Polished
Smooth and reflective; brings out color and grain.
STYLES · STONE · SIZING
Headstone guide.
Compare common styles. Learn the parts, finishes and measurements.
Browse styles
01
Headstone styles.
Your cemetery determines which styles and sizes are permitted.
AI-generated exampleUpright
Standing tablet and base.
Details
The upright stone is called the die or tablet. A single or companion memorial may have room for one or several inscriptions.
AI-generated exampleFlat marker
Usually level with the ground.
Details
Also called a flush or grass marker. Its face is usually set level with the ground, following cemetery requirements.
AI-generated exampleBevel
Low, with a slight slope.
Details
Also called a pillow marker. It sits above ground, with a gentle slope across the lettering surface.
AI-generated exampleSlant
Taller, with a steep face.
Details
A slant has a steeper face than a bevel. It may stand on a base; the arrangement depends on the design and cemetery.
AI-generated exampleBronze
Metal plaque on a backing.
Details
Bronze describes the material, not a single shape. A bronze grave marker often has raised lettering on a granite backing. Confirm which forms the cemetery permits.
AI-generated illustrations show form, not inventory, exact color or cemetery approval. More shop photos ↗
Single or companion?
Single and companion describe how many people a memorial remembers. They do not prescribe one shape or size.
02
Parts of a headstone.
Tap a number to read the definition.
1Die / tablet
The upper, upright piece of stone. Its front face holds the main inscription.
2Face / inscription
The face is the surface for lettering. The inscription includes names, dates and any personal message. An epitaph is a short remembrance or tribute.
3Base
The wider stone beneath the die. It is part of the visible memorial, separate from the foundation below.
4Foundation
The support beneath the memorial. Its design and depth depend on the site, cemetery requirements and installation plan.
Vases and other terms
A vase is a separate flower holder; space for it is considered when planning the base. Headstone, monument and memorial are commonly used terms. You do not need specialist vocabulary to ask us a question.
03
Granite & finishes.
Illustrative colors. Confirm the stone and finish with a physical sample.
AI-generated color and finish illustrations. Natural grain and color vary; lighting and screens affect appearance. These are not exact quarry samples.
Frosted / steeled
Matte, often used behind lettering for contrast.
Rock pitched
A rough, broken-looking edge.
What do P2, P3 and P5 mean?
For an upright die: polished front and back (P2); front, back and top (P3); or all five exposed faces (P5). Other surfaces may have a different finish. We identify each surface on your drawing.
04
Lettering.
Typeface is the letter shape. Treatment is how the stone is cut and finished.
Typeface
AI-generated letter shapes, not exact font specimens. Confirm actual typefaces and available styles with the shop.
More typeface examples
Lettering treatments
The same letter shape can have a different treatment. Tap an example for details.
Polished outline
Polished letters on a frosted field.
Details
Letter faces keep their polish. A recessed V-cut outlines each letter; the surrounding field is frosted.
Frosted outline
Frosted letters on a polished field.
Details
The letter face is matte. A recessed V-cut outlines it against the polished stone.
Shadow
Frosted letters with a dark outline.
Details
In this example, a tinted recessed outline adds contrast around frosted letters. Confirm the shop's shadow treatment with a sample.
Skin cut
Shallow lettering; Vermarco-like shapes.
Details
Only the surface polish is removed. Vermarco names the letter style here, not the cutting method. Contrast depends on the stone.
V-cut means a recessed groove with a V-shaped profile. Treatment names and contrast vary with the stone and process; confirm a shop sample.
05
Reading dimensions.
Die: length × thickness × height. Base: length × depth × height.
EXAMPLE DIMENSIONS
36 × 8 × 24
36 inches across the face, 8 inches front to back, 24 inches high for the die alone.
- 36 inches
- 3 feet · 3′ 0″
- 24 inches
- 2 feet · 2′ 0″
- 42 inches
- 3 feet 6 inches · 3′ 6″
1 foot = 12 inches. Die height excludes the base. Confirm the overall installed height with the cemetery.
Our shop’s starting proportions for bases
Length
For an upright, roughly 6–9 inches beyond the die at each end. About 9 inches per end is common with two vases, depending on their size.
36-inch die + 9 + 9 = 54-inch base
3-foot die → 4-foot 6-inch base
Depth
Typically 3 inches extra front and back of the stone’s bottom joint, where it meets the base.
10-inch slant joint + 3 + 3 = 16-inch base depth
Height
An upright base height usually matches die thickness. Slants generally start with a 6-inch-high base.
8-inch-thick die → 8-inch-high base
Flexible shop examples. These are not cemetery rules or structural specifications. Vases, stone size, design, site conditions and the installation plan may change them. Final dimensions are confirmed before approval.
Have an existing memorial?
Send a photo and the cemetery name. If you have dimensions, tell us which piece they describe and the units. We can confirm measurements on site; you do not need to move, lift or lean on a memorial.
06
Cemetery & placement.
Share the cemetery name before finalizing a design.
- 1
Confirm the rules.
Permitted style, material, dimensions and vases for your lot or section.
- 2
Confirm the location.
Plot, orientation, placement and required cemetery permissions.
- 3
Plan the foundation.
The cemetery and installer confirm suitable support and setting requirements.
- 4
Arrange installation.
Professional installers handle lifting and placement. Confirm who does the work and the schedule.
Is the base the foundation?
No. The base is the visible stone under an upright or slant. The foundation supports the memorial beneath it. A larger base does not replace suitable support, cemetery approval or a professional installation plan.
Questions?
Send a photo or bring the cemetery name. We can help with the details.