How the Monument Selection and Ordering Process Works at Patten Monument Company

Patten Monument Company organizes monument selection around a published five-step guide, and the site gives you several ways to start: build a custom design online, request designs, request a quote, or schedule an appointment. Before you finalize anything, check your cemetery's regulations and restrictions, since those rules determine what size, style, and material the cemetery will allow. The exact sequence of steps and any costs are not spelled out on the homepage, so treat the five-step guide and the Pricing & Cost page as your first reads.

The five-step framework

The site links to a "5 steps to selecting a monument" page under its Information Center. The homepage does not reproduce the steps, so the practical move is to open that page before you contact anyone. Use it as a checklist: it tells you what decisions come first and what information you'll need to have ready.

Ways to start

The homepage offers several entry points, each suited to a different starting point:

You can also browse the portfolio and the brochures and designs section first if you're still deciding between styles.

Match the memorial type to your situation

Patten lists a full suite of memorial styles, and the right one depends on burial type and cemetery rules:

• Flat grave markers — often required by cemeteries that keep grounds level for mowing
• Upright headstones and memorials — traditional upright monuments, subject to height and base rules
• Cremation headstones — for families memorializing after cremation
• Bench memorials — a seating-style memorial
• Custom cemetery monuments and mausoleums — larger or fully custom structures
• Virtual memorials — an online memorial page alongside a physical one
• Veteran memorials — the site highlights a dedicated veteran memorial offering

Check cemetery rules before you commit

This is the step most likely to derail an order if skipped. Patten's Information Center includes a Cemetery Regulations page and a Cemetery Restrictions request form, which suggests cemeteries vary enough that the company checks them per project. Confirm with your cemetery:

• Permitted monument types (flat vs. upright)
• Maximum dimensions and base requirements
• Approved materials and finishes
• Any inscription or emblem restrictions

Getting these answers before you request a quote or design avoids rework later.

Contact, locations, and service areas

The site provides a contact form, a locations page, and a service areas page, plus a direct phone option. If you're outside the core area, check the service areas page first so you know whether Patten covers your cemetery. For a quote, expect to supply the cemetery name, the memorial type you're considering, and any inscription details.

What to expect from the company

Client testimonials on the site describe friendly, professional staff and note one case where Patten resurfaced and re-created a headstone after another vendor made errors. That's a useful signal if you're inheriting a problem monument, but it's a single account—ask directly about your situation.

Practical next steps

1. Read the five-step guide and the Pricing & Cost page.
2. Get your cemetery's written restrictions.
3. Choose an entry point: custom design, design request, quote, or appointment.
4. Bring cemetery rules and inscription details to that first contact.