When it’s time to choose a headstone, the style you select can say so much about who your loved one was and the memories you hold dear. With such a variety of designs, there’s sure to be one that captures their spirit perfectly. Here’s a look at nine unique styles, each offering a different way to pay tribute and create a lasting memory.

Flat Headstones – Simple Yet Heartfelt

Flat headstones, often called flat markers, lie level with the ground, creating a low-profile yet dignified marker. They’re usually rectangular and made from materials like granite or bronze.

Why This Style?
– Understated and Elegant: With a minimalist feel, flat markers are quietly dignified.
– Customizable: You can still add personalized inscriptions, images, or symbols that capture what made them unique.
– Low Maintenance: Being flush with the ground, these headstones are easier to maintain over time.
– Less Expensive: Flat headstones are a great value for the budget conscious.

Best For: Families who prefer a simple, straightforward marker that honors their loved one with quiet elegance.

Bevel Headstones – A Subtle but Visible Tribute

Bevel headstones add a gentle lift to the standard flat marker. Raised just slightly with a slanted face, they offer an understated way to make inscriptions more readable.

Why This Style?
– Soft Incline: The slight angle makes text and details easier to see without standing out too much.
– Personalization Options: As with flat markers, bevel headstones can include inscriptions, small symbols, or designs.
– Durable Choices: Typically crafted from granite or marble, these markers withstand the elements well.

Best For: Families looking for a low-profile option that’s also a bit more visible than a flat marker.

Slant Headstones – Easy to Read and Timeless

variety of headstonesSlant headstones stand a bit taller, usually around 16 to 18 inches, with a sloped face that makes inscriptions easier to view from a distance.

Why This Style?
– Enhanced Readability: The angled surface provides better visibility for names, dates, and messages.
– Custom Shapes Available: Slant headstones come in various shapes and can be tailored to fit the personality of your loved one.
– Distinct Presence: More prominent than flat and bevel markers, these headstones offer a grounded but noticeable appearance.

Best For: Families who want a tasteful, mid-sized memorial that offers more visibility than low-profile markers.

Upright Monuments – Classic and Standing Tall

Upright monuments are the traditional vertical headstones seen in many cemeteries, usually set on a base for extra height and stability.

Why This Style?
– Timeless Appeal: Upright monuments are traditional and lend a sense of gravitas.
– Flexible Heights: These headstones come in a range of sizes, so you can go bold or modest depending on your preference.
– Variety of Shapes: Upright monuments can be customized into many shapes, such as crosses, hearts, or other meaningful designs.

Best For: Families looking for a classic memorial that’s both elegant and enduring.

Wing Headstones – Symbolic Togetherness

Wing headstones feature two markers joined by a central base, creating a unified memorial often chosen for couples or close family members.

Why This Style?
– Unified Design: Perfect for side-by-side tributes, especially for spouses or family members who shared a special bond.
– Aesthetic and Practical: Often featuring a central element, like a vase or small sculpture, for added elegance.
– Symbol of Unity: The connected design symbolizes togetherness, ideal for honoring two lives that were inseparable.

Best For: Memorializing couples or close family members with a harmonious, unified design.

Bench Memorials – A Place to Reflect

Bench memorials combine a functional bench with a headstone, creating a welcoming space where visitors can sit and remember.

Why This Style?
– Multi-Functional Tribute: A memorial and seating area in one, bench headstones invite family and friends to sit, reflect, and remember.
– Customizable Designs: Options range from simple, elegant benches to those with intricate carvings or inscriptions.
– Long-Lasting Materials: Typically crafted from granite, these memorial benches are made to withstand the elements.

Best For: Families who want a warm, inviting space for visitors to linger and reflect.

Obelisk Headstones – Dignified and Majestic

Inspired by ancient monuments, obelisk headstones are tall, narrow pillars that make a dramatic statement. They’re often associated with honor, strength, and reverence.

Why This Style?
– Commanding Presence: Obelisks stand out, creating a distinct and memorable marker.
– Historical Appeal: This design has ancient roots, often symbolizing respect and legacy.
– Ample Space for Engravings: With four sides, obelisks allow for extensive engraving if desired.

Best For: Families seeking a dignified, timeless design that symbolizes strength and enduring memory.

Statue Memorials – Artistic and Personal

Statue memorials offer a highly personalized option, often featuring sculptures of angels, religious figures, or even busts representing the individual being honored.

Why This Style?
– Detailed Expression: Statues can capture a range of sentiments, from spirituality to individual personality.
– Deeply Personalized: These memorials can be tailored to honor the person’s beliefs, interests, or spirit.
– Durability and Beauty: Often made from marble, bronze, or granite, statues are built to last.

Best For: Families wanting a heartfelt, artistic tribute that captures a unique aspect of their loved one’s life.

Ledger Headstones – Covering It All with Elegance

Ledger headstones are large, flat stones that cover the entire grave site, lying flush with the ground and offering ample space for personalization.

Why This Style?
– Full Coverage: These markers cover the entire plot, creating a substantial and protective memorial.
– Room for Meaningful Inscriptions: With plenty of surface area, ledger headstones offer space for messages, symbols, or designs.
– Sophisticated Aesthetic: These markers have a grand look, often chosen for their roominess and elegance.

Best For: Families who want a comprehensive, enduring tribute with lots of room for meaningful messages and designs.

Conclusion

Selecting a headstone style that speaks to your loved one’s life and memory is a deeply personal choice. From the simplicity of flat markers to the presence of obelisks and the unique beauty of statue memorials, there’s a style that fits every kind of tribute. No matter the style, a thoughtfully chosen headstone can provide a comforting place for family and friends to remember and honor their loved one for years to come.

Regardless of which style of headstone you choose, ceramic headstone photos are the perfect way to add some extra personalization to the memorial.