The Types Of Cemetery Headstones And Cost

When a loved one passes away, picking out a cemetery headstone is one of the more important tasks because this is what all visitors will see for years to come. Beautiful and creative headstones have been created, and these headstones are growing in popularity because families want to give their loved ones the headstone they deserve. 

What Is a Cemetery Headstone?

Cemetery headstones are most commonly made of marble and granite. They sit at the top of a grave to mark where a person has been buried after death. This gives the family something to look at when they visit their loved ones. 

Headstones have inscriptions on them, including the deceased's name, date of birth, date of death, epitaphs, art, and family members' names (e.g. children, husband, parents).

Many are buried with their spouses. In this case, the headstone would be a little larger, and one side would be dedicated to each of them. 

Types of Cemetery Headstones

There are a few different popular types of headstones a family can choose from. 

Upright Headstone

The upright headstone is the most common type of headstone. If you visit a cemetery, a majority of the headstone will be upright. This type of headstone requires a base for the tablet to sit on. The deceased's name, date of birth, and other information are engraved on the tablet. The tablet sits in a vertical or upright position. This is also a common headstone for those who want to be buried with a spouse.

Slant Headstone

The slant headstone is also common. This headstone does not require a base. However, bases are offered. The back of this headstone is straight, while the front of the headstone is slanted. There are varying degrees of slants to choose from. 

Flat Headstone

The flat headstone seems to be decreasing in popularity. Flat headstones are typically small, rectangular stones that are level with the ground. 

Bench Headstone

Bench headstones are a great way to give those who visit a loved one a place to sit and talk. Just as the name suggests, this headstone is a bench. Depending on the variation, the information can be engraved on the legs, the seat of the bench, or the back of the bench. 

Cost of Cemetery Headstones

The price of a headstone will vary depending on the type of headstone you choose and if it's a single or shared. Flat headstones are generally the cheapest; however, the price goes up for a shared upright headstone. There may be extra charges for any extra engravings or pictures that are added to the headstone. 

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