I placed a CSA stone in a rural cemetery south of my home (Stillwater OK). I used a post hole digger to get down about 2 feet and a shovel to even the sides. Then I placed the stone in the "hole" and packed the dirt back in. I went back a year later and the stone had sagged to the side, sort of lop-sided.

To avoid this you might make a 2 X 4 form rectangle about 6 to 12 inches wide than the stone. When packing the dirt back in the hole around the stone, only fill to about 6 to 8 inches below gorund level. Then hold the 2x4 form above the stone and lower to the ground centering the stone as much as possible. Take with you some quickcrete (concrete) and several gallon jugs of water. Mix the quickcrete and pour inside your 2x4 form. Fill to the top of the form. It will take a day or two to dry. Then the form can come off and you have a sturdy base to keep the stone from falling over or tilting, like the one I placed did.

I hope this makes some sense.

Mahlon Erickson
Graves Registration Officer
Capt. David L. Payne, Camp 2,
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Stillwater OK