There are six standard memorial styles — flat (flush) markers, bevel markers, slant headstones, upright monuments, memorial benches, and cremation estates — plus cast-bronze memorials mounted on granite, which many memorial-park cemeteries require. They differ mainly in how far they rise from the ground, how much room they offer for engraving, and price: a flat marker starts at $1,100 and an upright monument at $3,650. We have fabricated every one of these styles in Reno, Nevada since 1979, and this guide compares them the way we would across our counter.
How do the standard headstone styles compare?
Every starting price below covers a single memorial with one name, dates, a verse, a design from our catalog, and standard Sierra White granite. Sales tax and the cemetery's own setting and endowment fees are separate — our pricing page breaks each style down in more detail.
| Style | Profile | Engraving space | Starting price | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat (flush) marker | Flush with the ground, 4″ thick | One polished face | $1,100 | The most economical choice; accepted by nearly every cemetery |
| Bevel marker | Rises about 6″ with a sloped top | One sloped face | $1,325 | Visibility above the lawn on a modest budget |
| Slant, no base | 16″ tall angled face | Large angled face; optional polished back | $1,850 | Real prominence at a mid-range price |
| Slant on base | 16″ tablet on a 4″ granite base | Same angled face, raised higher | $2,850 | Traditional presence; companion memorials |
| Upright monument | 18″–20″ tablet on a 6″ base | Polished front and back; custom silhouettes | $3,650 | The classic monument, with the most room for artwork |
| Memorial bench | Free-standing, 36″–60″ long | Engraved seat; many shapes and leg styles | $3,600 | A place to sit and remember; can hold cremated remains |
| Cremation estate | Fully custom | Fully custom | Call for quote | Keeping a family's urns together in one monument |
| Bronze memorial | Cast bronze plaque on granite | Cast lettering and emblems | Call for quote | Memorial parks that require bronze |
What is a flat grave marker?
A flat marker — also called a flush marker — is a granite tablet set level with the ground, with a polished top and sawcut sides. It is the most economical style we make, starting at $1,100, and the most widely accepted: even cemeteries with strict section rules almost always permit flush markers, and some sections allow nothing else — see our guide to cemetery rules for headstones. A single marker with one name is typically 24″ × 12″ × 4″; side-by-side companion markers run 36″ wide and up to 48″ depending on artwork. Sizes, designs, and details are on our flat grave markers page.
What is a bevel marker?
A bevel marker rises about six inches above the ground with a gently sloped, polished top and rock-pitched sides, so it reads as quarried stone rather than a cut slab. That slope lifts the inscription toward the eye, making a bevel easier to see from a distance than a flush marker — without the height or cost of a monument. Bevels start at $1,325 and share the flat marker's footprint, from a 24″ × 12″ single to 48″ companion widths. More on our bevel markers page.
What is a slant headstone?
A slant carries a tall angled face — 16 inches high — that offers noticeably more room for lettering and custom artwork than a flat or bevel. The face is polished, the sides are rock-pitched, and the back can be polished for additional engraving. We build slants two ways: set directly on the cemetery's foundation ($1,850) or mounted on a granite base ($2,850), which raises the stone and broadens its footprint. Details and sizes are on our slant headstones page.
What is an upright headstone?
The upright is the classic monument: a vertical tablet on a granite base, polished front and back, so a family can carry names and dates on one face and a verse, portrait, or scene on the other. It offers the most engraving space of any style and can be shaped into nearly any custom silhouette. Uprights start at $3,650 including the base. See our upright headstones page, and browse installed examples in our gallery.
What is a memorial bench?
A granite memorial bench is a working seat and a memorial at once — a place to sit and remember. Benches come in 36″, 48″, and 60″ lengths and many leg and seat styles, and they can hold cremated remains placed in or beneath them, which makes a bench a meaningful alternative to a niche. Benches start at $3,600 engraved with a name, dates, a verse, and a catalog design. More on our memorial benches page.
What is a cremation monument?
A cremation monument — often called an estate monument — holds one or more urns within the monument itself, keeping a family together in a single memorial. Size and shape are fully customizable, limited only by cemetery restrictions, so each one is quoted individually. Browse our cremation memorial catalog (PDF) and our cremation monuments page, then call for a quote.
When is bronze the right choice?
Cast-bronze memorials and plaques, mounted on granite, are required by many memorial-park cemeteries — some sections accept nothing else. Bronze is also the traditional choice for dedications and civic memorials. Because each piece is cast to order from a wide selection of standard sizes, we quote bronze individually; start with our bronze markers page or call and we will confirm what your cemetery requires.
Which styles will your cemetery accept?
Before you settle on a style, check the rules for the specific section where the grave sits. Flush-only sections are common, memorial parks may require bronze, and upright sections often cap overall size. Confirming cemetery requirements is the first step of our five-step design process, and our guide to cemetery regulations lists exactly what to ask. Nothing goes into production until you have approved the final proof, so there is always room to adjust.
Questions families ask
What is the most affordable type of headstone?
A flat (flush) grave marker is the most economical style, starting at $1,100 including one name, dates, a verse, a design from our catalog, and standard Sierra White granite. It is also the style most widely accepted by cemeteries.
What is the difference between a slant headstone and an upright monument?
A slant is a single stone with a tall angled face — 16 inches high — set with or without a granite base ($1,850 and $2,850 respectively). An upright monument is a vertical tablet on a granite base, polished front and back, starting at $3,650. The upright offers the most engraving space and can be shaped into custom silhouettes.
Do all cemeteries allow upright headstones?
No. Many memorial-park cemeteries allow only flush markers, and some sections require bronze. Checking your cemetery's section rules is the first step of our design process, and no memorial goes into production until you approve the final proof.
Can one headstone serve two people?
Yes. Every style comes in companion sizes. Side-by-side flat markers, for example, run 36 inches wide and up to 48 inches depending on artwork, and slants and uprights have two-name sizes as well. Many couples also order a companion memorial pre-need.
If you are weighing two styles, the fastest way to decide is a short conversation. Call 775-323-1835 or email info@sierraheadstone.com — we will tell you what your cemetery allows and what each option costs, plainly.