Most families who call us have never done this before. That’s completely normal. Choosing a headstone isn’t something most people have experience with, and the process can feel overwhelming at a moment when you’re already exhausted.
The good news is it’s simpler than it looks.
Start with the Cemetery
Before you think about design, material, or price — call the cemetery. Find out what they allow. Some sections only permit flat markers. Others allow uprights but have height or width restrictions. Some require a concrete foundation. Some have rules about setback from the edge of the plot.
This single phone call eliminates half the decisions for you. Once you know what’s permitted, you’re working with a much shorter list of options.
Stone Type
We work exclusively in granite. It’s not the only material available but it’s the right one — it holds engraving detail cleanly, handles Kansas weather without cracking or fading, and requires almost no maintenance over decades. Marble looks beautiful but it’s softer and weathers faster. Bronze plaques are common in some cemeteries. For most families in this area, granite is what makes sense.
Flat or Upright
If the cemetery allows both, this comes down to personal preference and budget. Flat markers start around $700. Uprights start around $1,200. The upright gives you more surface area for design and is more visible from a distance. The flat marker is simpler, lower maintenance, and works well in sections where all the stones sit at ground level.
Neither is the wrong choice. It depends on what feels right for your family and what fits your situation.
Design and Inscription
This is where most families spend the most time and where we do the most guiding. A few things that help:
Don’t rush this part. The engraving is permanent. Take the time to get the wording right before anything is ordered.
Think about what was true about this person — not what sounds good on a headstone, but what was actually true. The best inscriptions are specific. A date, a name, and one honest line will outlast a paragraph of generic sentiment every time.
Symbols, portraits, religious imagery, custom artwork — all of these are available. We’ll show you what’s possible and let you decide what fits.
What the Process Looks Like with Us
You call or text. We have a conversation — usually about ten minutes. We ask about the cemetery, the person, what you’re thinking. Then we put together a design and send it to you. You can change anything. Nothing goes to production until you’ve approved it.
Most memorials are completed faster than families expect. We give you a realistic timeline upfront and stick to it.
316-670-6350. If you’re not sure where to start, that’s exactly why we’re here.
CALL TO ACTION
Not sure where to begin? Call or text Legacy Stonework & Monument at 316-670-6350. Most first conversations take about ten minutes and we’ll have you pointed in the right direction.