What are the cemetery's requirements for monument installation?

Cemetery monument installation requirements vary significantly across different cemeteries in Oklahoma and Texas, but understanding common requirements helps ensure smooth monument placement. Gifford Monument Works has 88 years of experience navigating these requirements and ensuring full compliance at hundreds of cemeteries throughout our service region.

Foundation Requirements

Flat Marker Foundations:

• Many cemeteries require no foundation for flat markers
• Some mandate concrete base slabs (4" thick minimum)
• Granite foundation slabs increasingly popular
• Must extend beyond marker edges by 2-4 inches
• Depth requirements: 4-8 inches below ground level

Upright Monument Foundations:

• Concrete foundation mandatory at most cemeteries
• Minimum dimensions: 6-12 inches wider than base on all sides
• Depth requirements: 24-36 inches deep
• Reinforcement: Steel rebar grid or wire mesh
• Curing time: Minimum 2-4 weeks before setting monument
• Some cemeteries require cemetery-installed foundations only

Companion Monument Foundations:

• Larger foundation footprint required
• Deeper excavation (30-42 inches typical)
• Heavy reinforcement for increased weight
• Extended curing time (4-6 weeks)
• May require engineering specifications

Size and Dimension Restrictions

Height Restrictions:

• Flat markers: Typically 4-8 inches maximum
• Bevel markers: 8-12 inches maximum
• Slant markers: 12-18 inches maximum
• Upright monuments: 24-72 inches depending on cemetery section
• Family estates: May allow taller monuments in designated areas

Width and Depth Limits:

• Single plots: Usually maximum 24-30 inches wide
• Companion plots: Typically maximum 48-60 inches wide
• Depth (front to back): Usually 12-18 inches for flat, 16-24 inches for upright
• Must maintain clearance from adjacent plots (usually 3-6 inches)

Base-to-Die Proportions:

• Die (upright portion) should not exceed base dimensions
• Typical ratio: Base should be 4-8 inches wider and deeper than die
• Height proportions: Die typically 1.5-2 times base height

Material and Finish Requirements

Approved Materials:

• Granite: Almost universally accepted
• Marble: Allowed in some cemeteries, restricted in others
• Bronze: Sometimes restricted or must be on granite base
• Concrete: Rarely allowed for modern monuments
• Synthetic materials: Usually prohibited

Granite Thickness Requirements:

• Flat markers: 4 inches minimum, 6 inches preferred
• Bevel markers: 6 inches minimum
• Slant markers: 8 inches minimum
• Upright dies: 6-8 inches minimum
• Bases: 6-12 inches depending on monument size

Surface Finish Specifications:

• Most cemeteries allow polished, sanded, or rock-faced finishes
• Some require polished fronts for readability
• Back and sides may have finish requirements
• Colored granites may be restricted in certain cemetery sections

Installation Method Requirements

Setting Procedures:

• Many cemeteries require epoxy bonding between sections
• Some mandate cement bonding
• Specific curing time before opening site
• Use of approved adhesives only
• Proper leveling and alignment standards

Equipment Restrictions:

• Vehicle weight limits in cemetery
• Designated access routes only
• Protection of adjacent monuments during installation
• Turf protection requirements
• Cleanup and restoration of disturbed areas

Timing and Scheduling:

• Installation allowed only during business hours (typically 8 AM - 4 PM)
• Advance notice required (usually 24-72 hours)
• No installations on weekends or holidays at many cemeteries
• Seasonal restrictions (some prohibit winter installations)
• Memorial Day blackout periods (2-4 weeks before)

Permit and Approval Process

Pre-Installation Requirements:

• Written permit from cemetery office
• Design approval (especially for custom monuments)
• Foundation inspection and approval
• Proof of plot ownership
• Payment of setting fees

Documentation Needed:

• Monument specifications (dimensions, materials)
• Design drawings or photos
• Foundation plans
• Installer credentials and insurance
• Cemetery plot information

Approval Timeline:

• Simple designs: Usually 1-3 business days
• Custom designs: May require 1-2 weeks
• Board approval: Some cemeteries require committee review
• Religious approval: May add time at religious cemeteries

Special Feature Requirements

Vases and Planters:

• Attachment method specifications
• Size limitations
• Drainage requirements
• Material compatibility
• Some cemeteries prohibit attached vases

Photo Portraits:

• Size restrictions (typically maximum 5x7 or 8x10)
• Placement location requirements
• Porcelain vs. etched specifications
• Some cemeteries have approval processes for images

Bronze Elements:

• Attachment specifications
• Theft prevention requirements
• Maintenance responsibility
• Additional approval may be needed

Lot Restrictions by Cemetery Section

Older Cemetery Sections:

• Often more flexible, "grandfathered" regulations
• May allow taller, more ornate monuments
• Sometimes no foundation requirements for existing plots
• Varied monument styles and sizes permitted

Newer Cemetery Sections:

• Stricter uniformity requirements
• Memorial park style (flat markers only) common
• Consistent monument heights mandated
• Limited design variations

Premium or Estate Sections:

• May allow larger, more elaborate monuments
• Minimum monument size requirements sometimes apply
• Higher aesthetic standards
• Additional fees for premium locations

Gifford Monument Works Compliance Process

We ensure full cemetery compliance through:

1. Pre-Design Verification:

• Contact cemetery before you choose a monument
• Obtain written regulation documentation
• Verify all requirements match your preferences
• Identify any potential issues early

2. Design Compliance:

• Create designs that meet all cemetery specifications
• Provide documentation for cemetery approval
• Coordinate design changes if needed
• Obtain cemetery sign-off before production

3. Foundation Coordination:

• Schedule foundation installation per cemetery requirements
• Use cemetery-approved contractors if required
• Verify foundation meets specifications
• Allow proper curing time

4. Installation Scheduling:

• Coordinate installation during allowed timeframes
• Obtain necessary permits
• Schedule cemetery representative inspection if required
• Complete installation per cemetery methods

5. Post-Installation:

• Final cemetery inspection coordination
• Provide cemetery with installation documentation
• Address any cemetery concerns
• Ensure monument meets all requirements

What Happens with Non-Compliance

Failure to meet cemetery requirements can result in:

• Installation refusal by cemetery
• Required monument removal and modification
• Fines or penalties
• Delayed installation while corrections are made
• Additional costs for modification and reinstallation

This is why working with experienced monument professionals is crucial — we ensure compliance from design through installation.

Cemetery-Specific Expertise

With 88 years serving Oklahoma and Texas families, we're familiar with installation requirements at hundreds of local cemeteries, including:

• Rural and urban cemetery variations
• Private, municipal, and religious cemetery differences
• Modern memorial parks vs. traditional cemeteries
• Veterans cemetery specifications
• Regional requirement patterns

Starting Your Monument Project

When you schedule a consultation with Gifford Monument Works, bring:

• Cemetery name and exact location
• Plot number or location description
• Any regulation documents you've received
• Cemetery office contact information
• Photos of nearby monuments (if helpful)

We'll verify all installation requirements, design a compliant monument, coordinate all approvals, and ensure professional installation that meets every cemetery specification. Your monument will be installed correctly the first time, giving you peace of mind during an already difficult time.