One myth we often hear in the monument industry is that headstones are too expensive, bordering on unaffordable for average Americans. While the cost of a headstone can vary greatly, there are many options for families with different budgets.
Generally speaking, a headstone can be as expensive as you want.
There’s a wide variety of memorial types, sizes and custom details that impact cost. Expensive is a subjective term and is dependent on a family’s budget and circumstances. A simple, basic granite headstone can start as low as $600, but averages about $1200, and is made to last forever.
For a closer look at what your memorial will likely cost, take a look at our comprehensive Memorial Cost Guide.
What Impacts the Cost of a Headstone?
Headstones don’t have a standard sticker price because there are many unique steps that go into making a headstone customized just for you. The granite used to make them has to be sourced, usually from a quarry, and then cut into the desired shape, polished, personalized and transported.
Granite quality (called grade), color and craftsmanship will impact the final cost. Working with a memorial provider that has a deep-rooted relationship with granite partners safeguards your memorial from discoloring, chipping or degrading over time—ultimately extending your investment.
Once the stone arrives at Milano Monuments, designs like etchings, engravings and photos are added to personalize the stone.
Designs range from basic and simple to elaborate and ornate, and can be customized to fit any budget. Ornamental lettering and carvings, including long or short epitaphs, quotes, Bible verses, religious symbols and drawings are added using your choice of fonts and carving techniques. Ultimately, the amount of personalization and level of detail impact your memorial’s final cost.
Another cost to keep in mind is the fee for erecting and placing the stone at the cemetery or the person’s final resting place.
Types of Headstones and Their Costs
Below is a general list of the types of memorials available and the price range for each. Note: granite is the preferred stone because of its durability. Other materials, like marble, are avoided because they are too soft and porous.
- Lawn-Level Memorial: Considered a “basic stone,” lawn-level memorials sit flush with the ground and are typically rectangular or square-shaped. They range from $599 - $1,500 for an individual, and $1,199 - $2,500 for a companion.
- Bronze Memorial: Often mounted on a granite base, bronze memorials sit flush with or are slightly raised off the ground. Bronze memorials vary broadly in price due to the possibility of using bronze on a flush, bevel, slant or upright memorial. Individual memorials can cost $795 or more, while companion memorials can cost $2,240 or more.
- Bevel Memorial: Also called a “pillow,” bevel memorials rise a few inches above the ground and have a slight sloping shape. They range from $900 - $2,195 for an individual, and $1,700 - $3,700 for a companion.
- Slant Memorial: Slant memorials are cut at an angle to allow inscriptions to be seen from a distance. Individual slant memorials can cost $1,250 or more, and companion slant memorials can cost $1,800 or more.
- Upright Monument: These large memorials are built to be noticed from afar. They are most commonly designed as rectangles or with rounded edges, but upright memorials can also be uniquely shaped and/or accompanied by a statue. Single monuments cost $1,900 or more, companion monuments cost $2,150 or more and family monuments cost $3,120 or more.
Making Your Budget Work
Our team at Milano Monuments is happy to work with you, no matter your budget, to create a memorial that honors your loved one. We can help you choose an affordable stone (tip: ask your memorial specialist about current inventory specials available to you), then work together to design a memorial that best fits your family. If we know ahead of time that you would like to add customizations (like inscriptions or photos) at a later date, we can make sure enough space is left on the headstone for the future addition.
We are also able to make add-ons to headstones we didn’t create. We do this by visiting the memorial and taking a rub or tracing of the stone. From there, we can determine how much space is available, the sizing of the letters, what can be added and where, and the additional cost to you.
Affordable Add-Ons to Consider
When it comes to creating a memorial, there is a variety of affordable ways to embellish and personalize your design. Here are a few add-ons to consider:
- Add frosted paneling. A sandblasting technique is used to lighten the color of the stone, creating a contrast between the sandblasted panel and surrounding surface.
- Incorporate a picture in your memorial design. From hand and laser etching to ceramic and porcelain, we have photo options for every budget.
- Add a hand-carved rose or butterfly. This carving technique gives a beautiful 3D effect to the flower or butterfly on the memorial.
Uncover More About the Cost of Memorials
Interested in more information on memorial costs and design? Take a look at our complete Memorial Cost Guide where you’ll find four cost factors to consider and tips to get started with your memorial design.
