Cemetery Monument Installation and Delivery in Toronto
When you order a monument or headstone from Haven Casket, we take care of every step from cemetery approval to final installation. You do not need to coordinate with the cemetery yourself, arrange a freight company, or figure out how to get a 500 pound granite monument safely set in the ground. Our team handles all of it. Grave markers work differently. Most cemeteries set the marker themselves and charge the family a setting fee, and where a cemetery does not set markers, we can set yours at extra cost, quoted as a separate line.
We provide free monument delivery and professional installation at cemeteries across the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Markham, Scarborough, Vaughan, North York, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, and Brampton. A few GTA cemeteries set the monument themselves and bill the family for that work, and whether that applies can depend on the size of the monument. For cemeteries outside the GTA, delivery is available with additional shipping charges based on the distance.
How Headstone and Monument Installation Works
Every monument we deliver goes through the same clear process. We keep you informed at each stage so you always know where things stand.
Step 1: Provide your cemetery details. To get started, give us the full name and address of the cemetery, including the city, province, and postal code. If you have a contact person at the cemetery office, share their name, phone number, and email as well. The more complete the information, the faster we can move forward.
Step 2: Cemetery approval. Once your order is placed, our team contacts the cemetery directly. We confirm the size requirements for your specific plot, submit the required paperwork, and get written approval before anything goes into production. This step makes sure your monument meets the cemetery’s rules and will be accepted without any issues on delivery day.
Step 3: Design approval. While we work on cemetery approval, we also finalize your design. You receive a detailed proof showing the shape, engraving layout, artwork, and granite color. Nothing moves to production until you review the proof and give us the go ahead. If you want to see how this process works visually, visit our concept to reality page.
Step 4: Production. Production begins after you approve the design, payment is received, and the cemetery has given approval. Most monuments we have in stock, including upright headstones, are completed within 4 to 8 weeks. Monuments we need to order, including custom designs with detailed carvings or unique shapes, take 8 to 12 weeks. We will give you a clear timeline before production starts.
Step 5: Delivery and installation. Once production is complete, we deliver the monument directly to the cemetery and install it on the foundation. The stone is set, the alignment checked, and everything made secure and level. A few GTA cemeteries set the monument themselves and bill the family for that work, and whether that applies can depend on the size of the monument. You do not need to be present for the installation, but you are welcome to be there if you would like to.
What Is Included With Every Monument
Every monument purchased from Haven Casket includes the following at no extra charge within the Greater Toronto Area.
Free delivery to the cemetery. We transport the monument from our facility to the cemetery and handle the unloading.
Professional installation. We set the monument on the foundation and confirm it meets the cemetery’s placement standards. A few GTA cemeteries set the monument themselves and bill the family for that work, and whether that applies can depend on the size of the monument.
Cemetery coordination. We contact the cemetery, submit the paperwork, and get all necessary approvals before delivery.
For a full list of what is included with your monument purchase, including granite options, artwork selections, and engraving details, visit our main monuments page.
Cemetery Foundation Fees
Most cemeteries in the GTA require a concrete foundation to be built before a monument can be installed. This foundation sits below ground level and keeps the monument stable and level over time.
In most cases the foundation is poured by the cemetery, not by Haven Casket. The cemetery charges a separate fee for this work, which the family pays directly to the cemetery. Where a cemetery does not pour foundations, we can pour it at extra cost, quoted to you as a separate line. Either way the foundation is not included in our monument pricing.
Before you place your order, we recommend contacting the cemetery to ask about their foundation fee and any other setting charges. If you are unsure what to ask, call us and we will walk you through it. We can also contact the cemetery on your behalf to get this information.
Delivery Outside the Greater Toronto Area
For monument deliveries outside the GTA, additional shipping charges apply based on the distance and weight of the monument.
Most granite monuments and headstones weigh over 500 pounds and are shipped by freight carrier. Smaller items like flat markers and bronze plaques may be shipped by courier depending on the size and weight.
For freight deliveries, the carrier will contact the cemetery to arrange a delivery window. The receiving location needs to be able to unload the monument safely. If liftgate service is needed, an additional charge may apply.
If the cemetery cannot accept the delivery directly, we can arrange for a professional installer in your area to receive the monument and complete the installation. Additional fees apply for this service. Call us at (905)-604-7555 for a quote specific to your location.
Delivery to a residential address is possible but will have extra freight charges. In that case, it is the family’s responsibility to confirm that cemetery approval has been obtained before the monument is shipped.
Winter Delivery and Seasonal Considerations
Ontario winters can affect monument delivery and installation timelines. When the ground is frozen, most cemeteries will not allow foundations to be poured or monuments to be installed. This is a safety and structural concern, not a policy we control.
If your monument is completed during the winter months, it may need to wait until the ground thaws before installation can take place. This usually means installations resume in the spring, typically starting in April depending on the weather.
Holiday closures around Christmas and New Year can also affect production timelines. If your order falls near these periods, we will let you know about any expected delays before you approve the design.
To avoid seasonal delays, we recommend placing your order as early as possible. Families who are planning ahead can start the design process at any time and schedule installation for a specific date in the future.
Cemeteries We Have Worked With
We have delivered and installed monuments at cemeteries throughout the Greater Toronto Area and across Ontario. While every cemetery has its own rules and procedures, we are familiar with the requirements at most GTA locations and know how to work with their offices to keep the process smooth.
Whether the monument is going to a large municipal cemetery, a smaller faith based burial ground, or a rural cemetery outside of the city, we handle the coordination the same way. We contact the cemetery, confirm the rules, submit the paperwork, and schedule the delivery and installation.
If you are not sure whether we deliver to your cemetery, call us with the name and location and we will confirm right away.
FAQ
How long does it take to get a headstone installed in Toronto?
Monuments we have in stock take 4 to 8 weeks from approval to installation. Monuments we need to order, including custom designs with detailed carvings or unique shapes, take 8 to 12 weeks. Winter conditions and cemetery schedules can also affect the timeline.
Is monument installation included in the price?
Yes. Free delivery and professional installation are included with every monument purchased from Haven Casket within the Greater Toronto Area. A few GTA cemeteries set the monument themselves and bill the family for that work, and whether that applies can depend on the size of the monument. The cemetery foundation is separate and is never included in our price. For locations outside the GTA, additional shipping charges apply.
Do I need to deal with the cemetery myself?
No. We handle all cemetery communication, paperwork, and approvals on your behalf. You provide us with the cemetery name and address, and we take care of the rest.
What is a cemetery foundation fee?
A cemetery foundation fee covers the cost of building a concrete base in the ground to hold the monument in place. In most cases this fee is charged by the cemetery and paid directly to them. Where a cemetery does not pour foundations, we can pour it at extra cost, quoted as a separate line. It is separate from the monument price.
Can you install a monument in the winter?
In most cases, winter installations are not possible because the ground is frozen. Monuments completed during winter months are typically installed in the spring once the ground thaws and the cemetery opens for installations.
Do you deliver monuments outside of Toronto?
Yes. We deliver monuments to cemeteries across Ontario and ship to other provinces as well. At GTA cemeteries we set the monument and that setting is included in our price. Outside the GTA we can install as well, at an extra cost quoted to you. A few GTA cemeteries set the monument themselves and bill your family for that work, and whether that applies can depend on the size of the monument. Delivery charges outside the GTA depend on the distance and weight. Call us for a quote.