A headstone costs $200 to $5,000 in 2026
A flat granite grave marker costs $200 to $1,500 through a monument dealer in 2026, and online sellers start under $300. A single upright granite headstone costs $1,000 to $3,000 with basic engraving. A companion upright for two people runs $2,000 to $5,000. Most families spend about $1,500 to $3,500 all in, including engraving and setting. Bronze markers run $800 to $3,000. Veterans and eligible spouses get a government headstone free from the VA. Memorials.com says most families spend $1,000 to $3,000 for a standard headstone, with flat markers starting at $200.
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 |
|---|---|
| Memorials.com | Memorials.com says most families spend $1,000 to $3,000 for a standard headstone, with flat markers starting at $200. |
| Memorial Merits | Memorial Merits lists flat markers at $400 to $1,500 through dealers and single uprights at $1,000 to $3,000. |
| CostHelper | CostHelper lists flat markers at $250 to $1,800 and slant markers at $350 to $2,800, and says veterans get a free marker from the VA. |
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The type | Flat marker $200 to $1,500. Bevel or pillow marker $350 to $2,800. Slant $800 to $2,500. Single upright $1,000 to $3,000. Companion upright $2,000 to $5,000. |
| The material | Gray granite is the cheapest. Black, red and rare colors cost more. Bronze on granite costs more than granite alone. |
| Engraving | Names and dates are usually included. Extra lines, portraits, emblems and artwork add $100 to $1,000. |
| Installation | Cemeteries charge $150 to $600 to set a marker, and more for an upright that needs a foundation. |
| Cemetery rules | Many newer cemeteries allow flat markers only, which keeps the price down. |
What the price includes
A dealer quote usually covers the stone, standard engraving of names and dates, delivery and setting. Online sellers include the stone and engraving but often not installation. The cemetery may add its own setting and foundation fees. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Two groups usually bill you. The monument dealer or online seller charges for the stone and the engraving. The cemetery often charges its own fee to set the marker and pour a base. Dealer quotes often include delivery and setting. Online sellers often do not, so ask. Many sellers ask for part of the price up front and the rest before the stone is set. Later, if a name or date is added, that is billed as a new job. Get each fee in writing before you pay.
How to judge your quote
- Ask the cemetery for its marker rules and size limits before you shop.
- Ask if the price includes the stone, the lettering, delivery and setting.
- Ask what the cemetery charges to set the marker and pour a base.
- A fair quote lists the stone, the engraving lines and any extra fees on separate lines.
- Compare the total with the range above: $200 to $5,000 per headstone for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask the cemetery for its marker rules and setting fee before you shop.
- Compare an online seller. A 24 by 12 inch granite marker is often $600 to $800 online versus $1,500 to $3,500 at a dealer.
- Stick with gray granite and standard lettering. Color and artwork are where the price climbs.
- If the person served in the military, apply to the VA. The marker is free, and some cemeteries set it at no charge.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Memorials.com, Memorial Merits and CostHelper. 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?
Memorials.com says most families spend $1,000 to $3,000 for a standard headstone. This guide shows a full range of $200 to $5,000.
How much is a flat grave marker?
Memorial Merits lists $400 to $1,500 through dealers. CostHelper lists $250 to $1,800.
How much is an upright headstone?
Memorial Merits lists single uprights at $1,000 to $3,000. Prices climb with size, color and carving.
Can a veteran get a free headstone?
Yes. CostHelper says veterans get a free marker from the VA. The family may still pay to set it, depending on the cemetery.