A cemetery monument is a type of structure explicitly created to commemorate a person and pay tribute to their life. Although each specific cemetery or memorial park will have regulations on what type of monument they will allow there is a wide variety of styles and types of monuments available for the consumer to choose from. The best way to select a memorial is to first find out what regulations the specific plot in which your loved one is buried within the cemetery has (if any) this way you will be able to select only memorials that fit within those restrictions. Second, consider a budget and how much you have to spend for the overall expense of the stone as well as the setting of that stone upon your loved one's grave. Finally, research what type of headstone is available and make a selection based upon personal preference and what you believe most effectively pays tribute to your loved one. Although there are a myriad of different styles of monuments this article will provide a basic guide to the types of monuments we offer and a basic description and definition of each style to assist you in making an informed decision. If you have any further questions or concerns or need assistance in determining any size or style restrictions your cemetery may have please feel free to contact us by email at chris@headstonesusa.com or by phone at 1-314-807-6910.

The first type of monument you may have in mind when envisioning headstones is the historic tablet, or footstone. This type of memorial was extremely popular in the past because it was easy, affordable, and quick to install. The material used for this tablet style of headstone ranged from wood to stone and although they come in a variety of shapes and sizes they have a few common features. First, they are small in size and tend to be only 30-40 inches and 3-8 inches thick because they were handmade. The epitaphs were brief and only included basic information such as the name and dates. The headstone was usually placed directly in the ground and actually got its name because of the position in which it was placed directly above the interred corpse's head. The footstone was made of the same material as the headstone but was much smaller in size and therefore often only had enough room for the initials of the deceased to be inscribed. As the ability to make a more substantial and long lasting memorial became affordable the popularity of this type of temporary monument waned.

The historic tablet or footstone headstone monument quickly became replaced by the affordable marker that lay flat or flush with the ground. This style or category is also known as grave markers, grass marker, or saw cut flat markers. There are great variations in the sizes of markers, from tiny ones on children’s graves and for use as pet markers, to medium sized individual headstones, to large double or companion memorials and even huge monumental ones to mark an entire prominent family plot site. This type of monument is popular because it is acceptable most cemeteries or memorial parks and because they are low to the ground they are easy to maintain, and very durable which results in very little damage occurring to them over the years. At Headstones USA we provide a large variety of sizes and thicknesses of flat markers to accommodate each specific need and or cemetery regulation.

Some cemeteries or memorial parks require Bronze plaques to be placed upon the burial plot. A bronze plaque is related to a grass marker because the thin bronze plaque is placed upon a solid granite marker foundation. Bronze is a material of choice because once it is cast it will show very little deterioration over time. The lettering is completed in relief in the bronze itself rather than being engraved into the surface as with granite. At Headstones USA we offer several different styles and shapes of bronze plaques as well as the option to add a bronze vase.

Bevel Markers are yet another style of markers available. This style is similar to the grass marker in that they rest upon the ground and sit above the grade. However, with a bevel the "back side" of this style grave marker is generally 2 - 3 inches thicker than the front; thus creating the bevel / sloped look characteristic of this headstone model.

Slant and Pillow style monuments are a step between markers and upright memorials. The slant style or pillow monument is a traditional style of American Monument that we carry in-stock year-round in all sizes and many colors. This style of headstone is just as the name implies, are cemetery memorials that are slanted in the front or on top of the headstone but unlike markers a slant or pillow style are set upon a base. This style is beautiful and comes in many different sizes and shapes such as the basic slant and the open book or bible and as with all of our granite headstones our slant cemetery headstones also come in a variety of different colors to choose from such as Jet Black, Anxi Red, Evergreen, China Pink, India Red, Marble Red, Dark Cloud Gray, Blue Pearl and even a Dakota Mahogany and many more all made of our solid high quality granite.

The arguably current most popular style of cemetery memorial is what is now referred to as the Upright Headstone. This monument consists of two separate pieces: a top piece that stands upright and a base for the top to rest upon on. This style is available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. It is versatile enough that it can be used to mark the grave of an individual or an entire family. It can be engraved on the front as well as the back, and often on the base as well. It can include such details as out-carved flowers or crosses, double processed epitaph boxes, flowers or other details, or even be cut itself into an unusual shape. Unique styles that we have available at Headstones USA include but are not limited to Angels, Angels with Hearts, Carved Lady, Crosses, Dolphins, Heart Shaped, Heart with Cross, Heart with Angel, Lighthouses, Killer Whales, Ovals, Owls, Teardrop Shaped, and even Trees. There is no limit to how creative we can help you become when it comes to designing the perfect tribute to your loved one. If there is something specific you would like to have but do not see on the website please contact us for a consultation and we will assist you in creating the perfect custom headstone. The variety of choices with this style of monument is essentially limitless.

At Headstones USA we have a wide variety of sizes and styles that are affordable, in stock, and priced online to include a consultation to help you select and design the perfect memorial, shipping directly to your cemetery or other commercial address with unloading capabilities, and basic engraving of up to 40 characters. We will work with you step-by-step to help you select the perfect monument that fits within your budget as well as within your specific cemetery restrictions while still paying tribute to your loved one and a life well lived. If you have any questions or would like assistance selecting a memorial for your loved one call us at 314-807-6910 or email us at chris@headstonesusa.com.