Headstone inscription guides.

How much does it cost to add an inscription to a headstone?

A 2026 breakdown of what US monument dealers actually charge to add a second date, a new name, or a full epitaph to an existing headstone — by stone material, region, and font.

9 min read

Monument inscription cost: what shops actually charge in 2026

A monument-industry perspective on inscription pricing. What goes into a dealer's quote, what families are actually quoted, and how AI-assisted layout is bending the per-job economics.

7 min read

Writing a gravestone inscription: a family decision guide

A step-by-step guide for families writing a gravestone inscription together — how to decide what to include, how to navigate disagreements, and how to make sure everyone signs off before the stone is cut.

8 min read

Epitaph for a headstone: 60 short epitaph examples

Short epitaph examples for a headstone or gravestone — organized by tone, faith, and relationship. Plus how to write your own epitaph in five lines or less.

9 min read

Headstone fonts: a practical guide for families

The eight font families you’ll see on most American headstones, gravestones, and tombstones — what they look like, what they cost to cut, and which one matches your existing stone.

7 min read

How to add a second date to an existing headstone

A step-by-step guide for families adding a death date to a stone that already shows a birth date. What the dealer needs from you, what the cemetery requires, and what it actually costs.

8 min read

Funny headstone quotes: tasteful humor that holds up

Funny headstone quotes families have actually used — wry, warm, and short enough to engrave. With guidance on when humor on a stone works and when it doesn’t.

7 min read

Headstone inscription ideas: 80 examples families actually choose

A curated list of headstone, gravestone, and tombstone inscription examples — organized by tone, religion, and relationship — plus the standard inscription pattern and how to decide what to write.

12 min read

Granite vs marble headstones: which works better for new inscriptions?

Granite and marble behave very differently when a sandblaster adds new lettering decades after the stone is installed. Here is what monument dealers know that families usually don't.

6 min read

Military headstone inscription examples for veterans

Headstone inscription examples for military veterans — branch, era, service phrases, and how the VA government-furnished marker process works.

8 min read

On-site headstone engraving: how cemetery engraving works

How on-site headstone engraving — also called cemetery engraving or in-place sandblasting — works in 2026. What the engraver brings, what the family pays, and how Monumize fits.

7 min read

Headstone quotes: 90 verses, sayings, and lines families choose

A curated collection of headstone quotes — scripture, poetry, and original lines — organized by tone. Pick a quote, preview it in your font, and turn it into a proof on the same page.

10 min read

Cemetery rules for headstone inscriptions

Most cemeteries regulate headstone inscription size, symbols, religious content, and bronze vs granite. Here’s how to find out what applies to your family’s plot before you order an engraving.

8 min read

Headstone inscription for a mother: 30 examples

Thirty headstone inscription examples for a mother — short tributes, scripture lines, and personal phrases families have chosen. Plus how to pick one that fits her.

6 min read

Headstone inscription for a father: 30 examples

Thirty headstone inscription examples for a father — short, dignified, and personal lines families have chosen. Includes military, scripture, and plainspoken options.

6 min read

Headstone inscription for a son: examples and guidance

Headstone inscription examples for a son. Practical guidance for parents and siblings writing what is often the hardest line a family ever writes.

6 min read

Headstone inscription for a daughter: examples and guidance

Headstone inscription examples for a daughter. Short, gentle lines that families have chosen — and practical guidance for parents and siblings.

6 min read

Headstone inscription for a spouse: examples and guidance

Headstone inscription examples for a spouse — husband, wife, or partner. How to write a line that holds up across decades of visits.

7 min read

Headstone Bible quotes: 30 verses families choose

Thirty Bible verses commonly engraved on American headstones — Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms — with citations and the contexts they fit. All public domain.

8 min read

How long does a headstone inscription take to add?

A realistic timeline for adding a new inscription — including a second or final date — to an existing headstone. From the first phone call to a finished engraving in the cemetery.

6 min read