When your loved one died, it is not a tiny expenditure concerned with their burial expenses. Among the things you need to prepare, buying a headstone may account for a large part since most headstone costs are expensive.

If you know what determines the cost of a headstone and how to save money when buying it, you can economize a lot of money.

The Factors Influence The Cost of Headstone

Many factors influence the cost of the headstone, but the three most important ones are material, size and artwork.

Material

Since stone can keep longer without being destroyed easily and hardly fall, it becomes the most popular material for making headstone.

Granite, marble, sandstone and slate are applied in tombstone production. Prices for each kind of stone vary widely. Even for identical stones, different colours charge differently.

Size

The size is another factor affecting the price of a gravestone. It can be varied according to the style you choose.

Upright Monuments - Generally, a monument is 20 to 48 inches tall and 20 to 36 inches long. The size of a granite companion monument would be longer, between 24 to 60.

Flat Markers - the standard size of a flat marker is 24”×12”×4”. The companion flat marker is larger, 36”×12”×4”.

Slant - Although the slant marker looks like an upright memorial monument, it is virtual much less expensive. A slant stone is 24 to 36 inches wide, 16 to 18 inches tall, 10 inches thick.

Artwork

Once the material and size are confirmed, it is still a critical process needing attention - artwork. The headstone artwork is comprehensive, but the basic processes are unchanged: Cutting headstone, Polishing the surface, engraving and sandblasting letters, washing tombstone.

If you only require a simple design gravestone, these steps are enough for you. However, if you prefer a unique design cemetery monument with intricate artistry, the expense will be more considerable since masons should spend more time and energy to carve it.

The Methods to Save Money for Headstones

When you purchase a headstone, you are not only purchasing the product but also buy the service.

Although some retailers may tell you that they provide free service, they are not free - They have been added to the fee. To cut the cost of a headstone, you need to care about every aspect.

1. Choose A Cheap Stone Material

Choosing cheap stone material is necessary for curb cost. If the region you live in has stone quarries, you can visit them and purchase material at a discount. Of course, you have to transport the stone to the plant for additional processing.

2. Use A Small Size Headstone

If the size of the headstone is not so big, the cost of material will be less. Also, you can even deliver it by yourself to save on transportation fees.

3. Select A Simple Design Headstone

A headstone with the exquisite craft will cost high because masons should spend more time and energy to carve it. So, selecting a simple design gravestone would save you a lot of money.

4. Dig Grave And Set Tombstone by yourself

If the stone is not a big and complex one, the procedure of digging a grave and setting a tombstone would not be difficult for you. Since the labour cost is high, Why do not do it by yourself?

5. Make A Headstone by Yourself

This is the most economical method to save money on a headstone.

First, make a wooden mould with the size and shape you like and pour concrete into it.

Second, put stamp letters about the decease’s information into the humid concrete.

Third, after the concrete dry, get it from the mould and get a particular gravestone made by yourself.

We are a professional headstone manufacturer with 8000 square meters and more than 70 skilful workers. If you want to buy an affordable tombstone, please contact us at Leo@xmmason.com. For more information about cemetery memorials, please visit www.xmmason.com.