How to Plan a Memorial: 5 Steps Families Should Know

Planning a memorial for someone you love is never just a checklist. It’s a chance to put into lasting form everything that made their life meaningful — and knowing what to expect can make an emotional process feel more manageable.

Below, we walk through the five steps of memorial planning, from choosing a location to the day your headstone is installed at the cemetery.

At a glance, the five steps are:

The 5 Steps to Planning a Memorial

Step 1: Choose a cemetery or memorial location

This comes first for a reason: the cemetery you choose determines the size and type of stone you’re able to have, so it shapes every decision that follows.

Purchasing your plot isn’t required to begin the process, but we highly recommend doing so early, since it needs to be finalized before your stone can be completed. Every cemetery has its own regulations on what’s allowed, and those rules determine what you’re able to select.

When you meet with your memorial consultant (more on that later), they’ll already know the specific requirements for your cemetery and can help you settle on options that fit both the rules and your family’s wishes.

If you’re just starting the planning process, we can even help you find a consultant near the cemetery you’re working with.

Step 2: Reflect on your loved one’s life and legacy

Take time with family to think about what the memorial should say. Consider your loved one’s personality, interests, and the impact they had on others.

Jot down ideas, themes, or symbols that capture what they loved most, such as a:

• Role like parent or grandparent
• Hobby
• Faith tradition
• Military service

These early notes become the foundation for a custom headstone or memorial design that feels personal rather than generic.

Step 3: Meet with a memorial consultant

Once you’re ready, visit one of our locations to meet with a Sunburst Memorials consultant. This single meeting covers everything: color, shape, finish, design, and pricing, all discussed together so you leave with a clear picture of your options.

We’ll walk you through pricing based on the choices you make, so you know what to expect as you go, rather than needing to guess at a budget beforehand.

During this meeting, we’ll also create a design proposal that reflects everything we discussed.

You’ll see renderings so you can visualize the memorial before anything is carved, whether that’s an etched portrait, a veteran emblem, or a custom family design passed down through generations. We review the proposal together and make adjustments until it matches your vision.

This is a collaborative conversation grounded in over 100 years of memorial design experience: we listen, offer guidance, and handle the planning logistics so you can spend that time with family instead.

Step 4: Approve your final design

After your meeting, your ideas go to our design department, where our trained team develops your design in full. Before anything moves to production, we address any remaining questions so you can approve with confidence. 

Once your design and material sections are finalized, we order the stone and add your memorial to our production schedule.

Step 5: We handle the rest

From here, we take care of everything. Your memorial typically takes 3 to 12 months to complete, depending on when your plot is purchased and finalized — and since we don’t set stones during winter months, timing near the end of the year can affect your installation date.

When your memorial is ready, one of our skilled installers sets the stone at the cemetery. We coordinate directly with the cemetery on scheduling, so there’s nothing further you need to manage.

At Sunburst Memorials, we believe every memorial should reflect everything you want to remember about your loved one — a lasting reminder of the moments and memories you created together. Everyone grieves differently, but we hope the memorial you create becomes a place of comfort for your family to return to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Memorial Planning

What are the steps to plan a memorial?

Memorial planning includes choosing a cemetery or location, reflecting on your loved one’s life, meeting with a memorial consultant to finalize design and pricing, approving your final design, and letting your memorial provider handle creation and installation.

How long does it take to create a headstone?

Custom headstones typically take 3 to 12 months to complete, depending on when your cemetery plot is purchased and finalized. Installation timing can also be affected by winter weather, since our team doesn’t set stones during the coldest months.

What should be included on a headstone?

Most headstones include the name, birth and death dates, and a meaningful inscription or epitaph. Many families also add symbols, religious imagery, military service emblems, or custom artwork that reflects the person’s life.

How much does a memorial cost?

Cost depends on the granite you select, the size of the memorial, and the level of customization, such as etching or additional engraving. Since pricing varies so much based on these choices, your consultant will walk you through cost options during your design meeting.

Can I pre-plan my own memorial?

Yes. Many families choose to plan their own memorial in advance, which can ease the emotional and financial burden on loved ones later. Learn more about approaching pre-planning with your family.

Do I need to have a cemetery plot before meeting with a consultant?

Purchasing isn’t required to start the conversation, but it’s highly recommended, since your plot must be purchased before your stone can be finished.

Cemeteries have their own regulations on what they allow, which determines what you’re able to select. Your consultant will know these rules and help you find an option that fits both the requirements and your family’s needs.

What’s the difference between a headstone and other memorial types?

A headstone marks a burial plot, while other memorial options include cremation memorials, mausoleums, veteran memorials, and benches or plaques for a home or public space.

Ready to Start Planning a Memorial?

If you’re ready to begin, our team is here to guide you at every step.