Double Headstones | Companion & Family Headstones
A double headstone brings two lives together under one lasting memorial. Fram Monument has designed and hand-carved these memorials for families across Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia since 1922, checking every design against your cemetery's requirements before it's carved.
Double, companion, or family?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are small differences worth knowing as you plan.
Double Headstone
A single memorial placed over two adjoining plots, most often for a married couple, with both names, dates, and a shared or individual epitaph on one stone.
Companion Headstone
Another name for the same monument style. Many families order one name and date now, with the second added later when it's needed.
Family Headstone
Serves a larger group, such as a family estate with three or more burials, often paired with matching footstones or markers for each individual.
Types of double headstones
Beyond traditional and contemporary styling, every double headstone also comes in one of four physical forms. Your cemetery's rules usually decide which ones are allowed on your plot.
Double Upright
The classic tall, freestanding monument set on a base. It offers the most surface area for lettering, emblems, and etching, and reads as the most traditional and prominent option.
Double Slant
A marker with an angled face set on a base, low to the ground but still upright enough to read easily. A middle ground between an upright monument and a flat marker in cost and presence.
Double Flat / Grave Marker
Set flush with the ground, sometimes with a bronze plate on granite. Often required in memorial garden sections and appeals to families who want a quieter, low-profile memorial.
Double Bevel
Also called a pillow marker. 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.
Two design directions, fully custom either way
Every piece we build is custom. These are starting points, not fixed templates.
Traditional Cemetery MonumentsTraditional
Classic upright granite forms: a polished die set on a base, with arched or serpentine tops, columns, and etched religious or fraternal emblems. This is the most common style for double headstones and tends to meet the requirements of older cemetery sections.
Contemporary Cemetery MonumentsContemporary
Cleaner lines, alternative shapes, dual-tone or colored granite, and detailed laser-etched artwork or portraits, for families who want the memorial to reflect a specific interest or personality.
How much does a double 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. As a general guide, here are typical ranges.
| Marker Type | Typical Size | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Double Upright | 48"–64" W × 24"–36" H | $5,000 – $7,500+ |
| Double Slant | 44"–60" W × 16"–20" H | $3,500 – $6,000+ |
| Double Flat / Grave Marker | 48" × 18", 4" thick | $3,000 – $4,500+ |
| Double Bevel | 44"–60" W, 4"–8" thick | $1,500 – $8,500+ |
This table is a general guide only. Your exact price depends on size, granite or material, and personalization, and will be confirmed by a design consultant.
Choosing inscriptions for a double headstone
A double headstone gives you room to say more, but the best layouts stay balanced. Most families work from the same handful of building blocks:
- Full names and birth & death years, or dates left blank to add later
- A relationship line, such as "Beloved Husband & Wife" or "Together Forever"
- A shared epitaph or verse centered between both names, or two individual ones
- A family surname carved larger above both names
- Religious, military, or fraternal symbols placed above or between the names
Your design consultant will proof the full layout with you, so spacing stays even even if a second date is added years later.
From consultation to installation
Consultation
Meet a design consultant in person at our Annapolis, Baltimore, or Rockville showroom, or schedule a virtual consultation.
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
A shared stone is one headstone that marks two burial plots next to each other, creating a single memorial that commemorates two people. Separate stones are placed individually. For many couples, a shared design creates a unified tribute while still allowing each person to be represented in a personal way.
Yes. A companion memorial can be planned with room for additional lettering or a date to be added later. Your design consultant can arrange the spacing in advance so future engraving fits naturally with the original design. This approach is also common with a companion headstone.
In many cases, yes. A shared grave space can accommodate different styles depending on the available area and local requirements. A companion monument or other shared design can provide a coordinated appearance while still leaving room for individual details.
Yes. The design can be personalized with your preferred granite color, shape, lettering style, emblems, artwork, etching, or decorative plaques. Companion monuments can also be tailored to reflect shared interests, religious symbols, or other meaningful details that represent the people being remembered.
Granite needs very little upkeep. An occasional rinse with clean water and a soft brush is usually enough. Avoid bleach, wire brushes, harsh cleaners, and pressure washing because they can damage the finish or lettering over time.
Granite is highly durable and can preserve its appearance for generations. Quality stone, proper installation, and basic care can help memorials retain their color and detail for many years, creating a lasting tribute to a loved one.
Upright headstones stand vertically and provide more room for lettering and artwork. A double upright offers a traditional appearance, while slant and bevel styles sit lower to the ground. A grave marker or other lawn-level option provides a simpler profile. The right style depends on the available space and preferred design.
Yes. You can write a personal epitaph, choose a favorite verse or hymn line, or ask your design consultant for wording ideas. One inscription can honor both people together, while individual wording can reflect each person's life and personality.
Reach out through the contact form on our site or call your nearest showroom. A design consultant will guide you through available styles, granite options, personalization, prices, and the next steps for creating a lasting memorial for your loved one.