Upright Headstones

An upright headstone is a two-piece granite monument, a carved tablet set on a separate base, built to stand tall and stay legible for generations. Signature Headstones' upright headstones range from $1,999 to $3,999, in tablet sizes from 24"x6"x20" up to 48"x6"x24" with bases from 36" to 66" wide. Pick your size, base, stone color and vase option below, then finish the engraving and layout online before we carve it in our studio.

What Is an Upright Headstone?

An upright headstone is a two-piece granite memorial: a vertical tablet, usually about 6 inches thick, carved with the name, dates, and any wording, emblems, or artwork, set on a separate base that holds it stable and raises it above the lawn.

That's different from a flat headstone, which lies level with the grass with no separate base, or a slant headstone, a shorter marker with an angled face on a lower base. A pillow headstone sits between the two, low to the ground with a gently sloped top.

If you already know your cemetery section only allows flat or slant memorials, those collections are the better starting point; if uprights are allowed, you're in the right place.

Choosing the Right Size & Base for Your Cemetery

The right size for your upright headstone is whatever your cemetery's written rules allow for that section, so confirm the maximum height, width, thickness, and base size with the cemetery office before you order. Cemeteries also set their own rules on allowed colors or materials, whether a poured foundation is required, and whether the plot number must be engraved on the back or base, and most charge their own setting or foundation fee separate from the monument itself.

The FTC's Funeral Rule protects consumers buying from funeral homes, not cemeteries or monument dealers, so your cemetery's own written rules are what govern acceptance here.

Browse by tablet size to see exact dimensions and pricing: 24" x 6" x 20", 24" x 6" x 24", 30" x 6" x 20", 36" x 6" x 24", 42" x 6" x 24", and 48" x 6" x 24".

A larger cemetery lot with a wider plot can usually take a wider base and a taller tablet; a narrower single-grave space will often need the smaller sizes. We can't guarantee any cemetery's approval, so always get the size confirmed in writing first.

Single vs. Companion Upright Headstones

A single upright headstone carries one name and one set of dates, sized to fit a single grave space, while a companion upright is cut wider to hold two names, two sets of dates, and often a shared design element side by side on one tablet and base. Companion stones are the common choice for a married couple who want to be remembered together, even when the second person hasn't passed yet and their side is left blank for later engraving.

If you know you need a single-name layout, start with our Single Upright Headstones collection. For two names on one stone, look at our Double Headstones and Married Couple Husband and Wife Headstones collections, or browse Single Headstones for Two Names if you want a single tablet width to carry both names.

Stone Colors Available

Our upright headstones come in five granite colors: Bahama Blue, Black, Grey, Pink, and Red, each with its own natural grain and shade since granite is a quarried stone and no two pieces look identical. Grey is the most traditional and widely accepted color across cemeteries, while Black and Bahama Blue offer a deeper, more dramatic polish that shows engraving with strong contrast. Pink and Red granite bring a warmer tone and are a popular choice for a softer, personal memorial.

If you already have a color in mind, our Red Granite Headstones and Black Headstone collections make it easy to shop by shade. Some cemeteries also restrict stone color by section.

Adding Vases & Personalization

Our upright headstones are offered with no vase, a single vase, or two vases, each built into the base so it's permanently part of the monument rather than a separate piece on the lawn. A single vase typically centers below the tablet; two-vase layouts place one on each side and work well with companion stones carrying two names.

Choose the option that matches how your family plans to leave flowers at the grave, and confirm vase placement with the cemetery too. Beyond vases, every upright headstone goes through our online design process, where you choose the font, wording, any emblems or clipart, and the full layout, and review a proof before production begins.

Pricing, Shipping & Installation to Know Before You Order

Upright headstones in this collection range from $1,999 to $3,999, with price driven mainly by tablet size, base width, stone color, and vase option, and that price does not include installation. Signature Headstones offers free standard shipping anywhere in the continental US, though shipments go to a business address and Alaska, Hawaii, or residential deliveries carry an additional fee you can request from our team.

Granite is produced with a 30-day turnaround and covered by our 500-year guarantee that it will remain beautiful for generations. Installation, foundation, and any cemetery setting fees are paid directly to the cemetery and are not part of our price, so confirm that cost with the cemetery office alongside your size approval.

Monument dealers who require an in-person showroom visit commonly keep pricing behind a quote request; trade groups such as Monument Builders of North America can help you compare what's typical if you want a second reference point.

If your loved one was a veteran, the VA furnishes a government headstone, marker, or medallion at no charge in any cemetery, though setting fees at a private cemetery are the family's responsibility; see eligibility and how to apply before you order a private monument instead.

Headstone styles compared: flat, pillow, slant and upright

Style: Flat

Height: Level with the lawn, no raised tablet

Base: No separate base

Visibility: Low, reads only from directly above

Typical Use: Lawn sections that restrict upright monuments

Style: Pillow

Height: Low profile with a gently sloped top

Base: No separate base

Visibility: Slightly more visible than flat

Typical Use: Sections allowing a modest raised marker

Style: Slant

Height: Short, angled tablet face

Base: Set on a lower base

Visibility: Easily read while walking by

Typical Use: A middle ground between flat and upright

Style: Upright

Height: 24"x6"x20" to 48"x6"x24" tablet

Base: 36" to 66" wide base

Visibility: Tall and visible from a distance

Typical Use: Traditional single or companion memorial

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an upright headstone and a flat or slant marker?

An upright headstone is a two-piece monument with a vertical tablet, carved with the name and dates, set on a separate base so it stands well above the ground. A flat marker lies level with the lawn with no raised tablet or base, and a slant marker is a shorter tablet with an angled face set on a lower base. Uprights are the most visible option and the traditional choice where cemetery rules allow them.

What size upright headstone and base do I need for my loved one's plot?

It depends on the plot width and your cemetery's rules. Our tablets run from 24"x6"x20" up to 48"x6"x24", paired with bases from 36" to 66" wide. Smaller single graves typically take the smaller sizes, while wider companion plots can often accommodate the larger ones. Confirm the exact maximum your cemetery allows before ordering.

Will my cemetery allow an upright headstone, and who confirms the size rules?

Only your cemetery can confirm whether upright monuments are permitted in your loved one's section and what size, thickness, and material they allow. Call the cemetery office directly and get the rules in writing before you order; we can design and ship the monument but cannot guarantee any cemetery's approval.

Can I order an upright headstone with a vase, or add one later?

You can choose a version with no vase, a single vase, or two vases at the time of order, since the vase is built into the granite base as part of the monument. Two-vase layouts are common on companion stones carrying two names, with one vase on each side. Decide on placement before ordering, since it's part of the base design rather than a separate accessory.

What's the difference between a single and a companion upright headstone?

A single upright headstone is sized and designed to carry one name and one set of dates. A companion upright is a wider tablet designed to carry two names and two sets of dates side by side on one monument, which is the common choice for a married couple. Both styles still need to fit within your cemetery's size rules for the plot.

What stone colors are available for upright headstones?

This collection offers five granite colors: Bahama Blue, Black, Grey, Pink, and Red. Grey is the most traditional and widely accepted shade, Black and Bahama Blue give a deeper polished contrast for engraving, and Pink and Red offer a warmer tone. Since granite is a natural material, expect some variation in color and grain even within the same stone choice.

Does the price include installation or the cemetery's foundation fee?

No. Our prices cover the headstone itself and free standard shipping in the continental US, and do not include installation, foundation, or any setting fee charged by the cemetery. Those costs are paid directly to the cemetery or its installer and vary by location, so confirm them with the cemetery office alongside your size approval.

How long does it take to receive a custom upright headstone, and can I make changes after ordering?

Granite headstones are produced on a 30-day turnaround. You can make changes at no charge before production begins; once production starts, the order is final, and any required change afterward may carry a fee. Report any shipping damage in writing within 10 days of delivery so we can replace it at no charge.

Why Signature Headstones

Signature Headstones designs and engraves upright headstones in our own studio, using more than a million pounds of in-stock granite. Our online design tool lets you build the layout, choose wording, emblems, and photos, and review a proof before anything is carved, so you never need a showroom visit. Families have trusted us for more than 5,000 memorials, and our team is available seven days a week by phone or email if you have questions about sizing, cemetery rules, or your order.