Before purchasing and placing a headstone in a cemetery, you must understand their rules. Here are some of the regulations common to most burial grounds to help you prepare.

5 Common Rules for Gravestones in Cemeteries

1. Style

Styles include upright stones, flat grave markers, side-by-side companion tombstones, and double-interment stones.  Check if you need a single or double plot and what options the cemetery allows for each. Also, look into what the cemetery requires for edging, like standard or beveled edging, as they may have rules to prevent damage from mowers and other landscaping equipment. 

2. Material

Most cemeteries require high-quality granite or bronze headstones. These materials hold up well in any weather. Using granite and bronze also maintains a uniform look throughout the burial grounds. Some cemeteries may also dictate which material you can use depending on which section your plot is in.

3. Dimensions

Cemeteries will have a range for the height, width, and thickness allowed. Common sizes are 24”x12”,  28”x16”, and 18”x24”. There may also be rules about the size and placement of special carvings like angels and crosses. 

4. Colors

Some locations don’t enforce color regulations, but others do to keep a consistent look on the grounds. For granite, browns, grays, and black are standard. Other places will allow pink and blue as well. Bronze headstones oxidize over time, and color options will range from dark to light.

5. Paperwork

Before placing any grave marker, the cemetery usually requires documentation and permits. The lot owner or next of kin will have to sign before installation, and some permits even require a drawing of the intended headstone, so your design must be decided on and documented in advance.

If you’re looking to design a headstone for a loved one, Hawaii Art Stone offers exceptional etching and custom stonework. They provide engraving services for Oahu and the neighbor islands on a range of materials, including glass, copper, and brass. Call (808) 744-3162 to inquire about the design process, or visit them online for more on their products.