A headstone in the United States typically costs anywhere from about $500 for a simple flat marker to $3,000 or more for an upright headstone, and large custom monuments can run $10,000 or higher. The final bill also usually includes engraving, delivery and installation, and a foundation or setting fee charged by the cemetery. Material, size, design and the cemetery's rules drive most of the difference.
Prices vary considerably by region and by dealer, so the ranges below are approximate and meant to help you plan and compare quotes.
Typical price ranges by type
| Memorial type | What it is | Typical price range (stone and basic lettering) |
|---|---|---|
| Flat (flush) marker | Lies level with the ground | About $500 to $2,000 |
| Bronze flat marker on granite base | Cast bronze plaque on a stone base | About $1,000 to $3,500 |
| Bevel or slant marker | Low stone raised a few inches, with a sloped top | About $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Upright headstone (single) | Standing tablet on a base | About $1,500 to $5,000 |
| Companion upright headstone | Wider stone for two names | About $2,500 to $7,000 |
| Ledger | Flat slab covering the full grave | About $3,000 to $8,000 or more |
| Custom monument | Large or sculpted memorial, obelisk, bench or statue | $10,000 and up |
Cemetery fees and installation may or may not be included in a quote. Always ask what the price covers. For the differences between these styles, see headstone vs grave marker.
What drives the cost
Material
- Granite is by far the most common choice in the US. It is durable and comes in many colors. Gray granite tends to be the least expensive; black, red, blue and other colors cost more, sometimes considerably.
- Bronze is widely used for flat markers, particularly in memorial parks. It is durable but usually costs more than granite of a similar size.
- Marble was common in older cemeteries and is still available, but it weathers faster than granite and is less often recommended for new stones.
- Fieldstone or natural stone is sometimes used in green cemeteries, which may limit or prohibit polished markers.
Size and shape
Larger stones cost more in material and shipping. Custom shapes, serpentine tops, hearts and carved edges add cutting time. Thickness matters too: a thicker upright is heavier and more costly.
Finish
Polishing all sides costs more than polishing only the face. Rock-pitched (rough) edges are a common, slightly less expensive option.
Engraving and design
Basic lettering (name and dates) is usually included. Extra costs can come from:
- Additional names or longer inscriptions
- Emblems, religious symbols and carved flowers
- Laser-etched portraits or scenes, often a few hundred to over a thousand dollars
- Ceramic photo inserts
- Hand carving or sculpted elements
- Adding a second date later on a companion stone (typically a separate charge when the time comes)
Installation and delivery
Monument dealers usually charge for delivering and setting the stone. For upright stones, cemeteries often require a concrete foundation. Some dealers include these charges; others list them separately.
Cemetery fees to plan for
The headstone price is only part of the total. Cemeteries commonly charge:
| Fee | What it covers | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation or setting fee | Pouring the concrete base or setting the marker | About $200 to $1,000 or more |
| Installation or permit fee | Cemetery approval and oversight of an outside dealer's work | Often $100 to $500 |
| Marker care fee | Contribution to upkeep of memorials in some states or cemeteries | Varies |
| Inscription fee | Adding a name to an existing stone on site | Varies |
Some cemeteries require that you buy the marker from them or install it through them. Federal consumer rules protect your right to buy a casket elsewhere from a funeral home, but cemetery rules on markers vary by state. If a cemetery charges a large fee for installing a marker bought from an outside dealer, ask for the fee in writing and compare the total cost.
Cemetery rules affect what you can buy
Before ordering, get a copy of the cemetery's memorial regulations. They typically specify:
- Whether upright stones are allowed, or only flat or bevel markers
- Maximum and minimum dimensions
- Allowed materials (some sections require bronze)
- Whether foundations must be poured by the cemetery
- Timing (many require the ground to settle for several months after burial)
Memorial parks often allow only flush markers so that lawns can be mowed easily. Historic cemeteries sometimes have rules about matching the character of older sections. Ordering the wrong stone can mean an expensive remake.
Free headstones and markers for veterans
Eligible veterans are entitled to a government headstone or marker at no cost, whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private one. Options typically include upright marble or granite headstones and flat granite, marble or bronze markers. For veterans buried in a private cemetery with a privately purchased headstone, the VA can instead provide a bronze medallion to attach to it.
The government provides the marker, but in a private cemetery the family may still pay the cemetery's setting or foundation fee. In a VA national cemetery, installation is included. See who qualifies for burial in a national cemetery for eligibility.
How to save on a headstone
- Get more than one quote. Local monument dealers, cemetery offices and online sellers can differ significantly.
- Choose gray granite if color is not important.
- Keep the design simple. Standard fonts and a single emblem cost less than custom artwork.
- Consider a companion stone for a couple rather than two separate uprights.
- Check for veterans' benefits before buying.
- Ask about all fees in advance, especially foundation and installation charges.
- Read online-seller terms carefully, including shipping, damage policies and whether the stone meets your cemetery's rules.
How long it takes
A headstone is usually ordered a few weeks to a few months after the funeral. Many cemeteries want the ground to settle first. Once ordered, production and installation often take roughly 6 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer in spring before Memorial Day, when demand peaks. Plan ahead if you hope to have the stone in place for a particular date.