*Estimation only. Does not include cemetery installation fees or foundation costs.
How to Estimate Headstone Costs
Planning a memorial is a deeply personal task that involves both emotional and financial considerations. A headstone calculator helps you navigate the various factors that influence the final price of a grave marker. Most memorials are priced based on the volume of stone used, the rarity of the material, and the complexity of the craftsmanship.
Key Factors in Headstone Pricing
Material Selection: Grey granite is typically the most affordable and durable choice. Premium colors like Jet Black or Blue Pearl can double the material cost. Marble is elegant but softer and more susceptible to weathering.
Weight and Dimensions: The weight of the stone dictates shipping and foundation requirements. A standard upright monument can weigh between 200 and 1,000 lbs depending on the thickness. Our calculator uses a density factor of approximately 170 lbs per cubic foot for granite.
Finishing and Polishing: "Polished 1" means only the face is smooth. "All-Polished" means all visible sides are ground and buffed to a shine, which increases labor costs significantly.
Lettering and Art: Most monument companies include a base number of characters (usually 20-30), charging per additional letter thereafter. Specialized techniques like hand-etching or laser-engraving photos also add to the total.
Typical Weight Examples
Knowing the weight is crucial for logistics. A standard 24″ x 12″ x 4″ flat marker weighs approximately 115 lbs. In contrast, a medium-sized upright monument (24″ x 24″ x 6″) can weigh over 340 lbs. Always verify if your cemetery has specific weight or size restrictions before purchasing.
function calculateHeadstone() {
var material = document.getElementById('material').value;
var style = document.getElementById('style').value;
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('width').value);
var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById('height').value);
var thickness = parseFloat(document.getElementById('thickness').value);
var characters = parseInt(document.getElementById('characters').value);
var finishMult = parseFloat(document.getElementById('finish').value);
var extras = parseFloat(document.getElementById('extras').value);
if (isNaN(width) || isNaN(height) || isNaN(thickness)) {
alert("Please enter valid dimensions.");
return;
}
// Calculate Volume in cubic inches
var volume = width * height * thickness;
// Weight Calculation (Average Granite Density is ~0.1 lbs per cubic inch)
var weight = volume * 0.098;
if (material === 'bronze') weight = weight * 0.85; // Bronze markers are lighter (hollow/thin)
// Base Price Calculation Logic
var pricePerCubicInch = 0.50; // Standard Granite
if (material === 'black_granite') pricePerCubicInch = 0.85;
if (material === 'marble') pricePerCubicInch = 1.10;
if (material === 'bronze') pricePerCubicInch = 1.50;
var styleMultiplier = 1.0;
if (style === 'slant') styleMultiplier = 1.3;
if (style === 'upright') styleMultiplier = 1.8;
var baseStoneCost = (volume * pricePerCubicInch * styleMultiplier * finishMult);
// Minimum pricing for small items
if (baseStoneCost 20) {
letterCost = (characters – 20) * 8;
}
var totalCost = baseStoneCost + letterCost + extras;
// Update UI
document.getElementById('resWeight').innerText = Math.round(weight) + " lbs";
document.getElementById('resBase').innerText = "$" + baseStoneCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resLetters').innerText = "$" + letterCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resTotal').innerText = "$" + totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resultBox').style.display = "block";
}