FAQ’s

A headstone is an upright stone monument placed at the head of a grave. 

A grave marker is typically flat and set level with the ground. 

Both memorialize and identify the person buried there, but the right choice depends on the cemetery’s regulations, your family’s preferences, and the level of personalization you want. 

Some cemeteries only permit flat markers, so it’s worth confirming requirements before making any decisions. A memorial consultant can check those regulations for you.

Start by checking with the cemetery about any restrictions on size, type, or material, since some only allow flat markers. 

From there, think about what would feel most meaningful to your family: the style, any symbols, artwork, or an inscription that reflects who your loved one was. 

You don’t need to have it figured out before your first conversation. A memorial consultant will walk you through every option, help you visualize the design before anything is finalized, and handle the coordination with the cemetery so you don’t have to.

Most memorials include the person’s full name, birth and death dates, and a short inscription. Common choices are a meaningful quote, a line from a prayer or poem, a simple phrase like “Beloved Father” or “Forever in Our Hearts,” or a symbol that reflects their faith, passions, or personality. There is no single right way to create a memorial. If you’re not sure where to start, a memorial consultant can share what other families have chosen and help you find words that feel right, without pressure.

Yes. Portraits, custom artwork, symbols, and personalized imagery can all be incorporated into a memorial. This is one of the most meaningful ways families choose to personalize a stone — a photograph preserved in porcelain, an engraving of a favorite landscape, a hobby, a symbol, or something that was uniquely theirs.

Your memorial consultant will walk you through what’s possible and show you examples so you can make choices that feel right for your family.

Every cemetery operates by its own set of rules, often called monument regulations or memorial guidelines. These can restrict the size, material, style, or type of memorial allowed in a specific section. Some cemeteries only permit flat markers. Others have requirements around foundation type, granite color, or maximum height.

These regulations apply to every memorial regardless of who placed the order. Ignoring them can result in delays, required modifications, or a memorial being rejected after it’s already been created. 

Sunburst handles all of this on your behalf. Your consultant verifies the cemetery’s requirements before anything is finalized, so there are no surprises.

Yes. Sunburst coordinates directly with the cemetery on your behalf, including submitting the memorial design for approval and confirming it meets all applicable regulations. You don’t need to manage that communication yourself. We take care of it from design through installation.

Typically, a headstone takes about 8 to 12 weeks to create once the design is finalized. More detailed or custom work can take a bit longer. If the granite is sourced from overseas, the timeline is longer — typically around 7 to 9 months — because of international shipping and production steps. We will let you know upfront if the stone you choose falls into that category.

For in-stock granite, the process typically takes about three months. Domestic granite (sourced from U.S. quarries) generally runs around four months. International granite, from places like India, Norway, Canada, or Africa, can take up to seven months, since the stone must be quarried, shipped overseas, arrive at port, and be transported before fabrication can begin.

After that, installation timing depends on the cemetery and the weather — especially in Michigan, where winter can delay setting foundations. We coordinate everything with the cemetery and keep you informed throughout the process.

No. The burial can take place before the memorial is installed — and in most cases, it does. 

Because memorials take three to seven months depending on granite origin and design complexity, it’s common for families to hold services first and have the memorial placed afterward. 

The cemetery’s caretaker can prepare the burial site without the monument in place.

Families are not notified in advance of the installation date, as placement is scheduled and coordinated directly with the cemetery by our professional setting team. 

However, you will be notified as soon as the setting is confirmed complete, at which point you’re welcome to visit the site.

No. For liability reasons, Sunburst installs only memorials we have fabricated. We are not able to set monuments from other manufacturers.

Most cemeteries require that a trained, insured professional handle all memorial placements, and we recommend following that guidance. If a cemetery permits self-installation and you choose to proceed, be aware that doing so voids the warranty on the memorial.

Sunburst sources granite from quarries around the world, including the United States, Canada, India, Norway, and Africa. Different quarries produce different colors, textures, and characteristics, which is part of what makes each memorial distinct.

When a specific granite is no longer available (some quarries have closed over the years), our experience allows us to identify the closest match so your memorial maintains the look your family envisioned.

No. While we always enjoy meeting families face-to-face, an in-person visit is not required. We work with families by phone, email, and text throughout the entire process. Design proofs are shared electronically, revisions can be reviewed remotely, and signatures are completed digitally.

We regularly assist families from out of town, out of state, and occasionally from outside the country, with the same level of care and attention at every step.

Yes. Sunburst offers a range of accessories to complement and personalize both new and existing memorials, including granite and aluminum flower vases, canister-style vases, bronze accessories, porcelain photographs, and memorial coins. Your consultant can walk you through what’s available and help you find options that fit your family’s vision.

In addition to headstones and grave markers, Sunburst creates a wide range of memorial and recognition products: veteran memorials, bronze markers, columbariums, statues, mausoleums, pet markers, benches, garden stones, business signage, and memorial coins.

We also provide releveling and repair services and professional cleaning for existing memorials. If you have a specific need, ask your consultant; there’s a good chance we can help.

No. The memorial conversation does not end with the cremation.

Cremation is how the body is cared for. A memorial is how the person is remembered. These are separate decisions, and many families come to us after cremation is complete, sometimes weeks or even months later.

Cremated remains can be:

• Buried in a cemetery plot and marked with an upright monument or flat marker
• Placed in a columbarium niche with a bronze plaque
• Honored with a garden stone, bench, or memorial marker with no burial plot required

A consultant can walk you through what is possible. You may have more options than you think.

More options exist than most families expect. Here is what is available for cremation families:

• Upright monuments or flat markers placed over buried cremated remains in a cemetery plot
• Garden stones and benches with no burial required, can be placed in a memorial garden or personal space
• Columbarium niches which are above-ground structures that hold cremation urns, often at a cemetery or chapel, marked with a bronze plaque
• Portrait stones and custom engraved artwork that are just as personalized as a traditional headstone

If you are not sure what fits, a consultant can help you sort through the options.

Yes, and many families find it’s one of the most meaningful things they can do for the people they love. Pre-planning a memorial allows both spouses to have a say in the design and locks in today’s pricing against future increases. It removes a significant decision from your family’s plate during an already difficult time. 

To plan a memorial in advance, you meet with a consultant, design the memorial together, and finalize the details at your own pace. Nothing has to be rushed.

Headstone pricing varies based on the type of stone, size, granite origin, and the level of customization. 

A simple flat marker will cost less than a fully custom upright monument with engraved artwork or a portrait. 

Because most memorials are designed specifically for each family, pricing is typically provided as a custom quote after your consultation. What’s included matters as much as the number. At Sunburst, all engraving and front artwork are included in the price, and your consultant will be upfront about what’s covered so there are no surprises.

Granite is the longest-lasting and most durable material. It resists weather, fading, and cracking better than any other stone. Bronze is also very long-lasting, especially when maintained, but granite requires the least upkeep over time.

No, but the cost can be broken into two payments. A deposit is required to begin production, and the remaining balance is due when the memorial is set in the cemetery.

Yes. Most headstones — especially granite ones — can be updated after installation. Common updates include adding a date of passing, adding a second name on a companion stone, or adding an inscription.

We bring the engraving equipment to the cemetery or, in some cases, bring the stone back to the shop. Either way, we make sure the new lettering matches the original size, depth, and style.

The engraving is cut directly into the granite, so it lasts for generations. It will not fade or disappear. Over many years, weather can gently soften the edges, but the lettering remains clear and readable. Granite is one of the most durable materials available, which is why it is the standard for long-lasting memorials.