Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure .
Are you interested in learning more about wholesale headstones and monuments? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
The cost of a headstone&#;also known as a gravestone or tombstone&#;can vary based on the overall design, lettering, artwork, and the material used. Seemingly small details like the color and finish of a headstone can raise or lower the cost significantly.
Jump ahead to these sections:
If you're trying to purchase a headstone and you're confused about costs, you're not alone. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how much a headstone should cost plus cost-saving tips anyone can use.
Tip: Paying for a headstone, in addition to all of the other end-of-life expenses you might be dealing with, isn't always easy. A is a valuable option worth considering if you need help covering those costs. Cake's online memorial fundraisers are a completely free option that you can add when you create a memorial page.
Headstone Prices in
The price of a headstone in is in the range of $500 to $10,000. Costs vary depending on the type of headstone, the material, and the level of customization you choose.
In times of grief, the last thing you should have to worry about is negotiating the price of a headstone for your loved one. Keep these averages in mind as you shop around. Knowing how much a headstone should cost will help make sure you're getting a fair deal.
Headstone types and cost
Standard flat headstones cost around $500-$1,500, though you'll find options under and over that range, as well. More detailed, upright headstones cost around $1,500-$5,000 as you'll see with and .
Higher-quality individual headstones, as well as family and companion headstones, can cost from $5,000 to as much as $10,000 or more.
Headstone material cost
The most obvious cost associated with a headstone is the stone itself. Stone may seem like a low-cost material at first glance. However, the stone used to create headstones took thousands of years to form. It's highly durable but also a nonrenewable resource, which is what makes it so valuable.
There are two primary stone options for headstones: granite and marble.
The most common headstone material today . Different colors come from distant locations all around the world, so the color of granite you choose will affect the price. More exotic stone has to be shipped and taxed, which will add to the cost.
However, granite is popular because it's durable and relatively affordable, no matter the color. The average headstone cost is around $550.
, but many people prefer its more polished appearance.
Marble headstones also weather more quickly than granite headstones. Keep in mind that you may have to invest more in upkeep to keep it looking its best. The average cost of a marble headstone is $2,000 to $2,500.
Headstone engraving cost
In addition to the actual stone material, creating a headstone requires skilled engraving. Headstone engraving can vary in cost based on how detailed an inscription you request.
Headstone engraving costs an average of about $20 per character up to 20 or 30 characters in length. Additional lettering often costs less--around $10 per character.
If you order a standard headstone with your loved one's name, birth date, and death date, the cost will average around $500.
You may instead choose to have an engraved plaque rather than etching on the stone directly. Headstones often incorporate engraved bronze plaques, which are durable and cost-effective. A bronze plaque can also add detail to an otherwise simple flat headstone.
Bronze and aluminum memorial plaques cost between $150 and $300, on average. Very simple plates may cost less, while more substantial or intricate plaques can cost more.
Headstone installation cost
Installing a headstone is a crucial part of the process, so most cemeteries offer headstone installation services, at a cost.
If your cemetery doesn't offer the service, consider hiring a professional monument installation team. Installing a headstone yourself isn't generally recommended (although you may be permitted to do so, depending on the location).
Finished headstones are heavy, and you've made a significant investment up to this point. You want to make sure that the stone sits correctly and stays in place for the long term.
The process of installing a headstone involves precisely measuring the stone, digging a properly-sized hole where the headstone will sit, and often, placing a concrete base. Only medium- and large-sized headstones require concrete foundations. If you have a small flat headstone, this step isn't necessary.
The average headstone installation cost is between $250 and $500. The price will depend on the amount of work required and the size of the monument. Companion headstone installation costs an average of $500 to $700. If the stone requires a concrete foundation, that will cost extra.
Headstone maintenance cost
The cost of a headstone doesn't end once it's safely in the ground. Although headstones are made of sturdy materials they still need regular maintenance.
Of course, you can perform maintenance on your loved one's headstone yourself&#;check out our guide on how to clean a headstone.
But professional headstone cleaners often have techniques that make the process easier and increase the longevity of the stone. Additionally, you may not always want to take on the responsibility of hands-on grave maintenance.
Headstone maintenance companies generally charge between $50 and $200 for headstone cleaning. You can even add services like flower planting and grass watering.
Headstone restoration cost
In addition to regular maintenance, headstones need occasional restoration and repair. Wind, rain, and temperature changes all wear on the stone's finish and details. If a headstone has damage, it's best to get the restoration done sooner, rather than later.
Headstone restoration can involve resurfacing, or even wholly reinstalling, the concrete foundation to keep the headstone upright. It can also include detailing the headstone's engraving and restoring the surface of the stone to its former luster with careful polishing.
Headstone restoration costs vary widely based on the state of the headstone. A more damaged headstone will cost more to restore. A gravestone that's in good shape, aside from some faded lettering, won't cost very much to repair.
Contact a professional monument company in your area to find out what they charge for the type of restoration you need.
Other factors that affect headstone prices
We've covered the average cost of the necessary headstone materials and services, including creation and installation. But there are additional details to consider, which can increase the cost of a headstone.
If you want to add accessories like full-color ceramic images, vases, sculptures, or statues, you'll need to take price into account.
The average costs listed here are just a general starting point. Cemeteries and monument services charge varying rates for headstone creation, engraving, and installation. Ask the cemetery or business for a full list of their prices, and don&#;t be afraid to ask questions about cost.
Buying a Headstone Online vs. In Person
Just like you would do with any other significant purchase, you&#;d be wise to compare buying a headstone online vs. buying one in person. But can you really buy a headstone online? Yes, you can!
Here are some of the points to be aware of when it comes to buying a headstone online vs. buying one from a brick-and-mortar shop or a cemetery.
Price
The first important factor is the price of the headstone. Headstones are large and heavy, which means buying one online can actually cost just as much as buying one in person. You might find a less expensive headstone online at first glance, but once you factor in shipping, the price can quickly escalate.
With that said, if you&#;re purchasing a flat grave marker or a smaller headstone, you can likely find a better price online, even with shipping.
Note: Brick-and-mortar businesses that sell headstones have their own unique price lists and fees.
Because prices vary so much depending on the location, materials, and many other factors, we can&#;t provide an exact cost comparison for online headstones vs. headstones from a brick-and-mortar seller.
To find out how much a seller in your area charges for a specific type of headstone, we recommend visiting them in person or contacting them to ask for their catalog or price list.
The cost of a headstone from a local seller should be in the same realm as a similar headstone online. However, there are minor differences in quality and labor skill level that can make a big difference in the price of a headstone.
Ultimately, the best practice is to shop around and keep a list of prices for comparison.
Quality
If you buy from a reputable online headstone retailer, you can expect the same quality that you&#;d find at a brick-and-mortar shop.
Here are a couple of highly rated (Trust Pilot) online headstone sellers to consider:
You can also find customizable headstones on platforms like Amazon and Etsy. However, you&#;ll need to make sure you look into the specific seller and seek out reviews for their products.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of european granite tombstone. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Before you buy, it&#;s a good idea to look at the company&#;s return policy, since accidents can happen during shipping. If they don&#;t offer complete refunds, or they require you to purchase shipping insurance, you might choose to buy in person instead.
Variety
A cemetery, funeral home, or in-person monument shop will almost always have fewer options than an online retailer. That&#;s because they can&#;t keep as much stock on hand.
However, your in-person seller likely has a catalog you can look through, full of more options than they have in the shop. If requested, the retailer can often order any headstone from the catalog.
Discounts and packages
Buying a headstone or grave marker from the cemetery or funeral home sometimes means you can benefit from a discount &#;package.&#;
For example, the cemetery might offer a slight discount on a headstone if you buy it at the same time as you buy a grave plot. The funeral home might have packages that include a headstone, headstone installation, and a casket.
Funeral homes and cemeteries might also partner with local monument shops to offer package discounts.
If you buy a headstone online, you won&#;t be able to take advantage of this kind of discount. However, you also won&#;t feel pressured to buy other products and services at the same time.
Installation process
It&#;s important to consider how you&#;ll install the headstone after you receive it. If you buy the headstone from a cemetery or funeral home, you might be offered installation for free or at a reduced cost.
Depending on the cemetery, you may be able to install the headstone yourself or pay someone to do so. Some cemeteries require that their own staff installs the headstone, while others don&#;t.
If you buy a headstone online or from any third party, you&#;ll need to make sure that it can be installed properly by the cemetery or someone else. This includes buying the proper hardware and understanding the installation process for the type of marker you buy.
Cemetery rules
Speaking of cemetery rules, this is an important point to consider when you&#;re buying a headstone. While you can find more variety online, the cemetery may not allow every type of headstone. Make sure you ask for a list of the cemetery&#;s restrictions and regulations before you buy a marker from a third party.
Personalization and buying experience
There&#;s a certain buying experience that you can get in person that you can&#;t achieve online. When you&#;re buying a headstone, it can sometimes help to visit the monument shop or funeral home and see examples up close and personal.
You can ask for examples of different engraving styles and lettering, and you might even be able to take some stone samples with you to show family and friends. You can also more easily request alterations to the headstone engraving than you can when you order online.
A headstone doesn't have to cost a fortune. There are several ways to save money on your headstone purchase.
An important note! If you're trying to buy a headstone for a United States Veteran, you may be able to attain one for free. Visit the VA's National Cemetery Administration to find out how.
Plan ahead
You can get a better deal on a headstone purchase by shopping ahead of time or making prepaid plans. You might buy your headstone to save your family undue stress in the event of your death.
Or you and your family might pick out headstones together, getting all of the stones sorted out well ahead of time. Either way, you'll be able to choose a headstone design that suits you, from a business that has reasonable prices. You can even get some of the engraving out of the way early.
Planning these details out in advance allows you to price-shop without being rushed. When you're grieving for a loved one, you might not have the time, energy, or desire to shop around for the best prices and quality.
Shopping ahead of time will also allow you to buy stones from businesses that aren't necessarily in your immediate area, but make sure you keep shipping costs in mind.
Also, know that you don't always have to purchase the headstone from a funeral home, and .
Go minimal
If you're happy with a more minimal headstone design, you can save a lot of money. An upright headstone requires more finishing work, costs more to ship, and it can even require an entire concrete foundation to keep it upright.
On the other hand, a small flat or tilted headstone can cost the bare minimum and look just as beautiful. Consider relatively low-cost additions like a bronze or aluminum plaque.
Team up
If you want something more elaborate than a simple flat headstone, think about joining forces with your partner or family members. Buying a single companion headstone can sometimes cost less than purchasing and placing two individual headstones.
Additionally, you could invest in a family headstone or monument. With a more elaborate family stone, you can place minimal flat headstones for each individual and still enjoy an intricate upright headstone.
This method also has the benefit of getting everyone involved, which can reduce the average headstone cost for everyone. Additionally, a family monument and plot will serve your family for generations to come.
Ask about installment plans
Depending on the company, you might be able to pay for a headstone in installments. While most companies that offer this do so when purchasing a headstone before it is needed, it never hurts to ask if you can purchase a headstone for immediate need but pay over time.
Headstone Price FAQ
We know this is a lot of information and you might still have a burning question or two. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about headstone pricing.
What's the least expensive type of headstone?
The least expensive type of headstone will be a flat grave marker. These typically come in metal or granite and can be engraved and customized.
What's the most expensive type of headstone?
The most expensive type of headstone is a family or companion headstone made of marble. These headstones are usually a few feet tall, are highly customized, and are crafted from more expensive marbles.
Why are headstones so expensive?
The cost of a headstone depends on factors like the material it's made of, the degree of customization, requirements for installation, and the type of headstone itself. The cost will increase or decrease depending on the quality of the material, the amount of engraving, and how large the headstone is.
Do you have to buy a headstone?
When a person is buried, the cemetery will typically place small a metal marker on the plot with a paper insert denoting the plot number and the name of the person buried. This is a small temporary marker and is not intended to substitute for a headstone. If the family wants a marker for their loved one's grave, then they'll need to purchase a headstone.
Can you be buried without a headstone?
The burial almost always occurs before the headstone is purchased and laid. The plot is then marked by the cemetery until the family finishes purchasing the headstone and has it delivered to the cemetery for installation.
Can you use your own headstone?
While you can purchase a headstone from a retailer other than the cemetery or funeral home, it's important to understand what cemetery regulations require. If you have a headstone that fits cemetery regulations, then you should be able to use it. If, however, the regulations are not met, the cemetery won't allow it.
Can you install a headstone yourself?
Cemeteries all have their own rules and restrictions regarding headstone installation. Due to insurance and liability purposes, you will not be allowed to install a headstone yourself.
Purchasing a headstone is one of the final things to do when laying a loved one to rest. Purchasing wisely means understanding the costs and factors that influence the price before picking one out. No matter what type of material you choose, how simply or elegantly you customize it, and what type of marker you pick, you can honor your loved one while still keeping the cost budget-friendly.
" NFDA General Price List Study." NFDA New Releases, NFDA, 4 November . Nfda.org
&#;FAQ - Monument Lettering.&#;
Monument Lettering
.
Monumentlettering.com
&#;Headstones, Markers and Medallions.&#;
US Department of Veteran Affairs
.
Cem.va.gov
For more information, please visit simple character outdoor marble fountain.