Headstone Costs In 2024 (& How To Save)

Headstone Costs: 2024 Breakdown

So how much is a headstone in 2024?

Well, that depends primarily on three things:

• Material Used:  In other words, what is the headstone made of?  The answer is almost always “marble” or “granite.”
• Alignment:  Does your headstone lay flat on the ground, or is it an upright headstone?
• Size: How large is your loved one’s memorial?

The table below compares the total costs for three headstone styles:

• Upright monuments – marble
• Upright monuments – granite
• Flat grave markers (grass markers)

Finally, to arrive at your total headstone cost, you must account for two ancillary costs: engraving and installation.  For now, recognize that:

Total headstone costs = the cost of the monument + engraving costs + installation costs.

Table: Average Headstone Costs By Material Used

If you’re looking for more specifics, see here an item-by-item breakdown of headstone prices.

Headstones 101: Types & Materials

A headstone is a monument or plaque that marks the location of a gravesite.

It nearly always shows the deceased’s name, birth date, and death date.  Some family members may add a short phrase to honor the memory of the deceased (this is called an epitaph).

The following are commonly used words that mean the same thing:

• Headstone
• Tombstone
• Gravestone

Upright Headstone (Marble)

Marble has been used for a long time as it is the best material for sculpture and carving.  While marble is the most expensive option, many prefer marble headstones due to their polished appearance.

Since marble is porous, it requires more upkeep and will weather over time, ultimately taking on the white-ish appearance commonly associated with a headstone for graves. So, how much are headstones made of marble?

The average marble headstone cost is $2,000 to $3,000.

Upright Headstone (Granite)

Granite is a durable stone that can last hundreds, if not thousands, of years.  While technically, some granites are more difficult to scratch than others, granite stones will essentially last forever.

As a result, upright headstones made of granite should appear and feel the same today as they will in 100,000 years or longer.

The average cost of a granite headstone is $1,200 to $1,800.

Flat Grave Markers

The cheapest headstone you can buy is a horizontal flat marker (instead of vertical, upright grave markers).

A flat marker tends to be more affordable because they are easy to install, and you, therefore, avoid additional costs, such as installation fees.

The average cost of flat headstones is $300 to $500.

Check Out: The Downsides of Prepaid Funeral Plans

Purchasing A Headstone: Hidden Costs

This section will explore the ancillary costs that come with purchasing a headstone.

Headstone Engraving Costs

The cost of headstone engraving depends on two factors:

1. The type of stone
2. The level of personalization desired (e.g., shapes, symbols, etc. that go beyond standard lettering)

For upright or flat headstones made of marble, expect to pay $150 to $200 for standard lettering with no special symbols.  Engraving is considerably cheaper ($40-$60 per headstone).

Headstone Installation Costs

Headstone installation will cost you $300 to $500.

Installation costs depend on three main factors:  (1) the size of the headstone, (2) whether your cemetery requires a cement base, (3) the cost of manual labor in your location.

You can save a few hundred dollars by installing the monument yourself.  However, check your cemetery rules first to see if this is prohibited!

Headstone Restoration Costs

Headstones do not require regular upkeep.  To be blunt:

There is no need to worry about restoration costs in the near term.  Headstones are built to last several decades, if not much longer.

In some cases, however, longevity may be a real concern.  If your loved one was a notable public figure, you may be justifiably interested   If your loved one’s memorial must last long enough for family members from many future generations to visit it, the best thing you can do is opt for a granite headstone.  Granite is a harder stone (vs. marble); therefore, granite tombstones last considerably longer than equivalent, but marble-based gravestones.

Purchasing A Headstone (& How To Save!)

If you’re on a tight budget and looking for a cheap headstone, then it’s important to consider where you purchase it.  The average price of tombstones will be much cheaper at an online retailer than at your local funeral home.

Online Retailers

Online providers will offer you a more affordable headstone because you avoid the mark-up that most funeral homes charge.

Yes, you can buy a headstone online as well. However, shipping costs are the major drawback to purchasing from an online retailer.  If the site offers “free shipping,” the shipping price is built into the cost of the product.

Two of the largest online providers are Legacy Headstones and Memorials.com.

Local Retailers (Funeral Homes)

A local business, such as a funeral home or other funeral industry provider, will typically charge more than an online provider for two reasons:

Local businesses have overhead costs

• Since funeral homes buy headstones from another provider, they likely charge a mark-up
• One upside is that funeral homes may discount installation if you purchase from them.

How To Save Money On Your Headstone

There are three key ways you can save on the cost of your loved one’s headstone:

1. Buy online: The best way to save is to buy online. It may take longer to receive (~3 weeks), but you’ll avoid the funeral home markup and have far more customization options.
2. Keep it simple: The second key way to save is to keep customizations minor: avoid complicated engraving (symbols), lengthy text, etc.
3. Companion headstones: The final way to save is to buy in bulk! While it may seem like a strange couple’s purchase, buying headstones for couples or multiple people in the family can yield substantial discounts.

Headstone Cost FAQs

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

So, in the end, how much is a headstone?

As with many of the expenses related to a funeral, tombstone prices vary widely based on the material type, size, and level of design detail.

A memorial engraved with a long inscription and carved with fancy symbols will feel personalized to your deceased family member.  It will be easier to spot among rows and rows of similar-looking monuments at your cemetery, making your loved one as unique in death as they were in life.

Of course, this will make the price of your headstone increase sharply.

In the end, however, the most important thing is to memorialize your or your loved one’s life in a way that you feel is fitting and respectful.

Warm Regards,
The GetSure Team