Memorial Button Planning Timeline | When to Order Funeral Buttons
Share
Memorial Button Planning: A Complete Timeline Guide
Planning a memorial service involves countless details, and memorial buttons are one meaningful element that requires proper timing. Understanding when to order memorial buttons ensures they arrive when needed while giving you time to make thoughtful design choices. This comprehensive timeline guide helps you plan ahead for this important keepsake.
Understanding Production and Shipping Times
Before diving into the timeline, it's important to understand how memorial button production works. At MemorialButtonsFast.com, we guarantee 24-hour production once you approve your digital proof. However, the complete timeline includes several steps:
1. **Ordering and photo upload** - Takes 10-15 minutes on your end
2. **Design and proof creation** - We complete within 4 business hours
3. **Your review and approval** - Can be immediate or take a day
4. **Production** - Guaranteed within 24 hours of approval
5. **Shipping** - Typically 2-3 days for standard, next-day available
Total timeline with standard shipping: 4-6 days from order to delivery. With our 24-hour guarantee and overnight shipping: 2-3 days possible.
Ideal Timeline: 7-10 Days Before Service
The ideal timeline provides comfortable buffer room without rushing. Ordering memorial buttons 7-10 days before the service allows time for:
- **Day 1:** Place your order and upload photos
- **Day 2:** Receive and review digital proof, request any adjustments
- **Day 3:** Approve final design
- **Day 4:** Production begins (24-hour guarantee)
- **Day 5:** Buttons ship with 2-3 day delivery
- **Day 7-8:** Buttons arrive with several days to spare
This timeline means buttons arrive 2-3 days before the service, giving you time to organize distribution and ensure everything looks perfect.
Common Timeline: 3-5 Days Before Service
Many families order memorial buttons 3-5 days in advance. This timeline works well when:
- Death wasn't unexpected and you had time to prepare
- You have photos readily available
- You know which design you want
- The service date is confirmed
**Timeline breakdown:**
- **Day 1 (Morning):** Order placed with photo
- **Day 1 (Afternoon):** Proof received and approved same day
- **Day 2:** Production begins & order is prepared for shipment
- **Day 2:** Order is transferred to the delivery company (UPS/FedEx/USPS)
- **Day 3-7:** Buttons arrive before service
This timeline requires being responsive to proof approval but works perfectly with our fast production guarantee.
Last-Minute Timeline: 48-72 Hours Before Service
Sometimes circumstances require last-minute memorial button orders. While stressful, it's definitely manageable with proper planning:
**Choose express production and overnight shipping immediately.** Call 916-245-0163 rather than ordering online for fastest service.
**Have everything ready before calling:**
- High-resolution photo selected
- Text information prepared (full name, birth/death dates)
- Design choice decided
- Credit card ready
**Approve proof immediately** when received. Check email constantly and respond within the hour.
**Select overnight shipping** (FedEx or UPS Next Day Air). While expensive, it guarantees arrival.
**Have a backup plan** just in case. Consider having buttons shipped to the funeral home rather than your home if that's closer to the delivery service route.
Last-minute orders are possible, but they require higher shipping costs and immediate responsiveness on your part.
## What If the Service Is Tomorrow?
If you absolutely need memorial buttons for a service happening tomorrow, here's what to do:
**Call us immediately at 916-245-0163.** Explain your situation. We've helped many families in urgent circumstances and can often accommodate same-day or next-morning needs depending on your location.
**Ask the funeral home for flexibility.** Sometimes memorial buttons can be distributed at the reception following the service rather than at the service itself, buying you an extra day.
Planning for Upcoming Memorial Dates
Many families order memorial buttons for annual memorial dates, birthdays, or death anniversaries. For these occasions, you typically have more time to plan:
- **3-4 weeks ahead:** Ideal for anniversary orders when you want several options to review or are creating a new design not used at the original service
- **2 weeks ahead:** Comfortable timeline that allows standard shipping and avoids rush fees
- **1 week ahead:** Still plenty of time with our 24-hour production guarantee
Pre-planning for known dates eliminates stress and often results in more thoughtful design choices since you're not under time pressure.
Ordering for Multiple Services or Viewings
Some families hold multiple services in different locations or have both a viewing and a formal service. Here's how to plan:
**Order larger quantities** to cover all events. Memorial buttons are affordable, and it's better to have extras than run short.
**Ship to earliest location needed.** If the viewing is before the service, ship buttons there first.
**Consider different sizes.** 3-inch buttons for the service, 2.25-inch buttons for daily wear afterward.
**Plan for 2-3 extra days** when coordinating multiple events and locations.
Tips for Smooth Memorial Button Ordering
**Gather information early.** Even before finalizing service details, start collecting photos and thinking about designs. Being prepared means you can order immediately when timing is confirmed.
**Choose photos in advance.** Look through photo collections during quiet moments, not in the stress of immediate planning. Select 3-4 options so you have backups if one doesn't work well.
**Save our contact information.** Add 916-245-0163 to your phone and bookmark MemorialButtonsFast.com. When the time comes, you won't waste minutes searching.
**Communicate with family.** Designate one person to handle memorial button ordering. Too many voices can delay decision-making during time-sensitive situations.
**Read the ordering guide.** Our [how-to guide](/pages/how-to-order) walks through every step so you know what to expect.
What Happens After Ordering
Once you place your order:
1. You'll receive an order confirmation email immediately
2. Our design team begins working on your proof within 4 business hours
3. You'll receive a proof email with a link to review your design
4. You approve, request changes, or ask questions
5. Once approved, production begins within our 24-hour guarantee
6. You receive a tracking number when buttons ship
7. Buttons typically arrive 2-3 business days later with standard shipping, depending on your location.
Emergency Contact Information
If you're in an urgent situation and need memorial buttons immediately, call us at 916-245-0163 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM Pacific Time). Leave a message after hours and we'll call you first thing in the morning.
We've spent 20+ years helping families during difficult times. We understand the stress of memorial planning and do everything possible to ensure your memorial buttons arrive when you need them.
For the best experience and peace of mind, order memorial buttons 7-10 days before your service. But know that even with shorter timelines, our 24-hour production guarantee means we've got you covered.
Start planning your today.
---
**About MemorialButtonsFast.com:** Family-owned since 2003, we've helped over 50,000 families create meaningful memorial tributes with our 24-hour production guarantee and hand-edited photos.