Installing a Grave Marker without Cement

• 1). Excavate an area the size of the grave marker allowing an extra inch of room on each side. The hole should be as deep as the thickness of the grave marker. The intent is place the top of the marker at ground level to allow mowers to pass over the marker.
  
  
• 2). Place the marker in the hole. Use sand to level the marker and fill any gaps between the marker and sod. Lifting the marker usually requires at least two people. Even a small marker can weigh in excess of 100 pounds.
  
  
• 3). Clean the sand from the marker. This type of installation is only appropriate for small flat grave markers such as veterans' markers or small granite or marble markers.
  
  

Installing a Grave Marker with Cement

• 1). Excavate an area the size of the grave marker, allowing an extra inch on each side of the marker. The hole should be as deep as the marker is thick, plus an additional 6 inches.
  
  
• 2). Using a post hole digger, excavate a hole on each end of the excavation. The holes should be 6 to 8 inches in diameter and at least 24 inches deep. These holes will serve foundations for the slab that will support the grave marker. Add an additional hole, in the appropriate place, if the marker includes a vase. A recess in the cement foundation for the grave marker is necessary to accommodate the vase. Use a coffee can or piece of pipe to line the recess for the vase. This prevents concrete from filling the area.
  
  
• 3). Place reinforcing rods in the holes at each end of the excavation extending about 2 or 3 inches above the bottom of the excavation. A hammer can be used to drive the rods into the ground, setting them to the proper height. Place reinforcing mesh in the bottom of the excavation.
  
  
• 4). Mix concrete--four or five bags of a ready mix cement may be necessary--in a wheelbarrow. Place the cement in the excavation and level it at a point where the top of the concrete slab is the same distance below ground level as the thickness of the grave marker. Depending on the cement product, cure time can range from a few hours to a few days. Consult label instructions for specifics of the product.
  
  
• 5). Place the grave marker in place. This may require heavy equipment. Some large grave markers can weigh up to 400 pounds. Use sand to fill gaps between the marker and the sod around it.