Headstone prices vary wildly, and nobody makes it easy to compare. This guide lays out real prices for a standard 28x16x3in flat granite headstone from the main options available in 2026, including custom engraving, so you can make an informed decision without spending hours digging through individual websites.
Why Headstone Prices Vary So Much
The granite in a $900 flat marker and a $2,500 flat marker is often the same. The price difference comes from who is selling it and how many hands it passes through.
- Funeral home markup: Buy through a funeral home and pay 2-3x the monument's true cost. Average funeral home quote for a standard flat marker: $2,000 to $4,000.
- Local monument dealers: Physical storefronts carry overhead, rent, staff, showroom inventory. A flat marker typically runs $800 to $1,200 before engraving charges.
- Online direct-to-consumer: Suppliers who source granite directly from quarries and skip the retail layer can price the same marker at $600 to $1,000 with engraving included.
2026 Price Comparison: 28x16x3in Flat Granite Headstone
These are current prices researched in April 2026 for a standard 28x16x3in flat granite headstone with custom engraving (name, dates, and epitaph). Verify with each seller before ordering.
| Seller | Stone Price | Engraving | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SilkStone Memorial | from $599 | FREE | from $599 |
| Honor Life | ~$614 | FREE | ~$664 |
| Markers & Headstones | ~$839 | FREE | ~$869 |
| Signature Headstones | $600 to $900 | varies | $700 to $1,000+ |
| Local Monument Dealer | $800 to $1,500 | $100 to $300+ | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Funeral Home | $2,000 to $4,000 | included | $2,000 to $4,000 |
Prices researched April 2026. All figures are approximate. Confirm current pricing directly with each seller before placing an order.
Funeral Homes: Convenient, But Expensive
Most families who buy through their funeral home pay $2,000 to $4,500 for a flat granite marker that could be purchased directly for under $1,000. The funeral home does not cut the stone or engrave it, they order it from a monument supplier and add their own margin.
There is no legal requirement to buy your headstone through a funeral home. The FTC Funeral Rule protects your right to use any supplier you choose.
Funeral homes are convenient because they handle the logistics. If that simplicity is worth an extra $1,000 to $2,000 to you, that is a personal decision. But you should make it with full knowledge of what you are paying for.
Local Monument Dealers: Middle of the Road
Independent monument shops sit between funeral homes and online direct sellers on price. They often have good relationships with local cemeteries and can handle installation coordination.
For a straightforward flat marker, expect to pay $800 to $1,500 for the stone, plus separate per-letter engraving charges. Local dealers commonly charge $15 to $18 per letter for engraving beyond a basic name and dates. A modest epitaph of 30 words can add $300 to $800 to your total.
The main advantages: you can see the stone in person, and you have a local contact if anything goes wrong.
Online Direct-to-Consumer: The Best Value
The main players for 28x16x3in flat granite headstones online are SilkStone Memorial, Honor Life, and Markers & Headstones. All include some form of custom engraving. The key differences are stone origin, engraving scope, and price.
Online suppliers work because granite is granite. A polished black granite marker ships the same way whether it came from a local shop or an online warehouse. The quality of the stone and the engraving depends on the supplier's sourcing and process, not on whether you bought it in a showroom.
Why SilkStone Memorial
SilkStone sources granite directly from quarries in the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan, no U.S. distributor or wholesale intermediary. That direct supply chain is how we keep prices where they are.
Our collection includes three granite types:
- Himalayan Gray (also Georgia Gray, Tropical Gray, or Silver Gray), $599, free custom engraving
- K2 Black (also Absolute Black, Jet Black, or India Black), $599, free custom engraving
- Midnight Gold, our exclusive, unavailable elsewhere, $1249, free custom engraving
Every stone is hand-finished in our workshop using sandblasting with stencils, the industry standard for clean, permanent engraving on granite. We send a digital proof before any cutting begins.
What "Free Engraving" Actually Means
Not all free engraving is the same. Some sellers advertise it but charge extra for:
- Characters beyond a specific limit
- Custom fonts outside a small standard set
- Religious or decorative symbols
- Portrait etchings or hand-drawn artwork
At SilkStone Memorial, free engraving includes full personalization: name, birth and death dates, epitaph, and symbols from our standard library. For portrait etchings or highly custom artwork beyond the catalogue, contact us for a separate quote.
Shipping: Can Granite Actually Arrive Safely?
A 28x16x3in flat granite headstone weighs roughly 80 to 120 lbs depending on the stone. SilkStone ships via UPS Ground with specialized packing: foam corners, double-boxed, marked fragile. The shipment is fully insured. If damage occurs in transit, we replace it.
Shipping is calculated at checkout based on your location. We deliver to home addresses, cemeteries, or monument installers, whichever works best for your situation.
Quality: Is Online Granite Any Different?
All reputable sellers, whether local or online, use natural granite. The stone itself does not change based on the channel you buy through. What varies is the sourcing quality, the finishing process, and the engraving method.
The 28x16x3in thickness (3 inches) matters. Thinner stones (2 inches) are more prone to cracking over time, especially in climates with freeze-thaw cycles. A 3-inch flat marker is the right balance: durable enough for permanent outdoor placement, lighter and safer to ship than a 4-inch slab.
How to Order a Headstone Online
- Confirm your cemetery's specs. Ask for maximum dimensions, minimum thickness, color restrictions, and whether an outside supplier is permitted.
- Choose your granite color. Gray is the most traditional and most affordable. Black offers a modern look with high contrast engraving. Gold is distinctive and exclusive.
- Submit engraving details. Name, dates, epitaph, and any symbols or artwork you want included.
- Approve the digital proof. Review carefully before confirming. Check spelling, dates, and layout. Revisions are included until you are satisfied.
- Coordinate installation. Most cemeteries handle setting for a flat fee ($150 to $400 depending on the cemetery).
Total timeline from order to delivery: typically 4 to 8 weeks. Rush production (2 weeks or less) is available for an additional fee.
Ready to Compare?
If you are looking for a quality 28x16x3in flat granite headstone with free engraving, SilkStone Memorial starts at $599. No per-letter charges, no hidden fees.
Browse our collection or contact us with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the cheapest headstones online in 2026?
For a 28x16x3in flat granite headstone with free custom engraving, SilkStone Memorial starts at $599 for Himalayan Gray granite. Honor Life is priced slightly lower but with a narrower selection. Funeral homes are consistently the most expensive option, typically $2,000 to $4,000 for the same marker.
Do I have to buy a headstone from the funeral home?
No. The FTC Funeral Rule gives you the right to purchase a headstone from any retailer, including online suppliers. Funeral homes cannot require you to purchase exclusively through them. Buying direct typically saves $600 to $1,500 or more.
Is free engraving actually free, or are there hidden charges?
It depends on the supplier. Some sellers advertise free engraving but charge for anything beyond a name and date, fonts, symbols, epitaphs, or character limits can trigger extra fees. SilkStone Memorial includes full personalization (name, dates, epitaph, and standard symbols) at no extra charge.
Can granite headstones be shipped safely?
Yes. A 28x16x3in flat granite headstone weighs roughly 80 to 120 lbs and ships via UPS Ground with specialized packaging, foam padding, double-boxed, and fully insured. If a stone is damaged in transit, reputable online suppliers replace it.
