Black Granite Headstones
Black granite carries a depth and polish that no other stone matches, and it holds lettering, portraits, and etched artwork with striking clarity. Fram Monument has hand-carved memorials for families across Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia since 1922, checking every design against your cemetery's requirements before it's carved.
Popular black granite varieties
Fram Monument works with several quarried black granites, each with a slightly different grain, sheen, and price point. Your design consultant can show you physical samples of each.
Jet Black
The deepest, most uniform black available, quarried in South India. A favorite for traditional upright monuments where maximum lettering contrast matters most.
Absolute Black
A fine-grained Indian granite with a rich, consistent black tone and excellent polish retention. One of the most widely used stones for memorials nationwide.
Black Galaxy
A dramatic granite flecked with fine copper and gold mineral deposits across a black base. Popular for contemporary designs that want visible texture.
Impala Black
Quarried in South Africa, a dense charcoal-black stone with a slightly softer tone than jet black. Known for exceptional durability in outdoor memorials.
Types of black granite memorials
Every shape below can be carved in Jet Black, Absolute Black, Black Galaxy, or Impala Black. Your cemetery's rules usually decide which ones are allowed on your plot.
Upright Headstones & Memorials
A tall, freestanding monument set on a base. Offers the most surface area for lettering, portraits, and emblems, and reads as the most traditional, prominent option.
Slant Headstones
An angled face set on a base, low to the ground but still easy to read from a standing position. A middle ground between an upright monument and a flat marker.
Flat Headstones
Set flush with the ground. Often required in memorial garden sections, and appeals to families who want a quieter, low-profile memorial.
Bevel (Pillow) Grave Markers
Sits low like a flat marker but with a gently angled top edge, giving a bit more presence and lettering surface while still meeting most memorial garden rules.
Single Grave Markers
Sized for one plot and one name. The most economical black granite option, available in upright, slant, flat, or bevel form.
Double / Companion Grave Markers
One memorial placed over two adjoining plots, with both names on a single stone. Many families order one name now and add the second later.
Ledger Markers
A large flat slab sized to cover most or all of a single plot, used in some older or historic cemetery sections in place of a smaller flat marker.
Veteran & Military Markers
Service branch emblem, flag, and rank details carved into black granite, often paired with a civilian design for a spouse on a companion marker.
Family Estate Monuments
A larger central monument paired with matching individual markers, built for a family plot with three or more burials.
Laser Etched Memorials
Photo-realistic portraits, scenes, or artwork etched directly into polished black granite, one of the finest laser-etching surfaces available.
The advantages of black granite
Sharper Contrast
Sandblasted lettering and laser etching show with far more clarity against black granite than against lighter stone.
Lasting Polish
Black granite's fine grain holds its high polish for decades with only occasional rinsing, and resists fading from sun exposure.
Low Porosity
Its density means black granite absorbs very little water, which helps it resist staining, moss growth, and freeze-thaw damage over time.
Timeless Look
Black granite pairs equally well with traditional carving and modern, minimalist designs, so it rarely looks dated as styles shift.
How much does a black granite headstone cost?
Because every Fram Monument headstone is custom designed and hand carved in house, we quote each family individually rather than publishing a fixed price list. Black granite generally runs somewhat above standard gray granite; here are typical ranges by marker type.
| Marker Type | Typical Size | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Single Upright Monument | 24"–36" W × 20"–24" H | $3,500 – $6,000 |
| Double / Companion Upright Monument | 36"–48" W × 24"–30" H | $5,500 – $8,000+ |
| Single Slant Marker | 20"–24" W × 12"–14" H | $2,200 – $3,200 |
| Double / Companion Slant Marker | 28"–36" W × 14"–18" H | $3,200 – $4,800+ |
| Single Flat / Grave Marker | 16"×8" – 24"×12" | $1,500 – $2,800 |
| Double / Companion Flat Marker | 24"×12" – 36"×12" | $3,000 – $4,800+ |
| Single Bevel (Pillow) Marker | 16"–24" W × 4" thick | $1,800 – $2,800 |
| Double / Companion Bevel Marker | 28"–36" W × 4"–6" thick | $2,800 – $4,200+ |
This table is a general guide only. Your exact price depends on granite variety, size, and personalization, and will be confirmed by a design consultant.
Why inscriptions stand out on black granite
Black granite's dark, uniform background gives sandblasted lettering, gold leaf, and laser etching an unusually crisp, high-contrast finish. Most families work from the same handful of building blocks:
- Full name and birth & death years, or dates left blank to add later
- Gold-filled or painted lettering for maximum visibility at a distance
- A laser-etched portrait, scene, or fine-line artwork
- A shared epitaph or verse, in sandblasted or hand-carved lettering
- Religious, military, or fraternal symbols placed above or beside the name
Your design consultant will proof the full layout with you, including a sample of how gold leaf or etching will look against your chosen granite before anything is carved.
From consultation to installation
Consultation
Meet a design consultant in person at our Annapolis, Baltimore, or Rockville showroom, or schedule a virtual consultation, and view granite samples.
Design & Proofing
Our in-house team designs your monument and walks you through a detailed proof before carving begins.
In-House Carving
Your headstone is carved entirely in our own facility, start to finish.
Installation
Our own crews set your monument at the cemetery and remain available for care and repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, yes. Black granite typically costs somewhat more than standard gray granite because of quarrying and finishing, though the exact difference depends on the specific variety and size you choose.
Its polished surface can make water spots, dust, and pollen slightly more visible between cleanings than a lighter stone. An occasional rinse with clean water and a soft brush keeps it looking sharp.
Yes. Black granites like Jet Black, Absolute Black, and Impala Black are all dense, low-porosity stones that hold up to weather and freeze-thaw cycles as well as, and often better than, many gray granites.
Quality black granite holds its color and polish for generations with basic care. Avoid bleach, wire brushes, or pressure washing, which can dull the polish over time on any granite color.
Yes. Many families pair a black granite die with a gray or dual-tone base, or use a black panel inset against a lighter frame. Your design consultant can show you combinations during your consultation.
Most cemeteries do, but some older or historic sections restrict granite color or require a minimum polished area. Fram Monument confirms your specific cemetery's requirements before production.
Jet Black and Absolute Black are the most popular choices for laser-etched portraits, since their fine, uniform grain gives the etching the most tonal detail and contrast.
Reach out through the contact form on our site or call your nearest showroom. A design consultant will walk you through granite samples, styles, and next steps for your family.