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There are many decisions that go into selecting and designing a memorial. The best way to approach making these decisions is to do so over a comfortable amount of time.
First things first: congratulations for making the first step! Your desire to plan and make arrangements for the inevitable will be appreciated by those you love. If you've already started or completed a legal will, discussed your wishes to your loved ones, made funeral arrangements, allocated the necessary funds for your plans, etc., you're well ahead of the game.
For those just beginning their journey in purchasing a grave marker, knowing where to start may not be obvious. There are a lot of circumstances and variables that will need to be considered to properly guide you. The task may seem daunting, but we specialize in educating and guiding people through it all.
Seriously- we love to chat, and the advice is free!
Regardless of your progress, there are a few things to always keep in mind when purchasing a cemetery memorial:
Take your time
Never make quick decisions- especially if you're emotional and struggling with the recent loss of a loved one. This is hard for many people, but rushing through the process because it's difficult is likely to add to your grief in ways you haven't yet considered.
Shop around
Always assume you have options. Not just with the cemetery memorial, but with the cemetery itself. Not all cemeteries are equal. If you don't understand the differences between municipal, not-for-profit cemeteries and for-profit, private cemeteries, you're at risk for spending far more than you need to!
Ask a lot of questions
Don't assume competency. Anyone trying to sell you a cemetery memorial should be knowledgeable and capable of handling your needs.
Ask your dealer:
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how long he/she has worked in the industry?
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why they are offering the options they offer?
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what do they have to offer over their competitors?
Know the difference
There are many decisions that go into selecting and designing a memorial. The best way to approach making these decisions is to do so over a comfortable amount of time.
In the greater Madison area there are just a few of these for-profit cemeteries:
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Sun Prairie Memory Garden
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Highland Memory Garden
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Roselawn Memorial Park
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Sunset Memory Garden
Each of these businesses offer a full range of services and memorial products that can simplify the burial and memorialization process for many customers. However, those conveniences usually come at a cost- often a high cost when compared to similar services and memorial products arranged at other cemeteries.
As an example, many cemeteries charge fees for marking graves when companies deliver and install memorials. The typical price range is between $40 and $100. The fee for accomplishing the same task at one of the aforementioned cemeteries is $799 as of 2026.
The only way of knowing what the full range and costs and solutions are to your cemetery and memorialization needs is to seek them out for yourself. Just like you would compare goods and services between various retailers and contractors, you should compare various cemeteries and memorial suppliers.
If you haven't already purchased your grave site(s), make sure you understand the basic mission objective of the cemetery you are considering. There are two broad categories of cemeteries: publicly-owned and maintained, and privately-owned and operated.
Specifically, what is the purpose of the cemetery? Is it to provide a service to the local population for a reasonable cost sufficient to maintaining cemetery operations? Or, is it a business that seeks to profit from selling particular goods and services?