Updated 2026-10-12
A pet memorial stone may mark a garden corner without marking a burial. Establish the purpose first: it changes the permissions, dimensions and installation questions you need to resolve with the site owner and maker.
Arrange the inscription for your chosen location
Try the name, dates and message together, then save the words and the site questions for the maker.
Your entries stay in this browser tab. Download a copy before leaving; this worksheet does not send messages or place orders.
Start with the place
Record the proposed position, who controls it and whether it is a decorative marker or an actual grave marker. Keep site approval separate from a supplier’s willingness to sell the stone. For a burial location, use the grave marker checklist.
Keep the inscription readable
Begin with the name. Add dates only when confirmed, then one short line if you want it. The live proof above helps compare wording and line breaks; it does not reproduce a stone surface or an engraver’s font.
Ask about the real stone and finish
Request the product’s actual dimensions and weight, a description of the marking method, and the maker’s instructions for the intended setting. A digital mockup does not establish weather resistance, engraving depth or the appearance of the delivered material.
Approve the maker’s proof
Check spelling against a separate written reference. Confirm positioning, installation responsibility and what happens if the item arrives with an error. Save the final proof and the maker’s answers with your original inscription text.
Decide whether the stone is decorative or site-specific
A pet memorial stone in a private remembrance corner and a marker at a managed burial location may have different requirements. State the intended location before choosing the size or inscription. If permission or site rules apply, obtain the responsible party’s answer first. The grave marker brief handles that handoff. A decorative stone can commemorate a pet without implying that remains are located beneath it; describe the purpose accurately in your own records.
Ask for the maker’s actual material and finish information
Record the material, dimensions, weight and the method used to apply the design. Ask the maker what conditions the product is intended for and what care it requires. A product photograph does not establish how an inscription will behave in rain, sunlight or freezing conditions. Keep the specific answer with the quote and avoid borrowing durability claims from another product. This worksheet helps you ask the questions; it does not test stone performance or certify that a finish is suitable for a particular site.
Make the inscription readable at its real size
Choose the confirmed name and optional short wording before arranging the layout. Use the actual available design area, including any irregular edges, rather than the overall stone dimensions alone. An illustrative brief might use a name and one short line with no dates. Ask for a proof that shows the line breaks and placement at the proposed size. The original short remembrance lines can help if you want your own wording rather than a quotation with uncertain attribution.
Separate the design decision from placement and installation
Confirm who supplies the stone, who positions or installs it and what the site permits. Ask about the surface or support the maker expects instead of improvising an installation from a picture. Keep the approved proof, measurements and instructions together. The custom memorial specification records these responsibilities. If the place is not yet settled, keep the design as a plan and avoid ordering a fixed-size item that may not fit the eventual location.
Questions before you continue
Can I leave the dates out?
Yes. A name and a personal line can stand on their own; do not invent an adoption or death date.
Is the SVG ready for engraving?
No. It is a text layout proof to discuss. The engraver must specify usable artwork and approve the production file.
Does a memorial stone establish a burial location?
No. A decorative stone and permission for burial are separate matters that must be checked locally.