Should I Buy a Memorial Marker in Advance?

Pre-planning and pre-paying for funeral arrangements has become more common in recent years, with individuals not wanting to burden their loved ones with the stress and cost of arranging a funeral and burial.

While most people think of purchasing a burial plot, selecting a funeral home, and even planning a memorial service prior to their death, sometimes they don’t select a memorial marker.

If you’re pre-planning your own services, or helping a loved one prepare their plans, you may wonder if it’s worthwhile to purchase a headstone in advance.

Advantages of Pre-Purchasing a Headstone

Pre-purchasing your headstone comes with its own set of advantages over waiting, including:

Financial Savings

Over time, prices for labor, raw materials, and sales taxes increase. This can mean that what would have cost $500 when you planned your services will end up costing $750. The additional cost can be burdensome to your family, especially if they have to pay increased costs for the rest of your arrangements.

Pre-purchasing your headstone can help lock in much of the cost of this necessary expense, decreasing the amount your family will need to pay later.

Creative Control

A memorial marker is often seen as a lasting expression of the personality of the person buried beneath it. For this reason, many families choose to include quotes or images they feel represent that individual and have them etched onto the stone.

If you select and design your headstone yourself, you can be assured that the final result will be something that represents your taste and sensibilities.

Less Stress

Planning a funeral can be a stressful process, one that your family must deal with on top of coping with a loss.

Taking the selection and design of a headstone off the to-do list for your family can ease a little bit of the stress and worry they may feel in planning your arrangements. This will be a welcome reprieve for them, allowing them to focus their time and attention elsewhere.

Things to Consider When Deciding to Pre-Purchase

If you’re considering pre-purchasing your memorial marker, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

Are Your Burial Plans Final?

If you’ve already decided that you want to be buried instead of cremated, purchasing a headstone may be a no-brainer. 

However, if you’re still deciding what you’d like done with your remains following your death, purchasing a headstone ahead of time may become an unnecessary expense.

Do You Have a Cemetery Plot?

Having a cemetery plot – and, by extension, a place to put a headstone – means you’re more likely to need a memorial marker than someone who doesn’t yet have a plot.

While you can absolutely purchase a headstone before securing a plot if you plan to be buried, it may be ideal to hold off on that purchase if you’re still unsure and haven’t yet made the commitment.

Quality Headstones in Maryland

For decades, Merkle Monuments has been the go-to source for Maryland families seeking headstones, urns, and other memorial markers. Our team of experienced designers helps you design a remembrance worthy of your loved one. Call today for a quote!