General FAQs

What is TributeDirect™?
We are a leading provider of markers, monuments and headstones sold direct to the public—saving families 40-70% off of funeral home and cemetery pricing.  TributeDirect’s™ memorials offer a lifetime guarantee against natural defects.

Where are you located?
Our corporate offices are located in Houston, Texas, but we provide products and services anywhere in the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada.

What do I do if the deceased passes away in a different state than the funeral will be in?
If your loved one has prior arrangements with an out-of-state funeral home, you should first contact that funeral home and allow them to coordinate with a local funeral home for the transportation of the remains. If the deceased does not have prior arrangements, it would be best to contact a funeral home in the state of burial to help you make the arrangements for transportation.

I’ve never done this before, where do I start?
Purchasing funeral products from TributeDirect™ is very simple, reliable, and affordable.

For imminent need (e.g., a terminally ill patient nearing death), contact  TributeDirect™to discuss shipping options to one of our storage facilities until the casket is needed for the funeral.

For at-need, you can contact TributeDirect™ to purchase your casket before making funeral arrangements.  Once the funeral and/or burial has been scheduled, contact us immediately so that we can have the product shipped at the standard rate, which is included in the casket price.  (Note:  a separate quote is required for overnight, weekend, or holiday shipping and delivery and additional charges may apply.)

What are the online specials?
TributeDirect™ has certain caskets discounted from the advertised retail price.  Please contact TributeDirect™ to learn which caskets are currently discounted from the online price.

What is the 70% discount on?
Based on analysis of the average retail pricing of caskets purchased at the local funeral home, TributeDirect™ pricing can save consumers 40-70% off of funeral home and cemetery pricing.

What is your relationship to hospice?
First, TributeDirect™ is an associate member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and a member of the Texas and New Mexico Hospice Organization. TributeDirect™ partners with hospices to complement their work in supporting families facing the imminent death of a loved one.  Our position is to help families plan funerals that are tasteful, consistent with their beliefs and values, and make sense to them financially. 

What kind of funeral expertise does TributeDirect™ have?
The senior management of the company has a combined experience of over 100 years in the funeral business.  Prior to launching the company, the company founders spent a year researching the history and emerging trends in funerals in North America.  We held focus groups to ascertain what the average person wanted when it comes to funeral planning and services. 

How will TributeDirect™ help my family, scattered all across the U.S., plan a funeral when my father dies?  He lives in Denver, but the funeral will be in Chicago.
With TributeDirect™ to help you, planning a funeral and selecting and purchasing products is not only very affordable, but it’s also very convenient. TributeDirect™  can conduct conference calls between family members, each family member can view our products in the comfort of their own home using a personal computer, and TributeDirect™ can assist with all aspects of the funeral. 

Why do funeral homes charge so much?
Each funeral home has its own pricing rationale.  But some generalizations can be made.  Funeral homes generally have large overhead costs to cover.  Until recently with the advent of the Internet and more choices for consumers, funeral homes have not had much competition beyond their local area.

My neighbor had a “home funeral.”  Is that legal?
Yes, it is legal in all 50 states to conduct a funeral in a private residence.  In five states, however, law dictates a funeral director must be on hand to “supervise” preparation of the body.  Your TributeDirect™ counselor can guide you in planning a home funeral.  There are a lot of resources available for those who choose this option.

Are there any fees which are negotiable in the funeral home?
Yes.  In fact, there is only one fee which you must accept if you are going to use a traditional funeral home:  the non-refundable “Basic Fee” which covers the services of the funeral director and the staff of the funeral home.  You are allowed, by law, to accept or decline any of the services or products on the General Price List, which the funeral home is required to show you.  The funeral home is not allowed to adjust any of the prices on the General Price List to compensate for the sales of any products or services you choose not to purchase, or choose to purchase from TributeDirect™.

How do you keep your prices so low, compared to funeral homes?
TributeDirect™ is a direct marketer of funerals products.  We do not have “middle men.”  We are not a funeral home or cemetery and so we do not have real estate, grounds maintenance, and personnel to pay for and then pass on those costs to our clients.  We get our products directly from the manufacturers and sell them directly to the buyer.  We pass the savings on to you, the customer.

Marker and Monument FAQs

Will a cemetery accept a marker purchased from Tribute?
Yes, cemeteries accept markers and monuments from 3rd party memorial companies.  TributeDirect™ works with you and the cemetery to ensure the marker or monument you purchase meets all the cemetery requirements.
                       
Can the cemetery charge me more for setting fees if I do not purchase from them?
Unfortunately, some cemeteries practice this.  However, in most cases, even with a higher installation fee, TributeDirect™ delivers significantly lower pricing on its memorials. 

Can I install the headstone myself?
Most often, this occurs in private, family cemeteries.  Check with your cemetery to be certain.

Do you have a guarantee on your memorials?
Yes, we offer a guarantee on all of our markers and monuments against natural defects and/or damage occurring during shipping.  Contact TributeDirect™ for additional requirements and limitations concerning our one-year and perpetual guarantees.

If I buy a pre-need headstone from TributeDirect™ who takes care of adding the dates of death to it?
Either we can arrange to have the dates of death engraved when the time comes or the family can.

Do you have a return or refund policy on memorials?
Because we have already obtained extensive approvals on design, type of stone and shipping fees (if applicable), and because the finished memorial is personalized and cannot be resold, we do not offer a return or refund on non-damaged memorials.  We do offer guarantees and refunds on damaged memorials either caused during shipping or by natural defects such as chipping.  Contact TributeDirect™ for additional requirements and limitations concerning our one-year and perpetual guarantees.

Does TributeDirect™ offer pet markers?
Yes, we help pet owners with this very special tribute by offering a selection of smaller markers.

How can I see what the stone will look like before its cut?
After we have confirmed how you would like the memorial designed, we sketch a scale drawing of the design and e-mail it to you for final approval.  Any changes that you request are completed and then a revised drawing is sent to you for approval.

How can I find out the status of my order?
Please feel free to contact TributeDirect™ anytime to check the status of your order.

How do I know that you meet the cemetery requirements and specifications for the headstone?
TributeDirect™ collects all cemetery requirements and specifications directly from the cemetery before beginning the initial design of the memorial to ensure the completed memorial is accepted by the cemetery.

How long will it take for the delivery of a customized headstone?
General, a memorial takes 8-12 weeks to complete.  It varies due to whether we have the stone in inventory, how large the memorial is, scheduling at the quarries we utilize, if custom design work is desired (e.g., Ceramic photos) and other factors beyond TributeDirect’s™ control.  If you have a specific date you would like to have the memorial installed (i.e., a birth date or anniversary), please convey that information to the TributeDirect™ representative and we will make every attempt to meet that date.

Do you need an approval from the cemetery before you deliver?
Not typically.  By the time the memorial is ready for delivery, TributeDirect™ has already fulfilled any requirements from the cemetery.

What do I do if I don’t like the layout of a marker that I have already paid for?
We are dedicated to providing you with a memorial that you are 100% satisfied.  Simply provide us with any design changes and we gladly implement them.

Can you guarantee the delivery date of my order?
Due to factors beyond our control, such as scheduling at the quarries where we obtain our stones as well as number of orders in our design and engraving departments, we do not guarantee delivery dates.  If you have a specific date (e.g., the deceased’s birth date) please advise a TributeDirect™ representative and we will make every attempt to meet that date.

What determines the delivery cost of a headstone?
For most of our flat markers, shipping fees are included in the advertised retail price.   Otherwise, shipping fees are based on memorial weight, destination, fuel service charges, and special delivery items (e.g., delivery to a residence).

Do you have any pictures of the granite colors?
   Yes, we do have photos of granite colors that we will be glad to send you via mail or e-mail.
  
Do you have any different colors of bronze besides the standard?
TributeDirect™ offers an extensive collection of bronze memorials in lustrous colors. Please contact a TributeDirect memorial specialist if you are interested in a custom colored bronze memorial.

Do you have any different bronze textures?
There are several different textures of bronze available.  Please contact a memorial specialist to discuss this option.

Can I get a headstone in a shape other than square?
 Yes, there are various shapes and sizes to choose from when selecting a memorial.  TributeDirect™ will gladly contact your cemetery to obtain information about its requirements on shape and size.

Do you have any colors in granite other than the ones you show on your website?
Yes, we offer a variety of colors that are not shown on our website.  Please contact TributeDirect™ and we will provide additional information based on your specific color.
 
If the cemetery won’t do the installation, who does?
TributeDirect™ can locate an outside memorial installation company that works with your cemetery to perform the installation.

If I want a photo on the marker, how much will that cost?
Depending on the size and whether you want a black and white or color photo, the price for photos range from $155 to $675.  Prices may vary and change at any time without notice. Additional charges may apply for frames, background removal, and combining two separate individuals together on one photo.