A headstone costs $200 to $3,000 per headstone in 2026
A headstone costs $200 to $3,000 per headstone in 2026. Empathy and Memorials.com both say most families spend $1,000 to $3,000, with stone, engraving, and setting. Flat markers start near $200. CostHelper lists flat markers at $250 to $1,800 or more. Big or custom monuments can pass $10,000. Type, stone, and cemetery rules change the price. Ask for a quote.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Empathy | Empathy says most families spend $1,000 to $3,000 and lists flat markers at $200 to $1,000, uprights at $1,000 to $3,000, and companion uprights at $2,000 to $5,000. |
| CostHelper | CostHelper lists flat markers at $250 to $1,800 or more, bevel and slant markers at $350 to $2,800 or more, and simple uprights at $1,000 to $3,000. |
| Memorials.com | Memorials.com says most families spend $1,000 to $3,000 with stone, engraving, and installation, with flat markers starting at $200. Note: online monument seller, not a neutral price guide. |
Headstone prices by type
| Type | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Flat marker | $200 to $1,000 | Empathy |
| Flat marker, wide range | $250 to $1,800 or more | CostHelper |
| Bevel, slant, or pillow | $350 to $2,800 or more | CostHelper |
| Slant | $1,000 to $2,500 | Empathy |
| Upright, simple designs | $1,000 to $3,000 | CostHelper |
| Companion upright | $2,000 to $5,000 | Empathy |
| Bronze marker, single | $2,500 to $3,500 | Empathy |
| Most families, all in | $1,000 to $3,000 | Memorials.com |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Marker type | Flat markers cost least and uprights cost more. Empathy lists flat at $200 to $1,000, upright at $1,000 to $3,000, and companion at $2,000 to $5,000. |
| Material | Granite is the most common and least costly stone. Empathy lists marble at $1,500 to $3,500 or more and a single bronze marker at $2,500 to $3,500. |
| Engraving and extras | Empathy lists about $20 per character for the first 20 and $10 after that. Photo portraits and vases run about $350 each. |
| Setting fees | The cemetery may charge to set the stone. CostHelper lists $50 to $200 for flat markers and $150 per square foot for a foundation, with a $300 minimum. |
| Cemetery rules | Many cemeteries limit size or style, and some allow only flat markers. Ask the cemetery before you order, and expect delivery to take months. |
What the price includes
A quote may cover the stone, basic engraving, and setting. Memorials.com says its prices include installation. Other sellers leave out setting, and the cemetery may charge its own setting or foundation fee. Photos, art, and extra lines of text add cost. Ask what is included and who sets the stone. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Headstones are sold by monument dealers, funeral homes, cemeteries, and online sellers. A dealer often gives one price for stone, engraving, and setting. An online seller may sell only the stone, and shipping can add several hundred dollars, says Empathy. The cemetery may bill its own setting or foundation fee. Many sellers ask for part of the price up front and the rest when the stone is set. Ask each one for a written quote. Compare at least two bids.
When you need this
A headstone marks a grave and honors a person. Many families wait a few months to choose one. CostHelper says it takes two to six months from the order to setting, so there is no need to rush. Ask the cemetery about its rules first, then compare a few quotes.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the price includes engraving, delivery, and setting.
- Ask the cemetery what size, style, and setting fee it allows.
- Ask for a proof of the wording before the stone is cut.
- Ask how long it takes to make and set the stone.
- Compare the total with the range above: $200 to $3,000 per headstone for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask the cemetery for its marker rules and fees before you shop. Some cemeteries allow only flat markers, which cost less.
- Choose a flat granite marker. Empathy lists flat markers at $200 to $1,000, while uprights run $1,000 to $3,000.
- Keep the design simple. Empathy lists engraving at about $20 per character and portraits at about $350, so extras add up fast.
- Compare quotes from a few sellers. Make sure each one lists setting, delivery, and engraving so you can compare the full price.
- Apply for a free marker if the person served. Empathy and CostHelper both say eligible veterans can get a free government marker from the VA.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Empathy, CostHelper and Memorials.com. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a headstone cost?
Empathy and Memorials.com both say most families spend $1,000 to $3,000 for stone, engraving, and setting. Flat markers start around $200. Big custom monuments can pass $10,000.
How much does a flat grave marker cost?
Empathy lists $200 to $1,000. CostHelper lists $250 to $1,800 or more. Bronze or rare stone with art sits at the top of that range.
How much does it cost to set a headstone?
Empathy lists installation at $100 to $500. CostHelper lists $50 to $200 for flat markers. It lists $150 per square foot for a foundation, with a $300 minimum.
Can a veteran get a free headstone?
Yes. Empathy says eligible veterans can get a free government headstone from the VA. CostHelper says private cemeteries may still charge a setting fee.
How long does it take to get a headstone?
CostHelper says it takes two to six months from the order to setting. The stone is cut, engraved, and shipped. Ask your seller for a date in writing.