By Arslan Hajiyev, Founder, H Memorial Group · Published · Last updated · 3 min read
A companion headstone is a single memorial that honors two people — most often spouses — with a shared family name, two first names and two sets of dates. It is usually wider than a single stone and is placed across two adjacent graves or at the head of a double-depth plot. Many couples order one in advance and leave the second date to be added later.
Key Takeaways
- A companion headstone carries two names and two sets of dates on one stone.
- Companion flat markers in our catalog run $485 – $1,515; companion bevel $1,692 – $2,727; companion slant $2,424 – $3,127.
- Couples often pre-inscribe the living spouse’s name and birth year.
- Confirm the cemetery allows one stone across a two-grave plot.
What types of companion headstones are there?
Companion stones come in the same profiles as single memorials. Listed prices are from capitalgravemarkers.com as of October 10, 2026.
| Type | Example | Listed price range |
|---|---|---|
| Companion flat | Heart Emblem Flat Granite Marker | $485 – $606 |
| Companion flat | Flat Companion Granite Grave Marker with Roses | $1,218 – $1,515 |
| Companion bevel | Bevel Granite Companion Headstone with Floral Corners | $2,166 – $2,727 |
| Companion slant | Simple Companion Granite Monument with Rustic Base | $2,691 – $3,127 |
| Companion shaped upright | Serpentine-Top Upright Jewish Headstone with Star of David | $2,517 – $3,316 |
What size is a companion headstone?
Companion stones are wider than single stones so each name has its own panel. Our companion flat markers measure 24 × 12 × 1 in and 36 × 12 × 4 in. For comparison, a common single flat marker is 20 × 10 or 24 × 12 in. Your cemetery sets the maximum width for a two-grave plot, so confirm it first — see Cemetery Headstone Rules.
What is usually written on a companion headstone?
A typical layout places the shared surname across the top and each person’s first name and dates in their own panel below.
- Family name centered at the top.
- Left and right panels: first name, birth date and death date for each person.
- A shared line such as a marriage date or a short epitaph.
- An optional symbol between the panels: hearts, rings, a cross or roses.
For wording ideas, read What to Write on a Headstone.
Can I order a companion headstone while one spouse is living?
Yes. This is called a pre-need inscription. The living spouse’s name and birth year are engraved now, and the final date is added later by on-site engraving at the cemetery. Plan the layout so the space left for that date matches the lettering style used for the first person.
Ask the cemetery whether it permits later engraving on site and whether it charges a fee for it.
Is a companion headstone better than two single markers?
A single companion stone usually costs less than two separate stones of the same style and presents the couple together. Two singles can make sense when the cemetery requires one marker per grave or when the family prefers individual memorials. Compare listed prices for companion flat headstones with single flat headstones.
How do companion headstone designs keep two inscriptions balanced?
Companion headstone designs provide a shared memorial for two people, often with a common family name or tribute. Plan both inscriptions together even if one will be completed later. The cemetery must approve the size and placement across the intended plot. Capital Grave Markers offers companion options in several forms; the product’s actual dimensions determine the available layout space.
Decide which details are shared and which belong to each person. A surname, verse or symbol can unite the layout, while individual names and dates need clear separation. Check the reading order in the proof. A design that looks symmetrical in a sample may need adjustment when the real names have different lengths.
If one person is living, do not invent a future date to fill a space. Ask how the reserved area should be shown and whether later engraving will require separate arrangements. Future work is not automatically included in the current purchase. Keep the approved plan for that area with the family’s order records.
Check the plot boundaries before choosing a wider stone. Ask who must approve a memorial serving adjacent burial spaces and whether the base has its own limits. Compare companion catalog options with the full cemetery rules. Request a written scope for the chosen design, inscription and any services so a shared memorial does not depend on assumptions about access, installation or later additions.
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Sources
- Federal Trade Commission — Buying a Cemetery Site
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Headstones and Markers: Types
Prices quoted are listed prices on capitalgravemarkers.com as of October 2, 2026 and may change. The product page, written quote and signed agreement control your order.
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