Free guide
The Headstone Buying Checklist
Eight things to check before you pay, so you never overpay for a memorial. No email required, nothing to sign up for.
- 1
Ask if engraving is included, or charged per letter
Local dealers often charge $15-18 per letter beyond the basic name and dates. A short epitaph can add hundreds. Get the per-letter rate in writing before you commit to anything.
- 2
Confirm the total, not the sticker price
Ask about cemetery setting fees (typically $150 to $400), foundation costs, delivery, and sales tax. The headline price is rarely what you pay.
- 3
Choose a flat marker unless your cemetery requires otherwise
Flat markers cost less to make, less to ship, and less to set. Many cemeteries only permit flat markers in newer sections anyway, so ask before you fall in love with an upright.
- 4
Stick to a standard size
A 28x16x3in flat granite marker is widely accepted and cheaper than a custom cut. Confirm your cemetery accepts it before ordering, whoever you buy from.
- 5
Compare gray against black granite
Gray granite is durable and usually the most affordable option. Black gives higher contrast on the lettering. Neither is more weatherproof than the other.
- 6
Confirm the shipping is insured, and who is liable
A crated marker weighs about 150 lb. Ask what happens if it arrives damaged, who files the claim, and how long you have to report it.
- 7
Get a digital proof before engraving begins
Granite cannot be un-engraved. Insist on seeing a proof, and on revisions until you approve it. Check every date and the spelling of every name yourself.
- 8
Check the payment options
Interest-free instalments can matter a great deal if you are managing funeral costs at the same time. Ask before you are at the payment screen.
How SilkStone answers its own checklist
- Engraving of names, dates, an epitaph and one standard design is included free. There is no per-letter charge.
- Markers start at $699. Shipping is free and fully insured. Sales tax is added at checkout, and cemetery setting fees are charged by the cemetery wherever you buy.
- One size, 28x16x3in, which is one of the most commonly accepted flat marker sizes in US cemeteries.
- A digital proof before any engraving, with unlimited revisions until you approve it.
- Production takes 4-8 weeks from the day you approve your digital proof, with free insured shipping on top.