Headstone Pricing — Clear, Honest, Upfront
We believe families deserve straightforward pricing without surprise fees or opaque markups. Below is an honest breakdown of what our black granite headstones cost, what is included in every order, and the factors that can affect the final price.
Flat Grave Marker
From $279Our most accessible option. Lies flush with the ground; meets most lawn-care cemetery requirements.
- —Custom name, dates, and epitaph engraving
- —Optional laser-engraved portrait
- —Free digital proof
- —Nationwide freight shipping
- —Lifetime guarantee
Bevel Headstone
From $1,149Low-profile angled face for better readability. Permitted in most lawn-care cemeteries.
- —Custom engraving on polished angled face
- —Optional laser-engraved portrait
- —Free digital proof
- —Nationwide freight shipping
- —Lifetime guarantee
Slant Headstone
From $1,499Steep angled face on a separate granite base. Classic profile with prominent visibility.
- —Custom engraving on die and optionally the base
- —Optional laser-engraved portrait
- —Separate granite base included
- —Free digital proof
- —Nationwide freight shipping
- —Lifetime guarantee
Upright Headstone
From $2,199Full vertical tablet on a granite base. The most commanding memorial style.
- —Custom engraving on front and optionally the back
- —Optional laser-engraved portrait
- —Granite base included
- —Free digital proof
- —Nationwide freight shipping
- —Lifetime guarantee
Estimate Your Memorial
Select a style and size to see starting prices. No account needed — browse our catalog to see every option before placing an order.
- Custom design proof before production
- Laser engraving & portraits
- Nationwide delivery
- Lifetime guarantee
Final price depends on size and design — you'll see the exact amount in the store before anything is engraved.
What Every Order Includes
Custom Design & Engraving
Name, dates, epitaph, and any artwork or laser-engraved portrait are included in every order. There is no charge for basic design or standard engraving.
Free Digital Proof
Before any granite is cut or engraved, we create a complete digital proof of the stone layout. You review it and request any changes — production does not begin until you approve every detail.
Nationwide Freight Shipping
We ship to all 50 states with protective foam padding and rigid crating. Delivery is coordinated with the receiving cemetery or funeral home.
Lifetime Guarantee
Every headstone we produce is covered permanently against material defects. If any issue appears at any point after delivery, we address it at no cost to your family.
What Affects the Final Price
- —Stone size — larger dimensions require more material and more engraving time
- —Laser portrait complexity — a detailed portrait from a high-resolution photo takes more time than text-only engraving
- —Back engraving — adding inscriptions or artwork to the reverse of the die
- —Rush production — most orders ship within 4 weeks; faster timelines may carry a premium
- —Vase cutouts or relief carving — optional added elements
- —Installation — not included or arranged by Citizen Memorials; placement is handled by your family with the cemetery or a local monument installer
A Note on Cemetery & Funeral Home Pricing
Many cemeteries and funeral homes offer headstones as an add-on service, often sourcing them from third-party manufacturers and reselling them at a markup. This is a standard practice in the industry, and it is not inherently wrong — but it means that the price a family receives through one of these channels may be significantly higher than ordering directly from a memorial company.
We encourage families to request itemized quotes from multiple sources and compare them on an equal basis — same stone type, same size, same engraving scope. A meaningful difference in price can free up resources for other things that matter. Our team is always willing to help you understand what you are comparing.
Pricing Questions
What is included in the headstone price?+
Every Citizen Memorials headstone includes full custom engraving (name, dates, epitaph, and any artwork or portrait you choose), a free digital proof that you review and approve before production begins, nationwide freight shipping with protective packaging, and a lifetime guarantee against material defects.
What can make a headstone cost more?+
Price factors include the overall size of the stone, additional engraving on the back or base, the complexity of laser portrait work, rush production, and any optional vase cutouts or carved relief elements. We provide an itemized quote before you commit so there are no surprises.
Why do cemetery and funeral home prices differ?+
Cemeteries and funeral homes commonly resell headstones from third-party manufacturers at a markup, which is how those channels generate margin on monument sales. Ordering directly from a memorial company like Citizen Memorials removes that intermediary markup. We encourage families to get itemized quotes from multiple sources so they can compare like-for-like.
Is installation included in the price?+
Standard pricing covers design, engraving, and nationwide shipping. Installation — base preparation, anchoring, and any cemetery permits — is not included and is never sold or arranged by Citizen Memorials. Placement is handled by your family directly with the cemetery, which typically performs the installation or requires an installer it approves, at a fee the cemetery sets.
Do you offer payment plans?+
Yes. We work with families on payment arrangements. Contact us to discuss options that fit your situation — we want the process to be as manageable as possible during a difficult time.
Ready to get a quote?
Browse our catalog or reach out — we respond promptly.