At some point after the funeral — maybe a week, maybe a month — someone in the family asks the question out loud. "What about the headstone?" And suddenly a decision that felt distant becomes immediate.
It's one of the most common questions families ask, and one of the least clearly answered. The truth is there's no single number — but there is a real sequence of steps, and knowing them changes everything about how you plan.
The Process Isn't One Step — It's Six
Most people imagine ordering a headstone the way you'd order furniture. You pick it, pay for it, and wait for delivery. The reality is more layered — and understanding each stage keeps you from being blindsided by delays that aren't anyone's fault.
1. Design consultation. This is where it starts — choosing the stone, the style, the inscription, the artwork. For some families it takes one conversation. For others, especially when siblings are involved or the design is personal, it takes a few rounds.
2. Proof approval. Before anything is cut into stone, you'll receive a design proof to review and sign off on. This step protects you. Read it carefully — names, dates, spellings. How quickly this moves depends on how quickly your family can align and respond.
3. Production. Once approved, the stone goes into production — sandblasting, engraving, finishing. A standard memorial can be ready in as little as a week or two from approval. More involved designs with portraits, shaped stones, or intricate artwork take longer. We'll give you a realistic window before you commit.
4. Cemetery permit and scheduling. Most cemeteries require a permit before installation. Some have specific installation windows — certain days of the week, or spring through fall only. This step is largely out of anyone's hands and can add a week or two.
5. Foundation prep. Upright monuments typically require a concrete foundation to be poured and cured before the stone is set. This adds time, and in Kansas winters, frozen ground can push this step further.
6. Installation. The stone is delivered and placed. Weather matters here — particularly between December and February when ground conditions in Kansas can cause delays.
So How Long Does It Actually Take?
From first conversation to stone in the ground, timelines vary more than most people expect — and they're often shorter than families fear. Some straightforward memorials are completed and installed within a few weeks. Most land around a month when everything moves smoothly. Custom work with detailed artwork or shaped designs takes longer.
The biggest variable isn't production — it's the gaps between steps. An unsigned proof sitting in someone's inbox for two weeks, a family that needs more time to align on a design, a cemetery with a backlog. Those pauses are where a four-week process becomes an eight-week one.
What Slows a Headstone Down — and What Speeds It Up
Most delays come down to one of these:
Delayed proof approval — the design sits unsigned while family members discuss or disagree
Complex custom artwork — portraits and shaped stones require more production time than simple inscriptions
Cemetery backlogs — some cemeteries have limited installation crews and a long queue
Seasonal ground conditions — frozen or waterlogged soil in Kansas winters can halt outdoor installation entirely
The fastest route through the process: have your decisions made before your first call. Know the cemetery's requirements in advance. Respond to the proof quickly. None of this rushes the craftspeople — it just removes the waiting that happens between steps.
Does Custom Work Take Longer?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the full process take, start to finish?
It depends on the design and the cemetery. Simple memorials can be completed and installed in a few weeks. Most land around a month when things move smoothly. Custom work or winter installations can take longer. We'll give you a specific estimate after your first conversation.
What causes the most delays?
Usually it's the proof approval step — the design sitting unsigned while family members align. Cemetery scheduling and seasonal ground conditions are the other common factors. Production itself is rarely the bottleneck.
Do I have to wait until after the funeral to order?
No. Many families start the process before or shortly after the service. There's no rule that the headstone has to be in place by the funeral, and no reputable provider will pressure you on timing.
What if I need it by a specific date?
Tell us early. We'll be honest about whether the timeline is achievable and what design choices give you the best chance of hitting it.
Do you handle cemetery coordination?
Yes. We deal directly with the cemetery — permits, scheduling, installation requirements. You don't have to manage that piece.
Starting the Process Is the Hardest Part
How long a headstone takes depends more on the decisions made in the first two weeks than anything that happens in production. The stone itself takes as long as it takes. The waiting that stretches a process out usually happens in the gaps — the unsigned proof, the unanswered question, the family member who needed more time.
Legacy Stonework & Monument walks families through every stage, from the first design conversation to the day the stone is set. If you have a date in mind or a question you haven't asked yet, that's exactly where to start.
Questions about timing or the process? Call or text: 316-670-6350 vincent@legacymonumentks.com |