Choosing Between Upright & Flat Grave Markers: Which is Best? admin December 19, 2022

Choosing Between Upright & Flat Grave Markers: Which is Best?

Choosing Between Upright & Flat Grave Markers: Which is Best?

We understand that choosing a custom monument can feel overwhelming. We understand that it can be tough to narrow down your options. Here at Sunset Stone, we are here to work within your budget and provide you with the best advice and approach to monument design. We offer a wide variety of monument styles in various sizes and granite monument colors. Some clients may already have an idea of what they would like to have designed and manufactured.  Our experience graphic art department is here to work with you throughout the process to ensure that you are fully satisfied with the design. For those who are struggling with a monument design direction, our sales team and graphic artists are here to support you every step of the way. 

Among the many monument styles, the decision between selecting an upright monument or a flat grave marker can be a tough decision. Sunset Stone is here to make the process easier for you with a helpful guide differentiating the two. 

What is an upright monument?

Upright monuments tend to be a classic cemetery monument style due to their prominence in a cemetery landscape. Upright monuments are easier to read when standing at the foot of a grave. An upright monument is a memorial that stands perpendicular to the base. These monuments are often pinned to a flat granite base to stabilize them and ensure that they don’t tip over. These monuments come in a variety of colours and sizes, and they are great options for those who have purchased a grave in an upright section of the cemetery. They boldly stand out in the cemetery backdrop and the eye naturally falls to the level for reading from afar. Accessories such as cemetery vases and lighting can be added to the base of these monuments. The space around them can be adorned with a variety of personalized items. The upright monuments also come in a wide range of different unique and custom shapes, including obelisks or carved statuary within. Sunset Stone offers plenty of personalization when it comes to your upright monuments. Should you have a certain color, shape, and size in mind, don’t hesitate to ask us about our custom monument design capabilities. Call our toll free number to see if we can assist with a custom monument for you. 

Read more about our headstone monuments below: 

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What is a flat grave marker?

A flat memorial marker is a type of headstone that rests at the top of a grave, it lies flat or flush to the ground.  In larger cemeteries, there are often cemetery sections A flat memorial marker is a type of headstone that rests at the top of a grave, it lies flat or flush to the ground. In larger cemeteries, there are often cemetery sections dedicated to flat marker monuments only. These flat marker cemetery sections provide the uniformity to the cemetery landscape design focusing more on a peaceful grass covered field aesthetic. Pillow markers are like a flat marker only they rest slightly higher off the ground at a slight angle or slope.  Theses memorials often require a monument base to protect them from cemetery grass mowing machinery. These pillow and flat markers are typically less pronounced in a cemetery landscape. They can provide a more natural and elegant touch to any burial site. Many may shy away from flat grave markers because they believe the shape is not pronounced enough to memorialize a loved one, but Sunset Stone can create beautiful flat grave markers that are unique and pay a wonderful tribute to your loved one. Moreover, flat grave markers do tend to be more affordable than upright monuments. Our flat marker pricing includes personal one-on-one time with our graphic art designers who will assist you throughout the design process. We have an extensive graphic art gallery from which to select meaningful images.    

The Decision: Considerations When Choosing a Monument

  • Sunset Stone is always sensitive and helpful when it comes to assisting families through the decision-making process. We want to ensure that you choose the perfect monument, whether that’s an upright monument or a flat grave marker. Every Sunset Memorial & Stone product is made custom to your tastes, your traditions, and your beliefs. Over the past 30 years we have developed the expertise to create beautiful monument designs, inscribe the monument with care and craftsmanship, and finally to install the monuments at your chosen cemetery. Yes, there are a lot of decisions to be made, but Sunset has the capability that will give you the confidence that you are in good hands. As you being the process you will need to figure out a few things: 
  • The monument shape and finish – you can choose upright or flat grave monument, and select a finish that is highly polished, smooth, rock pitched or natural. 
  • The monument design elements – this part refers to the letter or font style and overall design layout – you may engrave your personal tribute with an epitaph a piece of graphic art or select a font that you best feel matches the aesthetic of your monument and your own personal preferences. 
  • Changes to the layout – choose your layout according to various design options or text alterations. We will not begin the monument inscription until you are 100% satisfied and have signed off on the artwork. 

You’ll want to ensure that the specifications, style, and design you choose meets within your graveyard’s regulations. Some graveyards will only allow flat grave monuments in certain sections. Sunset Stone’s team is always ready to step in and help should you need assistance determining the monument size regulations for the cemetery plot selection. 

Bottom line? Choose the marker that is right for you. Your choices may be narrowed depending on your cemetery of choice, but Sunset can work with you within the cemetery regulations of your selected graveyard to ensure that you can create the perfect monument that best matches your desire 

We understand that dealing with the death of a loved one is an incredibly difficult time for families. Sunset Stone prides itself in treating our clients with dignity, grace and compassion. Our experienced team enjoys working with families to help them find the perfect monument. We appreciate spending time with our families designing a monument that is both meaningful and personal. We pride ourselves in our customer service and our craftsmanship. Want to learn how we can help? Give us a call. 

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