Single Headstones
A single headstone is a lasting, personal tribute to one life. 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.
Headstone, marker, or monument?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are small differences worth knowing as you plan.
Headstone
The most common term for an upright memorial placed at the head of a single grave, carrying a name, dates, and often an epitaph or emblem.
Grave Marker
A flat or beveled memorial set flush, or nearly flush, with the ground. Many memorial garden sections require this style rather than an upright stone.
Monument
A broader term for any memorial marking a grave, including larger or more elaborate single designs with columns, statuary, or custom shapes.
Types of single headstones
Beyond traditional and contemporary styling, every single headstone also comes in one of four physical forms. Your cemetery's rules usually decide which ones are allowed on your plot.
Single 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.
Single 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.
Single 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.
Single 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 single 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 single 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 by marker type.
| Marker Type | Typical Size | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Single Upright Headstone | 24"–36" W × 20"–30" H | $1,500 – $6,000+ |
| Single Slant Marker | 24"–32" W × 14"–18" H | $1,000 – $3,500+ |
| Single Flat / Grave Marker | 24" × 12" × 4" | $1,295 – $2,000+ |
| Single Bevel (Pillow) Marker | 24"–32" W × 4"–8" thick | $500 – $2,500+ |
This table is a general guide only. Your exact price depends on size, granite variety, and personalization, and will be confirmed by a design consultant.
Choosing inscriptions for a single headstone
A single headstone keeps the focus on one life, and the best layouts stay balanced and personal. Most families work from the same handful of building blocks:
- Full name and birth & death years
- A relationship or role line, such as "Beloved Mother" or "Loving Husband & Father"
- A personal epitaph or verse
- A maiden name, nickname, or additional legacy line
- Religious, military, or fraternal symbols placed above or beside the name
Your design consultant will proof the full layout with you, so the wording and spacing feel right 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.
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
These terms are often used interchangeably. A headstone typically refers to an upright memorial at the head of a grave. A grave marker usually sits flat or nearly flat with the ground. A monument is a broader term that can describe any of these, including larger or more custom designs.
In many cases, yes. A design consultant can review your existing stone and let you know what additional lettering, a nickname, a verse, or a maiden name, can be added and how it will be matched to the original carving.
Most cemeteries allow a range of styles, but size, material, and placement rules vary by cemetery and sometimes by section. Fram Monument confirms your specific cemetery's requirements before production.
Yes. All of our single headstones are custom designed, including granite color, shape, lettering style, and any emblems or etching.
Granite needs very little upkeep. An occasional rinse with clean water and a soft brush is usually enough. Avoid bleach, wire brushes, or pressure washing, which can dull the polish and wear on lettering over time.
Granite is one of the most durable materials used in memorials and can hold its color and detail for generations with basic care. Choosing a quality stone and finish matters more than any single maintenance step.
An upright monument stands tall on a base and offers the most room for detail. A slant marker has an angled face set low to the ground. A flat marker sits flush with the grass. A bevel marker is similar to a flat marker but with a gently angled top edge. Many cemetery sections only allow one type, so check yours first.
Yes. Many families write their own epitaph, choose a favorite verse or hymn line, or ask their design consultant for common phrasing to adapt.
Reach out through the contact form on our site or call your nearest showroom. A design consultant will walk you through styles, personalization options, and next steps for your family.