Spring is more than just a season of renewal—it’s also the ideal time to plan and purchase a headstone. After a long winter, cemeteries reopen for installations, monument companies gear up for their busiest season, and families begin preparing for upcoming memorials and anniversaries.

If you’re considering ordering a custom headstone this year, spring is the best time to begin the process. Here’s why acting early can help you avoid unnecessary delays and ensure your loved one’s memorial is completed with care.

1. Cemetery Access Reopens After Winter Closures

In northern states like Michigan, harsh winters often force cemeteries to pause installations and maintenance due to snow-covered grounds and frozen soil. As spring arrives and the ground begins to thaw:

  • Cemeteries resume accepting and scheduling headstone installations 
  • Foundation work becomes possible again 
  • Monuments ordered during this time are first in line for placement 

Ordering early in spring ensures your monument is scheduled before the seasonal rush.

2. Beat the Peak Season Rush

Spring marks the start of the busiest time of year for headstone orders. Families preparing for:

  • Summer memorial services 
  • Anniversaries of passing 
  • Pre-need planning 

…all begin placing orders as the weather warms up. Waiting too long could mean:

  • Longer design queues 
  • Extended production and engraving times 
  • Delays in cemetery coordination 

By ordering in early spring, you get ahead of the crowd and secure a spot in the production schedule before backlogs begin.

3. More Time for Customization and Approvals

A meaningful headstone takes time to create. Whether you’re personalizing the design with artwork, unique lettering, or a custom epitaph, the process includes:

  • Collaborating with a designer 
  • Reviewing and approving layouts 
  • Engraving and preparing the monument 

Ordering in spring gives you ample time to make decisions, review proofs, and avoid being rushed. You’ll have peace of mind knowing the memorial will be ready exactly when you need it.

4. Weather Conditions Are Ideal for Installation

Installing a headstone requires stable weather and dry ground, which typically becomes available in late spring and early summer. Here’s how weather impacts installations:

  • Frozen soil and snow delay foundation prep in winter 
  • Heavy rains in late spring or summer can cause scheduling changes 
  • Extreme heat later in the summer may reduce cemetery availability 

By ordering early in spring, you increase the chances of getting the headstone placed during the most favorable weather window.

5. Avoid Last-Minute Stress Around Memorial Dates

Planning a headstone unveiling, celebration of life, or memorial service later in the year? Ordering now ensures the monument is ready for:

  • Mother’s Day or Father’s Day tributes 
  • Summer family gatherings 
  • One-year anniversaries 
  • Veterans Day or other observances 

When families wait until late spring or early summer to order, it’s common to run into production or installation delays. Starting early means less stress and more time to focus on honoring your loved one.

6. Lock in Current Pricing

Like many industries, monument materials and production costs can fluctuate throughout the year. When you order a headstone in spring, you’re more likely to:

  • Avoid price increases that often come with peak season demand 
  • Have more inventory and color options available 
  • Take advantage of seasonal promotions or early-order discounts 

At Patten’s Michigan Monuments, we often encourage spring orders to help families maximize value and avoid peak season pricing.

7. Support Is Readily Available

Spring is also when monument companies are best staffed to support you. You’ll have:

  • Faster response times 
  • More availability for design consultations 
  • Dedicated help coordinating with cemeteries 

That means smoother communication and fewer hold-ups throughout the process.

What to Do Next

Ordering a headstone might feel like a big step, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Working with an experienced monument provider ensures every detail—from design to delivery—is handled with care.

Here’s How to Get Started This Spring:

  1. Gather Inspiration – Think about symbols, phrases, or designs that reflect your loved one’s story. 
  2. Call Your Cemetery – Ask about their headstone size and material rules. 
  3. Contact a Monument Specialist – A team like ours will walk you through materials, customization options, timelines, and pricing. 
  4. Start Early – Secure your place in the design and installation schedule before the seasonal rush. 

Final Thoughts

Spring is the season of new beginnings—and the ideal time to create a lasting memorial. By starting the process now, you’ll avoid production delays, ensure timely installation, and have the freedom to personalize your loved one’s headstone without stress.

At Patten’s Michigan Monuments, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether you’re pre-planning or honoring a recent loss, we’ll make sure your loved one’s memory is beautifully preserved for generations to come.

Create a lasting tribute for your loved one.

Get a free granite headstone quote today:
 👉 https://pattensmichiganmonuments.com/contact/