Monument Styles and Tombstone Shapes

Monument Styles – Upright Monuments

• Designed to stand straight up perpendicular to level ground.
• The engraved marker portion is known as a “die.” Most are usually 6″ or 8″ thick.
• The horizontal portion is known as the base and is usually required.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.
• Scenic designs and the family name are popular additions on the back.

Monument Styles – Slant Monuments

• Upright slant shape. The thickness identified during ordering is the thickness of the base.
• The top is usually 2 inches thick.
• The top can be flat, oval, or serpentine shaped.
• A standard 2 inch to 4 inch nosing is recommended. This protects the polished etched surface.
• A base is optional and usually not required.
• May be used for individual or companion.

Monument Styles – Flat Markers

• Designed to lie flat at lawn level.
• All are a minimum of 4 inches thick.
• Provides burial information for a single individual.
• May be used for individual or ordered double width for a companion.

Monument Styles – Bevel Markers

• Often called a Pillow Marker or Hickey.
• Slight bevel slant from back to front of marker.
• The back is 2″ thicker than the front to provide this bevel effect.
• May be used for individual or companion.
• Usually 6″ or 8″ thick, however, thicker markers are available.

Monument Styles – Ledgers

• Designed to lie flat at lawn level.
• All are a minimum of 4 inches thick.
• Covers the entire length of the buried.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.

Monument Styles – Ledgers with Slant or Bevel Markers

• Combines a ledger with a slant or bevel.
• Covers the entire length of the buried.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.

Monument Styles – Cremation Memorials

• Similar characteristics of the Upright Monument.
• Usually has one or more containers for the placement of cremated remains (cremains). Cremation urns are not used.
• Most cremation memorials and benches have cored spaces in the granite where the cremains in a plastic bag are placed.
• Much easier to maintain as the marker does not need to be moved for ground burials.

Monument Styles – Benches

• Very popular for both a memorial and as a cremation memorial.
• Base is usually not required.
• Some style benches can hold the cremains of up to 6 loved ones.
• Enhances the beauty of burial garden.

Monument Styles – Rock Monument

• Similar characteristics of the Upright Monument.
• Area available for expression, decoration, and engraving is variable with the size of the stone and the polished face.
• Bronze markers may be mounted.
• May also be used as a cremation memorial.

Upright Monument Shapes

There are a wide variety of tops and ends available. However, if you want a memorial with tops and ends that are different or unusual, those designs will usually be more expensive.