What To Know Before You Visit Get The Check List Pre-Visit Checklist You are more than welcome to contact Sunburst Memorials at any time. However, there are a few important aspects of memorial selection that are better gathered prior to your first visit with us. • Where will your memorial be? Cemeteries often have specific regulations that are necessary to follow, and each one is different. Choosing your memorial destination is a great place to start. Once selected, please bring your cemetery name to Sunburst Memorials and we can help align the regulations and specification requirements. • Determine desired burial: underground, cremation, mausoleum, etc. Understanding the type of burial will assist in the planning process and ensure the design aligns with your vision. • Seasonal Considerations: Consider seasonal limitations. Weather can significantly impact planning, so accommodating for potential weather conditions is important when planning the memorial. Featured Resources Explore these related articles for more information, tips, and additional planning support. QR Code Memorials: How Memory Coins Work Learn More Memorial Vases: Meaning, Uses and Benefits Learn More Ways to Remember a Loved One Learn More FAQs How do I choose the right headstone for a loved one? 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. How long does it take to create and install a memorial? 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. Can you set up a memorial that was purchased elsewhere? No. For liability reasons, Sunburst installs only memorials we have fabricated. We are not able to set monuments from other manufacturers. Do I need to visit your location in person? 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.