Can Anyone Put a Gravestone on a Grave?
If you’re working with a monument maker online to create a memorial for a loved one, you might be wondering if you have the right to place the marker on a grave. There are many considerations to keep in mind as you’re picking out a grave marker or headstone, and installation is one that many people forget.
Read on for the answer to that question and more information about the process of working with a gravestone maker to create a meaningful monument.
Who has the right to put the headstone on a grave?
Cemeteries exist in two primary forms: public and private. Public cemeteries are typically open to the public, and everyone has the opportunity to purchase funeral plots if they wish to be buried there. While these cemeteries feature public access, they’re usually owned and maintained by private entities.
Private cemeteries, on the other hand, are usually used by individual families or by small subsets of the local community. Often, private cemeteries are affiliated with a church and may only offer plots for congregation members.
In both public and private cemeteries, you’ll need a grant deed before a headstone can be installed. This legal document proves the sale or transfer of property—in this case, of a grave plot. The grant deed holder is the only person who can legally order a headstone to be installed. This is usually designated next of kin or whoever has been named executor in the deceased’s will.
If you aren’t designated on the grant deed, you won’t be able to order installation of a headstone on a grave. That’s why it’s so important for you and your loved ones to start end-of-life planning well before you think you should. Planning ahead ensures the person in charge of working with the gravestone maker will honor the wishes of the deceased, as well as reduce the potential for conflict when it comes time to order installation of the headstone.
Preparing for installation of the memorial marker
Designing and purchasing a headstone is a major undertaking. Whether you’re buying on behalf of someone else or you’re preselecting your own monument, you want to make sure the headstone contains all relevant information that honors the life of the deceased. You also need to work closely with the cemetery to make absolutely sure the memorial is installed in the correct spot.
Many cemeteries offer installation for a fee; if they don’t, they usually work with local independent installers. Always speak to the cemetery prior to headstone delivery and get all installation logistics determined well in advance—it makes the process smoother for all involved parties.
There are several things to consider when it comes to creating and installing the perfect monument that memorializes the life of a loved one. Phillipsburg Memorial Company is here to help. As a trusted online monument maker, we can help you design a meaningful monument and answer all your questions regarding installation, care, maintenance and much more. Reach out to us to learn more or schedule a consultation.
Categorised in: Headstone