A headstone in stock granite is typically ready 6–10 weeks after you approve the final proof. Fully custom work runs 3–6 months. Counting design, proofs, production, and delivery, most families should plan on one to six months from the first conversation to the installed memorial.
That range is wide because you control part of it. The design and proof stage moves at whatever pace feels right to your family — nothing goes into production until you sign off on the final proof and place a deposit. Once you approve, the clock starts and the rest is on us.
How long does each phase take?
| Phase | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Design & proofs | Varies — you set the pace | Style, size, granite, and personalization are worked out collaboratively, with proofs revised until everything is right. Nothing is produced until you approve the final proof. |
| Production — stock granite | 6–10 weeks | The clock starts at final proof approval. Sierra White, our standard granite, usually falls in this window. |
| Production — fully custom | 3–6 months | Custom shapes and less common granites take longer to source, cut, and finish. |
| Delivery & installation | Coordinated with your cemetery | The cemetery usually prepares the ground and foundation before the stone arrives. We install what we fabricate throughout Nevada and Northern California; some cemeteries require their own installer, in which case we deliver. |
The five design steps themselves — cemetery requirements, style, size, granite, personalization — are walked through in detail on our design process page. If you are earlier in the decision, our step-by-step buying guide covers the whole journey.
What can extend the timeline?
- Quarry location. Our granite is sourced from quarries around the world, and a stone that travels farther takes longer to arrive than one quarried closer to home.
- Granite availability. Some colors are simply harder to get at a given moment. Our granite and materials guide explains the choices.
- Design changes. Every revision is worth making — this stone will stand for generations — but each proof round adds time before production can begin.
- Weather. Ground conditions and cemetery schedules can push installation, particularly in winter.
- Shipping. Freight to a distant cemetery adds transit time at the end of production.
Why do cemeteries prepare the foundation before delivery?
A granite memorial is heavy, and it needs a stable, level base to stand straight for the long term. That is why cemeteries usually prepare the ground and pour the cement foundation before the stone is delivered — the memorial arrives to a site that is ready for it. Scheduling that groundwork is part of the delivery coordination we handle with your cemetery, and it is one of several rules that vary from cemetery to cemetery. Our cemetery regulations guide covers what to check before you order.
When should you order?
Any time. There is no required waiting period after a burial — some families order within days of the service, others wait months until they feel ready, and both are completely normal. Many families also order before a death, settling the design while everyone can weigh in. If that appeals to you, our pre-need guide explains how it works.
Does ordering remotely slow things down?
No. The design and proof process happens by phone and email whether you live in Reno or across the country, so families ordering nationwide move through it at the same pace as local families. We arrange delivery to your cemetery or its approved installer, wherever it is in the U.S.
What if you are planning around a holiday or anniversary?
Families often hope to have a memorial set before a particular date — a birthday, a wedding anniversary, a first Christmas without someone. If that matters to you, work backward generously: start the design conversation well ahead of the date, choose a stock granite like Sierra White to keep production at the shorter end, and turn proofs around promptly, since that is the one lever entirely in your hands. If the date is close, call us at 775-323-1835 and we will tell you honestly what is realistic — and current starting prices are always on our pricing page.
Questions families ask
How long does a headstone take from order to installation?
Most memorials are installed within one to six months of the first design conversation. Stock granite is typically ready 6–10 weeks after you approve the final proof; fully custom work runs 3–6 months.
Can I speed the process up?
The part you control is the proof stage — production cannot begin until you approve the final proof, so prompt review shortens the overall timeline. Choosing a stock granite such as Sierra White also keeps production at the shorter end of the range.
Is there a waiting period before ordering a headstone?
No. You can order at any time — some families order right after the service, others wait months, and many order pre-need, before a death has occurred. There is no required waiting period.
Does ordering by phone from another state take longer?
No. Design and proofs happen by phone and email either way, so ordering remotely does not slow production. We arrange delivery to your cemetery or its approved installer anywhere in the U.S.