Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland uses both flush bronze memorials and upright granite headstones for below-ground burials. The type depends on the burial property, so it is worth confirming what comes with the grave before ordering a marker or arranging inscription work.
Upright headstones follow a different process from bronze markers. Gate of Heaven provides and installs the upright granite stone before the burial site is purchased. Families do not buy a new upright headstone from us.
When lettering needs to be added, we engrave the cemetery-provided upright headstone directly at the gravesite. The stone stays in place while we work.
For graves that use a flush memorial, bronze grave markers are another option, as long as the marker meets the cemetery’s requirements.
What to Know
- Gate of Heaven uses both flush bronze memorials and upright granite headstones.
- The burial property determines which memorial type applies.
- The cemetery provides and installs upright headstones.
- Families do not purchase a new upright headstone from us.
- We engrave existing upright headstones at the gravesite.
- On-site engraving is much less expensive than having the cemetery remove the stone for engraving.
- Bronze markers, inscriptions, decorations, and other memorial work must follow cemetery rules.
What Are the Headstone Rules at Gate of Heaven Cemetery?
Gate of Heaven does not use one memorial style throughout the cemetery.
For below-ground burial, its memorial options include:
- Bronze flush individual memorials
- Bronze flush companion memorials
- Bronze flush double-interment memorials
- Granite companion upright memorials
- Granite upright family estate memorials
The burial property decides which type applies.
A nearby grave may not follow the same rules as the one you are working with. Before ordering anything, confirm the section, lot, grave, burial arrangement, and memorial type with the cemetery.
That first check can prevent problems later, especially if a family assumes that a nearby marker or upright monument can be copied for another section.
Does Gate of Heaven Require a Bronze Marker?
No. Bronze markers are used for many burial properties at Gate of Heaven, but not all of them.
The cemetery has flush bronze memorials for individual, companion, and double-interment arrangements. Other properties have upright granite headstones.
If you are unsure which type applies to the grave, confirm the memorial arrangement before making a purchase.
Bronze Flush Memorials at Gate of Heaven
Gate of Heaven uses several types of lawn-level bronze memorials. These markers are displayed on granite bases and sit close to the ground.
Individual Bronze Memorials
An individual bronze memorial marks one burial site.
The marker usually includes the person’s name and life dates, along with any approved decorative details. Some designs may also include a flower vase.
The bronze tablet and granite base should be checked together when confirming the required measurements.
Companion Bronze Memorials
A companion marker is used for two side-by-side burial sites.
Both names and life dates appear on one memorial, and some designs may include a vase.
Both grave locations should be confirmed before the inscription layout is prepared.
Double-Interment Bronze Memorials
Gate of Heaven also has flush bronze memorials for double interments.
A double interment is different from two neighboring graves, so it is important to confirm the burial arrangement before choosing a marker size or preparing the inscription.
Are Upright Headstones Allowed at Gate of Heaven?
Yes. Gate of Heaven has upright granite headstones on designated burial property.
Its upright burial arrangements include companion monuments for two side-by-side burials and larger monuments for qualifying family estate property.
The main difference is how these stones are provided.
Gate of Heaven supplies and installs the upright headstone before the burial property is purchased. Families do not order a new upright from us or hire us to install one.
If you are comparing a flat or upright memorial, start with the burial property rather than choosing a monument style first.
Companion Upright Headstones
Gate of Heaven has a granite companion upright for two side-by-side burial sites.
The cemetery’s memorial information shows this type with two vases.
Once the headstone is in place, we can add approved lettering directly to the existing stone when needed.
Family Estate Upright Headstones
Gate of Heaven also has upright monuments for family estate property with four, six, or eight burial sites.
These monuments are part of the cemetery’s estate arrangement.
Names, dates, or later inscriptions can be added to the existing stone as the family needs them.
On-Site Engraving for Upright Headstones
We engrave Gate of Heaven upright headstones right at the gravesite.
The monument stays in place while we add the approved lettering. There is no need to remove the stone, transport it elsewhere, and return it afterward.
On-site engraving is also much less expensive than having the cemetery complete the work. The cemetery has to remove the headstone for engraving and then reset it at the grave.
That extra handling adds to the cost, creates a risk of damage, and leaves the grave temporarily without its permanent marker.
Engraving the stone where it stands avoids those extra steps.
Lettering and Inscription Rules
Names, dates, epitaphs, religious emblems, and other lettering must follow Gate of Heaven’s requirements.
When lettering is added to an existing upright headstone, the new work may need to match what is already on the stone.
Before engraving begins, check:
- Spelling of every name
- Birth and death dates
- Family titles
- Epitaph wording
- Religious text
- Placement of symbols
- Existing letter style
- Space for later inscriptions
Permanent lettering can be difficult to correct once it has been carved, so these details should be reviewed carefully before work begins.
Material Rules for Gate of Heaven Memorials
Bronze and granite are the main materials used for Gate of Heaven’s below-ground memorials.
Flush bronze markers sit on granite bases. Upright memorials are granite.
If you are comparing granite and bronze, first find out which memorial type the burial property uses. The cemetery rules should guide the material choice.
The cemetery also restricts marble. Marble memorials are not permitted except when needed to match existing foot markers.
Religious Emblems and Personal Details
Gate of Heaven allows approved religious and personal details on some bronze memorials.
Available religious designs may include:
- Sacred Heart
- Blessed Mother
- Saint Francis
- Holy Bible
- Crucifix
- Praying hands
Some bronze memorials may also include personal image montages.
The final design still needs to fit the memorial type and cemetery rules.
For an existing upright headstone, the focus is on adding approved lettering to the stone already in place rather than creating a new monument.
How Approval Works
The process is different for a bronze marker and an existing upright headstone.
For a Bronze Memorial
Before the marker is made, confirm:
- Cemetery section, lot, and grave
- Burial arrangement
- Permitted marker type
- Required dimensions
- Granite base requirements
- Inscription details
- Approved design elements
- Cemetery authorization
Production should begin only after the cemetery requirements are clear.
For an Existing Upright Headstone
There is no new upright stone to design, manufacture, or install.
The main steps are confirming the inscription, checking the cemetery’s lettering requirements, and making sure permission is in place for the work.
Once those details are settled, the engraving can be completed directly at the gravesite.
Matching Existing Lettering
Adding a date of death or another family inscription often means matching lettering that is already on the stone.
We look at details such as:
- Letter style
- Letter size
- Carving method
- Spacing
- Existing names and dates
- Religious symbols
- Space for future lettering
Seeing the headstone in person also helps us work with the lettering as it actually appears on the monument.
Flower and Decoration Rules Around Memorials
Gate of Heaven has separate rules for flowers and decorations placed around memorials.
Fresh-cut flowers are permitted throughout the year and are generally the preferred option during warmer months.
Artificial flowers, silk flowers, and potted arrangements may be permitted during the cemetery’s designated colder-season period.
Individual planting of shrubs, trees, or flowers on cemetery grounds is not allowed.
Seasonal decorations also have their own rules. Christmas decorations are permitted during the cemetery’s designated holiday period, while flags may be placed around Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day within the approved timeframes.
Some items are not permitted, including glass containers, balloons, candles, solar lights, and other non-approved decorations.
Families who plan to bring flowers regularly may want to consider a memorial design with an approved vase where that option is available.
Mausoleum and Cremation Memorials Follow Different Rules
Crypts, cremation niches, and cremation burial spaces may follow different memorial requirements from traditional graves.
Gate of Heaven offers several forms of memorialization beyond below-ground burial, including mausoleum crypts, cremation niches, and designated cremation burial areas.
Families considering larger private memorials may also want to understand how custom cemetery mausoleums differ from standard grave memorials.
If the burial arrangement involves cremation or mausoleum property, confirm the memorial format before ordering a conventional grave marker.
What to Confirm Before Ordering or Engraving
A little preparation can save time before permanent work begins.
Have the following information ready when possible:
- Cemetery name
- Section, lot, and grave number
- Burial arrangement
- Bronze or upright memorial type
- Marker dimensions for a bronze memorial
- Granite base requirements when applicable
- Names and life dates
- Epitaph wording
- Religious emblems
- Existing lettering that needs to be matched
- Cemetery authorization
For an upright burial property, the headstone is already part of the cemetery arrangement. The next step is usually confirming the inscription rather than shopping for a new monument.
Planning a Gate of Heaven Memorial
The first thing to find out is whether the burial property uses a flush bronze memorial or a cemetery-provided upright headstone.
For a bronze memorial, the size, design, base, inscription, and cemetery requirements should be confirmed before production begins.
For an upright headstone, the monument is already in place. At Fram Monument Company, we engrave approved lettering directly on the existing stone at the gravesite, so there is no need to remove it for the work.
Ready to plan a memorial at Gate of Heaven? Contact us and we can help you understand what applies to your burial property, from bronze markers to lettering on an existing upright headstone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gate of Heaven Cemetery require a bronze marker?
No. Gate of Heaven uses both flush bronze memorials and upright granite headstones. The memorial type depends on the burial property.
Can you have an upright headstone at Gate of Heaven Cemetery?
Yes. Gate of Heaven has upright granite headstones on designated burial property. The cemetery provides and installs these monuments before the burial property is purchased.
Can we engrave an upright headstone at Gate of Heaven?
Yes. We can engrave the cemetery-provided upright headstone directly at the gravesite while the monument remains in place.
Why choose on-site engraving?
On-site engraving avoids removing and resetting the headstone. It is also much less expensive than having the cemetery complete the engraving, and it avoids the extra handling that can create a risk of damage or leave the grave without its marker for a period of time.
Can I buy a Gate of Heaven upright headstone from an outside monument company?
For Gate of Heaven’s upright burial property, the cemetery provides and installs the headstone. Families do not purchase another upright monument from us.
Can families use an outside monument company for a bronze memorial?
Outside monument companies may provide permitted memorial goods and services, subject to Gate of Heaven’s rules. The marker still has to meet the cemetery’s requirements for the burial property.