Popular Styles

Signature Headstones' Popular Styles collection brings together flat markers, pillow markers, slant monuments, upright monuments, and special shapes like hearts and angels in one place, with prices across the collection ranging from $199 to $8,599. The right style depends less on preference and more on what your cemetery's section allows, so before you fall in love with a shape, this guide walks you through the four core styles, companion layouts, and special memorials so you can order with confidence.

Flat, Pillow, Slant & Upright: How the Four Core Styles Compare

Flat markers sit lowest and cost least, while upright monuments stand tallest and cost most, with pillow and slant styles in between. A flat marker lies level with the lawn, like the 16″ x 8″ x 3″ flat headstone priced $199 to $299, and is generally the style most welcome in lawn-only sections. A pillow marker rests on the ground too, but rises with a gently sloped face; the 24″ x 12″ x 6″ pillow headstone runs $1,049 to $1,499. A slant marker stands upright on its own separate base with an angled face; the 20″ x 10″ x 16″ slant headstone with a 30″ base and vase is priced $1,999 to $2,449. An upright monument is the tallest of the four, a tablet set on a wider base; the 24″ x 6″ x 24″ upright headstone with a 36″ base runs $2,249 to $2,749. Monument dealers commonly price styles in this same order, from least to most material and labor; see Monument Builders of North America for general context. None of these prices include the cemetery's installation or foundation fee, which is billed separately.

Single or Companion: Choosing a Layout for One Name or Two

A companion headstone carries two names on one shared, wider stone, while a single headstone can still list two names on a more traditional single-stone footprint. The catalog's Stone Type option lets you choose Single or Companion when customizing many styles, so couples and family plots don't need two separate markers. A companion layout is typically built to give both names, both sets of dates, and a shared epitaph their own clear space side by side. Families who want two names on a single-stone footprint can browse single headstones for two names, while couples planning a shared memorial together often start with married couple husband and wife headstones. Width is the main constraint to watch, since a companion stone needs more room on the plot than a single marker.

Beyond the Standard Shape: Hearts, Angels & Special Memorials

Hearts, double hearts, and angel monuments offer a more personal shape than the four core styles, at a price that reflects the additional carving. A heart shaped headstone is a popular choice for a single loved one or a couple; the catalog's 34″ x 6″ x 44″ Double Stacked Heart with a 48″ base runs $3,299 to $3,799, and the 42″ x 6″ x 26″ Double Heart with a 54″ base is priced $3,599 to $3,999. Angel headstones bring a figurative element some families find comforting, and the broader special shape headstones collection covers these and other alternatives to the standard rectangle. Most of these shapes can carry a ceramic photo portrait or a clipart emblem through the online design app, the same as a standard slant or upright stone.

Stone Color & Base Options Across Every Style

Most styles in this collection are available in grey, black, Bahama Blue, blue, pink, and red granite, so the color decision is separate from the shape decision. Base widths vary by style and size, from 36 inches up to 66 inches, giving slant and upright monuments a stable footing sized to the stone above them. Black granite is a traditional, high-contrast choice many families choose for upright and companion monuments; browse the black headstone collection to see it across several styles. Red granite offers a warmer, distinctive look through the red granite headstones collection. Because color and base width are chosen independently from the style itself, you can start with the shape your cemetery allows and personalize the stone and base afterward.

Frequently asked questions

What's the real difference between a flat headstone and an upright monument?

A flat headstone lies level with the ground, while an upright monument stands as a tall tablet on its own, wider base. Flat markers are usually allowed in lawn sections, while uprights typically need a garden or traditional section. The height and footprint difference is also why upright monuments cost more, since they use more stone, a larger base, and more carving.

Will my cemetery tell me which styles are allowed before I order?

Yes, but it's the cemetery, not Signature Headstones, that sets the rules for each section, so confirm it in writing before you order. Rules can differ section to section within the same cemetery, so don't assume what's allowed near one grave applies to another.

What is a companion headstone, and how is it different from a single headstone for two names?

A companion headstone is a single, wider stone designed from the start to carry two names side by side, while a single headstone for two names uses a more traditional single-stone footprint but can still list both names. The decision comes down to footprint and layout, chosen through the catalog's Single or Companion stone-type option.

Do slant and upright headstones already include the base and vases, or are those extra?

It depends on the listing, but several slant and upright styles here include the base, and sometimes one or two vases, in the price shown. Always check the individual listing to confirm what's included, since this varies by style.

How much should I expect to spend depending on the style I choose?

Flat markers in this collection start at $199 to $299, pillow markers run $1,049 to $1,499, and slant monuments with a base and vase run $1,999 to $2,449. Upright monuments start around $2,249 and can reach $4,399 or more for larger sizes, while heart memorials run from about $3,299 up to $3,999 for the larger double-heart designs. Companion stones are priced by the specific style and width rather than a flat surcharge, so check the listing for the exact range.

Why order a headstone online from Signature Headstones instead of through the cemetery or a funeral home?

Signature Headstones designs and engraves granite in its own studio and backs every order with a 500-year guarantee that the stone will remain beautiful, with in-stock granite typically shipping within a 30-day turnaround. Standard shipping is free anywhere in the continental United States to a business address, and the online design app lets you lay out names, dates, and a photo yourself, with phone and email support seven days a week if you'd rather talk it through.

Can I add a heart shape, angel, or photo portrait to any of these popular styles?

In most cases, yes. The online design app included with your order can add a ceramic photo portrait, clipart emblem, or personalized engraving to flat, pillow, slant, and upright styles, as well as heart and angel shapes, though availability varies by product. If you're unsure what a cemetery allows for emblems or portraits, confirm that alongside your size and style questions.

Why Signature Headstones

Signature Headstones is a family-owned company that designs and engraves every memorial in its own granite studio, so the style, color, and layout you see in the design app are the ones that come out of production. Ready to choose? Browse the full range of flat, pillow, slant, upright, and special-shape headstones above and start customizing the one your cemetery allows.