Each cemetery establishes its own dimensions for each section. The most popular single flat marker is 24 x 12 x 4 inches. The single upright most commonly used is 24" wide, 6" high, and 20" to 24" tall mounted on a base of 26" to 30" total height. Companion stones are broader than they're high, and are generally between 36 to 48 inches wide. Before ordering a production, please check the exact plots to be ordered with the cemetery in writing.
Key Takeaways
- The dimensions of headstones are indicated in inches, width x depth x height. The thickness of the markers is the height for flat markers.
- The most common size for a single flat marker is 24” x 12” x 4”. The height of an upright die is usually from 20 to 24 inches on a base 6 inches high and 24 inches wide.
- Companion stones are not just taller, they are wider. A flat companion marker is 36-48 inches wide. An erect companion die is 36-48 inches wide with a broader base.
- Most US and Canadian cemeteries have a limit to the total height of upright headstones (usually 36") and some sections only allow flat markers
- Granite has a density of about 165 lb. per cubic foot. Each flat marker is approximately 110 lbs. The weight of a single upright with base is about 550 to 600 lb.
- Before ordering, confirm the size rules of the particular section of the cemetery. The dimensions used in one section might not be accepted in an adjacent section.
How Are Headstone Dimensions Measured?
Dealers and masons should be familiar with the way that dimensions are noted in the trade before looking at any size chart. The dimensions of headstones are always quoted as width x depth x height (in inches).
These three measurements apply to flat markers: width is left-to-right, depth is front-to-back and height is thickness of the stone in the ground or on the ground.
The width of the upright headstones is the left to right dimension; the depth is the front to back dimension; and the height is the height of the die above the base of the headstone.
Base is measured and recorded separately from the die. If a cemetery gives a limit on the height of monuments, this refers to the total height of the monument, including the die and the base.
Metric equivalents are included in the size charts below for dealers serving Canadian cemetery clients who receive specifications in centimetres.
What Are the Standard Headstone Sizes by Style?
The table below gives the most commonly ordered dimensions in the North American trade across all five main headstone styles. These are working trade ranges, not fixed standards. Cemetery section rules always take precedence over any general guide.
| Style | Single (inches) | Single (cm) | Companion (inches) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat marker | 24 × 12 × 4 | 61 × 30 × 10 | 36–48 × 12–18 × 4 | Flush with the ground. One of the most widely accepted styles across North American cemeteries. |
| Bevel marker | 24 × 12 × 6 | 61 × 30 × 15 | 36–48 × 12–18 × 6 | Raised at the back and slopes toward the front. Higher than a flat marker but lower than a slant marker. |
| Slant marker | 24 × 8–10 × 14–16 | 61 × 20–25 × 36–41 | 42–48 × 8–10 × 14–16 | Angled face provides a readable inscription. The sloped surface helps shed rainwater. |
| Upright die | 24 × 6 × 20–24 | 61 × 15 × 51–61 | 36–48 × 6-8 × 24 | Sits on a separate base and requires a foundation. Cemetery height restrictions usually apply. |
| Infant or child marker | 10 × 6 up to 16 × 8 | 25 × 15 up to 41 × 20 | Not applicable | Smaller format designed for children's sections. Some cemeteries require specific designs. |
Companion sizes can vary more between suppliers and cemeteries than single memorial sizes. A two-person flat marker may be around 36 × 18 inches or as wide as 48 × 14 inches, depending on the cemetery’s companion-plot layout and permitted dimensions. Always confirm the available plot width and cemetery regulations before specifying a companion stone.
Dealers can explore the full product range by style: flat markers, bevel markers, upright headstones and slant markers.
What Are Upright Headstone Base Sizes?
An upright monument consists of two components: the die (the inscribed stone that stands vertically) and the base it sits on. Both dimensions are specified separately and both matter for cemetery compliance.
| Type | Die (W × D × H) | Base (W × D × H) |
|---|---|---|
| Single – Standard | 24 × 6 × 24" | 36 × 12 × 6" |
| Single – Large | 30 × 8 × 24" | 42 × 14 × 6" |
| Companion – Standard | 36 × 8 × 24" | 48 × 14 × 8" |
| Companion – Medium | 42 × 8 × 24" | 54 × 14 × 8" |
| Companion – Large | 48 × 8 × 24" | 60 × 14 × 8" |
The base is typically 3 to 6 inches wider and deeper than the die on each side so the stone sits securely and presents a balanced visual proportion. When a cemetery specifies a maximum monument height (commonly 36 inches total), add the die height and base height together to confirm compliance before ordering.
Larger stones require proportionally larger foundations. Foundation sizing and installation is almost always managed and charged by the cemetery directly, separate from the headstone cost. Confirm foundation requirements with the cemetery before advising a client on the final die height.
What Are the Standard Sizes for a 2 Person and 3 Person Headstone?
Companion and family headstones deserve separate attention because they are the highest average-value product in most monument dealers' upright headstone range, and the sizing logic differs from single markers in ways that generate ordering errors.
A 2 person headstone is wider, not simply taller. The extra width accommodates two separate name and date panels, often with a shared central design element between them. Requesting a standard-height stone in a wider format is the correct approach, not scaling up the height.
| Format | Flat companion | Upright companion die | Companion base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common dimensions | 36 × 18 in or 44–48 × 12–14 in | 36–48 W × 6–8 D × 24 H in | 48–60 W × 12–14 D × 6-8 H in |
A 3 person headstone is typically an upright family monument wider than a standard companion stone, often exceeding 48 inches in width. Width is the most common dimension rejected by cemetery management for family monuments, so confirming the maximum permitted width for the specific plot section is the first step before any family monument order.
How Much Does a Headstone Weigh?
Weight is a practical variable that affects freight cost, specifying, and installation equipment requirements. Granite weighs approximately 165 lb per cubic foot (approximately 2,650 to 2,700 kg per cubic meter).
| Memorial | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|
| Single flat marker (24 × 12 × 4 in) | 110 lb (50 kg) |
| Single bevel marker (24 × 12 × 6 in) | 135–165 lb (60–75 kg) |
| Single slant marker | 250–350 lb (115–160 kg) |
| Single upright die and base | 550–600 lb (250–270 kg) |
| Companion upright die and base | 1,000–1,500 lb (450–680 kg) |
Weight figures are approximate and vary by granite density and actual dimensions. For container import planning, these weight ranges inform crate design, container load limits, and the lifting equipment your installation crews will need on site for larger monuments.
What Cemetery Rules Affect Headstone Sizing?
Cemetery regulations are a leading cause of ordering errors for monument dealers, especially when dimensions and specifications are not checked before production.
The size of the cemeteries varies, not only from one to the other, but also from one section to another in the same cemetery. Flat markers may be used at the end of a site in a lawn section, and uprights up to 36” total height may be used in an adjacent traditional lawn section. Rather than the general cemetery policy, the rules specific to the particular plot are the most important.
The key rules to confirm in writing for every order:
The maximum height, width and thickness of the specified plot area. Whether the section will take up Uprights, Flat Markers or Flush Markers. Base and foundation needs and if the cemetery will install the foundation or the dealer. Material and finish rules - especially for historic or heritage cemetery sections where polished black granite may not be approved. Whether the monument allows for companion/ or family monuments. Setback requirements for plot edge that impact on stone width even within specified maximums.
The VA has a dimensional standard for grave markers in veteran cemetery sections: 24 x 12 x 4 inches for flat markers and dimensions for upright markers in veteran sections. As a standard line of products for the wholesale market, Stone Discover offers veteran-specification flat markers.
For Canadian buyers, provincial regulations vary. Ontario cemetery sections and BC municipal cemetery sections typically specify minimum thickness of 4 inches for flat markers. Alberta sections vary by municipality.
What Sizes Should Monument Dealers Stock?
For dealers building or rationalizing a headstone stock range, the most commercially efficient approach is to cover the core sizes first and build out from there based on actual order patterns.
Core stock for a North American monument dealer: A 24 x 12 x 4 inch single flat marker in Absolute Black covers the highest-volume product in most cemetery markets. A 24 x 6 x 24 inch single upright die in Absolute Black covers the most common upright commission. A companion flat marker in 36 x 18 or 44 x 14 inches covers two-person flat marker requirements. A companion upright die at 36 to 42 inches wide covers the highest-value repeat order in the upright category.
Order blanks, not finished pieces, for your core stock. Polished blank headstones in standard US and Canadian cemetery dimensions give you the flexibility to engrave locally by sandblast or laser to individual cemetery specifications and family requirements. Buying blanks direct from Stone Discover means the raw manufacturing cost is at its lowest, and your engraving operation captures the personalization margin on every piece.
For current wholesale pricing on standard blank headstone dimensions in Absolute Black and Steel Grey granite, the wholesale headstone prices Canada guide and the wholesale granite headstone prices USA guide both carry full FOB India and landed cost tables by size.
Choose granite colour before specifying size. Some granite colours are available in a narrower range of block sizes from the quarry, which affects maximum slab dimensions available for production. See the full granite varieties guide for available colours and production size limits before specifying a non-standard dimension in a premium colour.
Plan for lead time. Production at Stone Discover's Sangareddy factory runs 8 to 10 weeks from confirmed order. Ocean freight adds 4 to 6 weeks to US ports including Los Angeles, Houston, New York, and Savannah, and to Canadian ports including Vancouver, Halifax, and Montreal. Dealers maintaining a working stock buffer of 8 to 10 weeks avoid any supply gap.
Source Headstones in Your Exact Sizes
Stone Discover is an ISO 9001 certified direct manufacturer supplying monument dealers, funeral homes, and cemetery suppliers across the USA and Canada with polished blank and finished granite headstones in all standard North American cemetery dimensions.
Browse our full headstones range including angel headstones and memorial benches
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the standard headstone sizes?
A flat marker is 24 x 12 x 4; a bevel marker is 24 x 12 x 6; a slant marker is about 24 x 8 to 10 x 14 to 16 (on a 30 to 36 inch wide base); an upright die is about 24 x 6 x 24 (on a 30 to 36 inch wide base). Across the various styles companion stones are wider.
What is the average size of a headstone?
On average, the single headstone in the North American market measures about 24 inches wide. The standard depth of a flat marker is 12-inches and the thickness is 4-inches. Upright die is usually 6" thick and 20"-24" tall above its base.
What are standard grave marker sizes?
Typically, the standard grave marker is 24 x 12 x 4 for one person and 36 to 48 inches for a companion marker. Before ordering, you should always check the maximum size of the cemetery unit that is used for the particular section of the cemetery.
What size is a 2 person headstone?
It is common to have a flat 2-person gravestone that measures 36 to 48 inches wide and 12 to 18 inches deep. The width of an upright companion die is usually 36 to 48 inches with a height of 24 inches, and the base is 48 to 60 inches wide.
How thick is a headstone?
The thickness of flat markers is usually 4" thick. Bevel markers are approximately 6 inches long at the back, and narrow forward. Upright dies are usually 6” in thickness (or 8” for larger companion stones).
How much does a gravestone weigh?
One of the flat granite markers weighs about 110 lbs. The total weight of a single upright at the base is about 550 to 600 lb. A companion "upright" can weigh 1,000 to 1,500 lb depending on the size.
Is a headstone the same size as the grave?
No. A standard single grave plot is typically 3 to 4 feet wide and 8 to 10 feet long. The headstone footprint is significantly smaller than the plot area.
Can I order a custom headstone size?
Yes. Stone Discover produces custom dimensions to specification with a standard MOQ of 10 pieces per design. Custom sizes require a drawing confirmation before production begins.
