Headstone FAQ

SilkStone flat granite headstones start from $599 for Himalayan Gray, $599 for K2 Black, and $1249 for Midnight Gold. Every memorial is a 28x16x3in flat marker. All prices include free custom engraving and fully insured UPS Ground shipping to all 48 contiguous states.

Traditional headstone pricing involves multiple middlemen: the quarry sells to a distributor, then a wholesaler, then a local dealer. Each adds a markup. SilkStone sources granite directly from quarries in the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan that the family has worked with for generations, and finishes each stone at our own workshop. By controlling the supply chain from quarry to delivery and selling direct to you, SilkStone eliminates those markups.

SilkStone's Himalayan Gray flat granite marker starts at $599 for a full 28x16x3in memorial with free engraving and insured shipping included. This is one of the most affordable options for a genuine granite headstone online, with no hidden fees or extra charges for standard engraving.

Buying online is typically much cheaper. Local monument dealers charge $2,000+ or more for a comparable 28x16x3in flat granite marker. SilkStone starts from $599 with free engraving and shipping included, saving families hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Yes. SilkStone includes free custom engraving of names, dates, and an epitaph on every stone at no extra cost. Local dealers typically charge $15-18 per letter for engraving beyond the basic name and date. A 50-character epitaph could cost $750 to $900 at a local shop.

Yes. SilkStone ships free via fully insured UPS Ground to all 48 contiguous states. Every memorial is packaged in a wooden crate with foam padding to ensure safe delivery. There are no shipping surcharges at checkout.

SilkStone offers Shop Pay installments, which let you split your purchase into 4 interest-free payments. This is available at checkout, subject to eligibility. There is no application process and no credit impact for checking eligibility.

At SilkStone, engraving is free and included with every memorial. Local engravers typically charge $15-18 per letter for text beyond a basic name and date. A 50-character epitaph could cost $750 to $900 at a local shop, while SilkStone includes it at no extra charge.

SilkStone sources granite directly from quarries in the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan that the family has worked with for generations. By controlling the entire supply chain from quarry to delivery and selling direct to consumers online, SilkStone eliminates the distributor, wholesaler, and dealer markups that inflate local prices.

No. The listed price includes the granite stone, custom engraving of names, dates, and an epitaph, and fully insured UPS Ground shipping. The only optional add-on is rush production for +$300, which delivers your memorial in 2 weeks or less.

Yes. You do not need a funeral home to purchase a headstone. You can order directly from SilkStone online and have it delivered to your home, the cemetery, or a monument installer of your choice. The ordering process is entirely online.

SilkStone delivers in 4 to 8 weeks from the time you approve your digital proof. Rush production is available for +$300, with delivery in 2 weeks or less. You will receive your digital proof within a few business days of placing your order.

After you place your order, SilkStone creates a detailed digital proof showing exactly how your memorial will look. You review the proof, request any changes you would like, and give your approval before engraving begins. No work starts until you are satisfied with the design.

Yes. SilkStone sends a digital proof for your review before any engraving begins. You can request unlimited revisions until you are fully satisfied with the design, at no extra cost.

Once you approve the proof and engraving has begun, changes cannot be made. That is why SilkStone offers unlimited revisions at the proof stage to ensure everything is exactly right before production starts.

SilkStone offers one standard size: 28x16x3in, which is one of the most commonly accepted flat marker sizes at U.S. cemeteries. Check with your cemetery to confirm they accept this size before ordering.

Yes. There is no time limit on ordering a headstone. Many families order memorials months or even years after a loved one has passed. You can place your order online at any time.

Yes, it is recommended. Cemeteries have specific rules about headstone size, type, and placement. Confirm that your cemetery accepts a 28x16x3in flat granite marker before placing your order to avoid any issues.

SilkStone provides a digital proof and photos of the finished stone before shipping. If the engraving does not match the approved proof, SilkStone will make it right. All shipments are fully insured against transit damage, so if your memorial arrives damaged, it will be replaced at no cost.

Yes. SilkStone offers rush production for +$300, with delivery in 2 weeks or less from proof approval. If you have a specific cemetery installation date or deadline, contact SilkStone to discuss your timeline.

SilkStone headstones are made of natural granite quarried in the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan. Each 28x16x3in flat marker is cut, polished, and engraved at our workshop using a hand-finished sandblasting process.

All SilkStone memorials are 28x16x3in (28 inches long, 16 inches wide, 3 inches thick). This is one of the most commonly accepted flat marker sizes at U.S. cemeteries.

The terms are often used interchangeably. A headstone typically refers to an upright monument, while a grave marker can refer to any memorial placed at a gravesite. SilkStone specializes in flat markers, which lie flat on the ground or on a foundation.

SilkStone offers three granite colors: K2 Black (a deep black granite), Himalayan Gray (a warm gray), and Midnight Gold (a rare granite with natural gold veining, exclusive to SilkStone). All are quarried in the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan.

A 28x16x3in granite flat marker weighs approximately 130 to 160 pounds depending on the granite type. SilkStone packages each stone in a wooden crate with foam padding for safe, fully insured shipping via UPS Ground.

K2 Black is a premium deep black granite quarried in the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan. It is also known in the industry as Absolute Black, Jet Black, or Nero Assoluto. SilkStone offers K2 Black 28x16x3in flat markers starting at $599.

Himalayan Gray is a natural warm gray granite, comparable to what the industry calls Georgia Gray, Tropical Gray, or Silver Gray. It is quarried in the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan. SilkStone offers Himalayan Gray flat markers starting at $599.

Midnight Gold is a rare Himalayan granite with a dark base and natural gold mineral veining. It is exclusive to SilkStone and not comparable to any industry-standard stone. Available from $1249.

SilkStone uses sandblasting with stencils for all engraving. This is a hand-finished process that creates deep, permanent lettering in the granite surface. The result is highly resistant to weathering and will remain legible for many decades.

Sandblasted engraving on granite is deep-cut and highly resistant to wear. Granite is an exceptionally durable natural stone, and properly sandblasted lettering can remain legible for many decades with minimal maintenance.

Most cemeteries accept headstones purchased from any source, not just their affiliated dealers. However, some cemeteries may charge a setting fee for stones purchased elsewhere. Contact your cemetery before ordering to confirm their policy.

In most U.S. states, cemeteries cannot require you to purchase a headstone from a specific dealer. The FTC Funeral Rule protects consumers' rights to make purchases from the provider of their choice. Check your state's specific regulations for details.

Some cemeteries require a concrete foundation or border for flat markers, while others set them directly on a prepared gravel base. Contact your cemetery to learn their specific foundation requirements before ordering.

Yes. SilkStone can ship your memorial directly to the cemetery, to your home, or to a monument installer of your choice. All shipments are via fully insured UPS Ground.

SilkStone memorials are 28x16x3in, one of the most commonly accepted flat marker sizes. If your cemetery requires a different size, contact SilkStone before ordering to discuss options.

Some cemeteries require professional installation, while others allow families to set flat markers themselves. A flat marker installation typically involves preparing a level base and placing the stone. Check with your cemetery for their specific requirements.

Flat markers are typically installed by digging a shallow area, preparing a level gravel or concrete base, and setting the marker flush with the surrounding ground. Many cemeteries handle installation for a setting fee.

A setting fee is a charge by the cemetery for installing a headstone on the gravesite. Setting fees vary by cemetery but typically range from $100 to $500. This fee is separate from the cost of the headstone itself.

Most cemeteries accept flat granite markers, but some have restrictions on headstone type, size, or material. Always confirm with your cemetery that they accept a 28x16x3in flat granite marker before placing your order.

In most cases, yes. There is no legal deadline for placing a headstone. Some families place a headstone within weeks of burial, while others wait months or years. Check with your cemetery about any timing requirements they may have.

Common headstone inscriptions include the person's full name, birth and death dates, and a short epitaph or meaningful phrase. Some families also add religious symbols, military insignia, or custom designs. SilkStone includes engraving of names, dates, and an epitaph at no extra cost.

A 28x16in flat marker can typically accommodate 80 to 120 words depending on the font size and layout. This is usually enough for full names, dates, an epitaph, and a small design element. SilkStone provides a digital proof so you can see exactly how the text will fit.

SilkStone currently offers sandblasted engraving for text and designs. Ceramic photo plaques are a common option for adding photographs to headstones and can be ordered separately from specialty providers and affixed to the stone after installation.

SilkStone offers a variety of fonts suitable for memorial engraving, from classic serif styles to clean modern lettering. You will see your chosen font in the digital proof before engraving begins, and you can request changes at no extra cost.

Yes. SilkStone offers a catalogue of standard designs and symbols included with every memorial. Custom designs beyond the standard catalogue are available and quoted separately. All designs are rendered via sandblasting with stencils.

Yes. SilkStone offers designs for multiple faith traditions, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and LDS (Mormon) symbols. These can be included as part of your memorial design at no extra charge.

Common epitaphs include phrases like "Forever in Our Hearts," "Rest in Peace," "Gone but Never Forgotten," and "In Loving Memory." SilkStone has a collection of over 200 epitaph ideas organized by theme on the website.

Yes. SilkStone can engrave text in most languages that use Latin, Arabic, Hebrew, Chinese, or other scripts. Contact SilkStone with your text to confirm availability for your specific language and script.

Yes. A 28x16in flat marker has enough space for two names, two sets of dates, and a shared epitaph. Many couples choose a companion headstone to be placed together. SilkStone includes all engraving at no extra cost.

Yes. SilkStone has a design catalogue on the website showing available layouts, borders, and symbols. You also receive a digital proof after ordering so you can see exactly how your memorial will look before engraving begins.