Black Headstone

Black Granite, By Style

Black granite comes in four core shapes at Signature Headstones: flat, pillow, slant, and upright, so you can match the shape your cemetery allows before choosing a size. All four shapes are available in Black and Imperial Black stone.

Flat markers lie level with the lawn and fit almost any lawn section; browse the smallest sizes on the Flat Headstones hub. Pillow markers rest on the ground with a sloped top, from a 20″ x 10″ x 6″ size up to a 36″ x 12″ x 6″ size, on the Pillow Headstones hub. Slant markers stand on a separate base, on the Slant Headstones hub. Upright monuments sit on bases from 24″ to 66″ wide; compare them on the Upright Headstones hub.

Matching Size to Your Cemetery's Rules

Every cemetery sets its own rules for what a headstone can look like in a given section, and confirming those rules before you order is the most important step in the process. Our black granite sizes range from a compact 16″ x 8″ x 3″ flat marker up through slant markers like the 20″ x 10″ x 16″ Slant Headstones and uprights such as the 36″ x 6″ x 24″ Upright Headstones, with bases up to 66″ wide.

Before ordering, ask your cemetery to confirm: which styles are allowed in your section (many lawn sections permit flat markers only), the maximum size and thickness permitted, whether a poured concrete or granite foundation is required and who installs it, whether a plot number must be engraved, and any color restrictions. Cemeteries enforce these rules and charge their own setting or foundation fee separately from the headstone price. The FTC Funeral Rule protects families shopping at funeral homes, not cemeteries or monument dealers, so your cemetery's written rules are what govern here; the Monument Builders of North America is a useful independent resource on how monument sizing commonly works.

Veteran families should also know that the VA furnishes a government headstone, marker, or medallion at no charge for an eligible veteran in any cemetery, though setting fees at a private cemetery remain the family's responsibility; see VA headstones, markers and medallions for program details and how to apply for VA memorial items for eligibility and the required form.

Single, Companion, or Special Shape in Black

Black granite isn't limited to a single name on one stone; the catalog also includes companion layouts and special shapes. For one person, the Single Upright Headstones collection carries black granite sizes with a Single stone-type option in the design app. For two names on one monument, choose Companion in the Stone Type option, starting from the Double Headstones hub or the Married Couple Husband and Wife Headstones collection, both available in Black and Imperial Black granite.

For something other than a rectangle, black granite is also available in heart and double-heart designs through the Heart Shaped Headstone collection. Whichever shape you choose, confirm Black or Imperial Black in the Stone option before finalizing your proof.

Adding a Vase, Base, or Portrait

Yes, you can add a vase, base, or ceramic portrait to most black granite shapes, selected inside the design app rather than as separate products. Slant markers can include one or two vases and a base from 24″ up to 66″ wide; a 20″ x 10″ x 16″ slant with a 30″ base and vase runs $1,999 to $2,449, and a 30″ x 10″ x 16″ slant with a 42″ base and two vases runs $2,699 to $3,049. Upright monuments sit on their own wide granite base by design.

Ceramic photo portraits are a separate product in black & white or color, kiln-fired and inlaid flush, and they pair well with black or Imperial Black granite because the polished background keeps the portrait and lettering easy to read. The design app shows which vase, base, and portrait options are compatible with the size and style you've chosen.

What Happens After You Order

Once you approve your black granite proof, production begins and the order becomes final, so take your time on the layout before submitting it. You can make design changes at no charge any time before production starts; once production begins, custom orders are final and not eligible for cancellation or refund, and any post-production change carries a fee based on order status, ranging from a modest amount up to the full cost of the order. Inspect the packaging before you sign for delivery, and report any damage in writing within 10 days; Signature Headstones will replace items damaged in transit at no charge. Cemetery setting fees are arranged separately with your cemetery. When you're ready, scroll back up to browse the black granite flat, pillow, slant, and upright markers in the grid above.

Frequently asked questions

Is black granite more expensive than grey or other colors?

Not necessarily. Black and Imperial Black granite are priced the same as other colors for the same size and style, so a 16″ x 8″ x 3″ flat marker is $199 to $299 regardless of color. Price depends mainly on size, shape, and add-ons like a base or vase.

Does black granite show engraving and photos as clearly as lighter stones?

Black granite's deep polish creates strong contrast with sand-carved or laser-etched lettering and ceramic photo portraits, which is why it's our most requested color. Many families find names, dates, and photos easier to read on black or Imperial Black stone than on lighter granite. Granite is a natural material, so some variation in color and grain is normal, not a defect.

Can I add a vase or base to a black flat or slant marker?

Flat markers lie flush with the ground and typically skip a vase, while slant markers sit on a separate granite base and can include one or two vases, sometimes bundled together. Check each product page for available base and vase options.

Can I get a black headstone for two names or a special shape like a heart?

Yes. Choosing Companion instead of Single in the Stone Type option lets you lay out two names on one black granite monument, and heart-shaped designs are also available in black granite.

What if I need to change the layout after I've already approved my proof?

Changes are free any time before production begins, so review your proof carefully before approving it. Once production starts, the order is final, and any required change afterward carries a fee that can range from a modest amount up to the full cost of the order. Report any shipping damage in writing within 10 days of delivery with photos to start a replacement claim.

Why Signature Headstones

Signature Headstones keeps more than a million pounds of granite in stock, which is part of how we support a 30-day turnaround on in-stock sizes rather than the longer waits common at a traditional monument shop. We've produced more than 5,000 memorials for families across the country, and our reviews average 4.82 out of 5 across 437-plus customers who ordered black, grey, and other granite online without a showroom visit. Every headstone carries our 500-year guarantee that the stone will remain beautiful, and support is available by phone and email seven days a week if you have questions about sizing, your cemetery's rules, or your proof before you approve production.