Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are you located?

Schott Monument Company is based in Cincinnati, OH, where we’ve been family-owned and operated since 1917. We ship nationwide across the continental United States, with granite sourced from Elberton, GA — home to some of the finest granite quarries in the country.

2. I love your memorial designs and artistry — why can’t I find a monument like this locally?

Custom stone work is the focal point of our business, so we invest in an experienced design team, skilled artists, and state-of-the-art equipment that many local shops simply don’t have. We work with a variety of trusted importers and hand-design our custom stone work at our own shop, rather than offering only the ordinary, stock designs many local monument dealers carry.

3. Why are there no prices shown?

We make each memorial and headstone one at a time, so we can accommodate any design, size, granite color, or custom change you’d like. Final pricing depends on size, polishing, color, and each individual cemetery’s specific rules and regulations, which we always follow. Please email or call us, and we’ll gladly provide a pricing estimate to help you find the right memorial for your needs and budget.

4. Won’t I pay extra in shipping since you’re not in my city?

Not necessarily. Local monument companies typically don’t manufacture their headstones on-site either — most granite is quarried and cut elsewhere and then shipped to them, with that shipping cost already built into their price. We charge you the exact shipping cost, no markup, so in many cases you’ll pay about the same or less than you would locally.

5. How long does it take for the memorial to arrive?

Standard monuments and markers typically take 4-6 weeks after your design layout is approved and paid for. After you place your order, we send a design proof within 5-7 days; once you approve and pay, production and shipping take another 4-6 weeks. Fully custom, hand-carved designs can take longer — we’ll always give you a clear timeline before you commit.

6. The cemetery tells me I have to buy from them — is this true?

No — a cemetery cannot legally require you to purchase your memorial from them. You’re free to buy from the company of your choice. That said, cemeteries may have their own requirements around size, foundation fees, or installation fees, and we’ll make sure your order meets them.

7. Who will install the memorial, and do I have to find an installer?

We take care of everything. We confirm your cemetery’s requirements and arrange for an installer on your behalf — at no charge, as a courtesy to our customers. You can pay the installer directly or have the installation fee included with your order. We handle communication with the funeral home and cemetery so you don’t have to.

8. What happens if the memorial is damaged in shipping?

We’re responsible for your monument until it’s delivered. If it’s damaged in transit, we handle all the paperwork with the shipping carrier and will repair or replace the stone. Once the memorial is off the truck and in the installer’s care, they take responsibility from that point forward.

9. What makes you different from other monument companies?

We’ve been in business since 1917 — over a century of experience and more than 100,000 lifetime orders. That kind of history means real expertise in helping families create a lasting, meaningful memorial, often at prices lower than what you’ll find at a local monument dealer.

10. I still don’t see the monument I envision on your site.

That’s great news! The designs on our site are meant to inspire, not limit you. You don’t have to settle for a common gravestone — if you have a photo or a rough sketch of what you’re picturing, send it our way and our design team will work with you to create something that’s truly your own.