Upright Headstones
An upright headstone stands tall above the grave, the most traditional and visible way to honor a 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.
Types of upright headstones
Beyond traditional and contemporary styling, upright headstones also come in a few standard forms. Your cemetery's rules, and your family's plot size, usually decide which one fits.
Single Upright
A base and die sized for one person, the most common choice for an individual grave and the starting point for most designs on this page.
Double / Companion Upright
One base and die shared by two people, usually spouses, with room for both names and dates. Also called a double upright. See our Double Headstones page for details.
Family / Estate Monument
A larger upright, often with the family surname across the top, built for family plots with individual markers added below over time.
Marker & Base
A smaller upright on a low base, often used as a companion piece, a cremation memorial, or a second marker within a larger family plot.
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 serpentine, oval, or Gothic-arch tops, scrollwork borders, and etched religious or fraternal emblems. This is the most common style and tends to meet the requirements of older cemetery sections.
Contemporary Cemetery MonumentsContemporary
Custom silhouettes, 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 an upright 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 monument type.
| Monument Type | Typical Size | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Single Upright Monument | 24"–30" W × 24"–36" H | $3,250 – $5,750 |
| Double / Companion Upright Monument | 48"–64" W × 24"–36" H | $5,000 – $7,500+ |
| Family / Estate Monument | 72"+ W × 42"+ H | $8,000 – $15,000+ |
| Marker & Base (Small Upright) | 16"–20" W × 20"–24" H | $1,295 – $1,995 |
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.
Choosing inscriptions for an upright headstone
An upright monument has more surface than a flat or flush marker, giving families room for a fuller tribute. Most inscriptions draw from the same handful of building blocks:
- Full name and birth & death years, or dates left blank to add later
- A relationship line, such as "Beloved Husband & Father"
- A short epitaph or verse
- Family surname, for companion or estate monuments
- Religious, military, or fraternal symbols
Your design consultant will proof the full layout with you, so spacing stays even even if a second name 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 pour the foundation and set your monument to your cemetery's exact specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
An upright headstone stands vertical on a base and offers the most surface for lettering, emblems, and etching. A flat or flush marker sits level with the grass. Many cemetery sections only allow one type, so we confirm what your cemetery permits before finalizing any design.
No. Some cemeteries, and many newer memorial park sections, only allow flat or flush markers for uniform lawn maintenance. We confirm what your specific cemetery permits before finalizing any design.
Yes. Companion uprights are commonly cut with one name and date completed and the second name pre-carved but left blank, to be dated later. Let your design consultant know you'd like this option.
Yes. All of our upright headstones are custom designed, including granite color, top shape, lettering style, and any emblems or etching.
Granite is harder and more weather-resistant, which is why it's used for the large majority of modern upright monuments. Marble is softer, ages differently, and is now used mostly for older or historic cemetery sections.
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.
Yes. Laser-etched portraits, custom silhouettes, and sandblasted scenes are all options within most cemeteries' guidelines, and your design consultant will confirm what your cemetery allows.
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.