Types of Headstones: Designs, Cost Factors, & Considerations
Headstones are exceptional monuments that show your care and love for those who have passed on, but trying to choose the right one is challenging when you’re already grieving and dealing with so many other details.
At Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, we’re committed to making the funeral planning experience as stress-free as possible. We’ve created this guide to help you easily compare the various styles of headstones, and our team can even help you decide which one would be best for honoring your loved one.
Flat/Flush
The simplest headstone is a flat or flush marker that’s intended for horizontal installation at the top of the grave. This kind of marker allows for easy mowing and cleaning, which is why you’ll find them in many graveyards and memorial sites, and some sites may even require them.
These markers are made from eye-catching marble and durable bronze, allowing for plenty of decorative customization despite the streamlined style. Flat and flush markers vary in size, so contact the graveyard where you plan to install the headstone for sizing requirements.
When comparing costs, flat/flush markers are by far the most affordable option, starting at below $1,000 in some cases.
Some people even choose to start with a simple flat marker since they can be produced quickly and use it as a temporary headstone until a more complex design is completed.
Bevel
If you’re looking for an affordable and low-impact headstone style that’s still raised and easy to read, a bevel design could be a good option. Bevel markers feature a raised plinth, but the top is angled to drain water off and keep the height low for easier trimming by the caretakers. The angled display is easy to spot while walking by, especially if you add complex carvings or a photographic image.
Marble is the material most commonly used for this kind of stone, and bezel designs often cost between $1,000 and $2,000. One option to make this style of stone stand out more is to add a bronze plaque or highlights to get the best of both materials.
Slant
While bevel headstones are carved from a single piece of stone and rise only a few inches, slant headstones feature an upright plinth rising from a horizontal base. The top is steeply slanted, making it even easier to view than the bevel type. The upper edge of the vertical plinth is often shaped into a symbolic or sculptural figure to further decorate it.
Slanted headstones offer more space for adding names, stories, and medallions that honor veterans and others. You can fit much more complex carved or printed designs on these headstones than you can on flat and bevel designs. They also come with a correspondingly higher price, with most slant headstones costing at least $1,500 for a small design and $2,000 and up for larger ones. Most are made with marble, but some designs combine durable stone with marble plaques for a distinguished look.
Upright
The most classic design for a headstone is upright. Most people think of this style first when they think of a headstone or grave marker. While it’s not your only option, it is a classic choice that fits into most budgets. Upright headstones can range in size and complexity, but they’re easily customized and offer plenty of upper edge for shaping and sculptural decoration. You can generally choose between single and double gravestones in this style, with space left for a partner or family member intended to share a memorial plot. Most upright gravestones are still made with marble, but you can choose bronze designs or stones that combine both materials into one monument.
Upright tends to have the most varied prices compared to other marker types, with simple monuments available for as little as $1,000 and more complex double designs costing more than $4,000. When shopping for upright headstones, it’s often best to start with a budget first and then look for options to narrow down the field, rather than trying to compare them all from the start.
Ledger
The ledger gravestone is horizontal, but unlike a smaller plaque, it covers half to all of the grave’s length. They’re generally cut to the width of the grave as well, providing lots of extra space for commemorating a lifetime of achievements and service. It’s also a great way to showcase advanced carvings, photographic displays, or a favorite poem. Since they’re often installed flush with the soil, it’s easy to trim around the edges and keep the marble or bronze polished.
Ledger stones are often paired with an upright marker at the top to further accent the display. Due to the far greater amount of marble or bronze required for this style, you can expect to spend a minimum of $4,000 to $5,000 for them before carving and other customization. The price largely depends on the amount of grave space you intend to cover.
Get Help From Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons
Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons has helped families throughout Sterling Heights and Shelby Township for four generations. We’re available 24/7 to help guide you through this difficult time, whether through our partnered grief support services or our collaborative planning process.
Contact us today, and let us know how we can help you.
