10 Questions to ask before ordering a headstone or monument

Questions about the cemetery

Before a single design decision is made, the cemetery sets the ground rules. What's permitted there shapes every choice that follows — and the answers vary more than most families expect.

1. What are the cemetery's size and material requirements?

Every cemetery in New Jersey and Pennsylvania has its own regulations governing monument dimensions, permitted materials, granite colors, and installation methods. Some sections require flush markers only. Others permit uprights but cap the height. Some specify that only certain granite colors are allowed to maintain visual consistency across the grounds.

A monument company that doesn't ask about your specific cemetery before quoting you a design is cutting corners. At Abby Rose, we verify cemetery requirements before the design process begins — not after. The last thing a grieving family needs is to fall in love with a design, approve it, and then discover the cemetery won't allow it.

2. Does the cemetery charge a foundation or setting fee?

The monument itself is one cost. The cemetery's foundation fee — what they charge to install and set the stone — is a separate cost that catches many families off guard. In NJ and PA, these fees commonly range from $150 to over $600 depending on the facility and monument type. Always ask the cemetery directly what their setting fee is before finalizing your total budget.

3. Does the cemetery have an exclusive arrangement with a monument provider?

Some cemeteries have preferred or exclusive provider arrangements, which may limit your options or require you to work through their in-house sales operation. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, these arrangements are worth asking about upfront — you have the right to know whether you're working with an independent craftsman or a captive vendor.

Questions about the monument company

The provider you choose matters as much as the design itself. A beautiful design executed poorly — or a reputable-looking company that outsources its work overseas — can result in a memorial that disappoints for generations.

4. Where is the stone sourced, and where is the work done?

This is one of the most important questions you can ask, and one that many families never think to raise. Some monument companies source granite directly from quarries and do all engraving and finishing in-house. Others act as brokers — taking your order and outsourcing the work to a third party, sometimes overseas.

In-house work, done by a craftsman who knows the stone personally and is accountable to you directly, produces consistently better results. At Abby Rose Inc., we source granite directly and all work is done in our Yardville, NJ facility by William Farrell, our craftsman with over 40 years of stonecutting experience. When you approve a design with us, the person who reviews it is the same person who builds it.

5. Can I see examples of completed work?

Any reputable monument company should be able to show you photographs — or better yet, physical examples — of completed memorials. Pay particular attention to the quality of lettering, the depth and consistency of engraving, and the finish of any portrait work or detailed imagery.

If a company can't or won't show you examples, that's a significant red flag. If the examples look inconsistent or poorly executed, trust your instincts.

6. How long has the company been in business, and do they have local references?

Longevity matters in this industry. A company that has been serving NJ and PA families for decades has a track record you can evaluate — and a reputation they've spent years earning. Ask whether they can connect you with families they've worked with, or whether they have reviews from local customers you can read.

7. What happens if there's an error in the engraving?

Mistakes happen rarely, but when they do, you need to know how the company handles them. Does the company stand behind its work? Will they correct errors at no cost? How quickly can they respond? A company with genuine confidence in its craftsmanship will answer this question directly and without hesitation.

Questions about the design and process

The process of designing and ordering a headstone should feel collaborative, transparent, and unhurried — especially given what's at stake.

8. Will I see and approve the design before anything is engraved?

This should be non-negotiable. Before any engraving begins — before the resist is applied, before the abrasive touches the stone — you should see a complete visual representation of the finished memorial: the layout, the font, the size of each element, the placement of emblems, the full inscription exactly as it will appear.

At Abby Rose, no work begins until the design is approved by the family in writing. This protects you and gives you complete control over the outcome. If a monument company doesn't offer design approval before production, walk away.

9. What is the full cost, and what does it include?

Monument pricing can be deceptively complex. The base price of the stone is usually just the starting point. Engraving, additional emblems, portrait work, a base or foundation, delivery, and installation coordination may all be separate line items — or they may be bundled. Ask for an itemized breakdown of every cost before you commit, so you can make an informed comparison between providers and avoid surprises after the fact.

For a general overview of what headstones cost in NJ and PA, see our headstone cost guide.

10. How long will it take, and what does the timeline look like?

A standard single headstone at a reputable monument company typically takes four to eight weeks from design approval to installation — though timelines vary with design complexity, cemetery scheduling, and permit requirements. More complex pieces, including double monuments and mausoleums, take longer.

Ask for a realistic timeline upfront, and get a sense of what might affect it. If a company quotes you an unusually short turnaround — two weeks for a fully custom monument, for example — ask specifically how that's possible. Speed at the expense of craft is not a trade most families would knowingly make.

What the right monument company looks like

Taken together, these ten questions paint a clear picture of what you're looking for: a company with deep local roots, genuine craft knowledge, full transparency about cost and process, and a commitment to standing behind their work.

That's what Abby Rose Inc. has offered families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania for over 25 years. William Farrell sources his granite directly, does every piece of engraving personally, shows every family their design before anything is cut, and gives every client an itemized cost breakdown before any commitment is made. We work with cemeteries throughout NJ and PA — in Trenton, Hamilton, Princeton, Burlington County, Mercer County, Yardville, and across both states — and we know their requirements before we start designing, not after.

We welcome every one of these questions. The families who ask them are the ones who end up with memorials they're truly proud of — and that's the only outcome we're interested in.

Explore our full range of headstones and monuments, browse our engraving services, or view granite colors and materials to start forming a picture of what you want.

Ready to ask us these questions in person?

Come in. We'll answer every one of them — clearly, honestly, and without pressure.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our Yardville, NJ location. There's no obligation, no sales pitch, and no rush. Just a conversation about doing right by your loved one.

Abby Rose Inc. — Custom headstones and monuments serving families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania for over 25 years. Located at 602 U.S. Highway RT. 130, Yardville, NJ 08691. Call us at (609) 585-2242.