliver the highest-quality stone possible.
Will Citizen Memorials contact the cemetery on my behalf?+
We do not make phone calls to cemeteries or funeral homes. If your cemetery requires documentation or has questions, they are welcome to contact us directly by email or fax. All matters of cemetery approval, fees, and installation coordination rest with the family.
What happens if the cemetery rejects the headstone?+
If a cemetery rejects a headstone, Citizen Memorials is not liable. We cannot issue replacements, refunds, or credits for rejected stones. This is why confirming acceptance with your cemetery before purchasing — and before signing your proof — is an essential first step.
Do I need a foundation before installation?+
Foundation requirements vary by cemetery. Some cemeteries pour a concrete foundation before setting the stone; others use concrete bases or require a specific base type. Check with your cemetery for their specific requirements before ordering, so you can confirm that the headstone you select meets their standards.
Ready to begin the design process?
Browse our catalog or contact us — we’ll guide you through every step.