Tombstones
Tombstones admin February 21, 2023

Grave Tombstones
A Lasting Memorial to the Departed.

A tombstone is an older more historic term used to describe what we often refer to today as a classic upright cemetery headstone.  It is also can be called an Upright Monument or can be referred to as an Upright Marker.

The Upright monument styles we offer can be rectangular in shape, or the top of the monument could have a graceful serpentine form.  This style of grave tombstone can also be more customized in an oval or more rustic natural shape.

Tombstones from Calgary Alberta

Upright Grave Tombstone Sizes and Finishes

Tombstone Sizes and Finishes in Calgary Alberta

Rock pitched and Polished Upright Tombstones

Some cemetery regulations and cemetery sections only allow for a specific size of upright monument. These regulations are often based on the plot size, or if the grave is a single or double width plot. To accommodate both the single and double width casket burials Sunset offers a wide variety of “standard sizes” to accommodate the cemetery regulations and the wishes of the families.

The finishes of our Upright grave tombstones can be polished, rock pitched, honed, sawn, or even flamed. These various granite finishes add detail, enhance the monument’s shape, and create a color contrast that can pop out the text, artwork, or monument details.

 

Our standard Serpentine- top Upright tombstone models come in a wide variety of sizes focusing on the thickness of the monument:
4” thick granite tombstone options
6” thick granite tombstone options
8” thick granite tombstone options

4” thick granite tombstone options

Tombstone at 4" thick in Calgary Alberta

6” thick granite tombstone options

Tombstone at 6" thick in Calgary Alberta

8” thick granite tombstone options

Tombstone at 8" thick in Calgary Alberta

Tombstones Memorial Quotes:
A Personal Touch

Custom Tombstone Epitaphs for your loved one
Customized Epitaphs

The advantage of an upright monument is often these memorials have a lot more room to fit heartfelt words. On the face and back of our standard upright models, there is room for poems, artistic details, or epitaphs. An epitaph is a short phrase or quote that is inscribed on grave tombstones that pays tribute to the life of those who passed away.

“Rest in Peace” is often a classic epitaph seen on grave tombstones. It’s anacronym “RIP” harkens back to the olden days when tombstone memorial quotes were harder to inscribe on stone.

Today, families are often seeking the perfect words, or the most meaningful descriptions to highlight the person they are commemorating. If you are looking for more ideas, our graphic department has a series of grave tombstone quotes that they will be most happy to share with you. So don’t hesitate to ask our team for some ideas.

Famous Epitaphs or Tombstone Memorial Quotes: Inspiration for Your Own

When choosing an epitaph, it can be helpful to look at some of the most famous and well-known inscriptions for inspiration.  Here are a few examples:

 

More familiar tombstone memorial quotes examples are:

Tombstones in Alberta:
A Unique Heritage

Alberta's Tombstone Heritage in Calgary
Alberta Cemetery

Alberta is a province in Canada with a rich history and western heritage. Although our province is rather young compared to the eastern coast, there are some older historic cemetery monuments that can be found in many of the older cemeteries.

These historic beautiful grave tombstones can be found in the older historic cemeteries throughout the province. Cemetery tombstones in Alberta often have an interesting back story to tell about the history of the area and its people.

If you are interested in learning more about the historical figures in your local cemetery, know that there are several historical societies that offer cemetery tours to share the true-life stories as you visit their graves and see their tombstones in Alberta.

Alberta is home to Sunset Memorial & Stone’s manufacturing operations centre. We ship our memorial tombstones in Calgary from our manufacturing operations to cemeteries throughout Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Orders can be placed for a memorial tombstone in Calgary over the phone and through emails. Our graphic design department has the skillset to collaborate with family members from long distance and help you create the perfect design. So don’t hesitate to call.

Flat tombstones vs Upright tombstones: What is the difference?

Flat Marker Tombstones from Calgary Alberta

Flat Marker

Upright Tombstone with base in Calgary Alberta

Upright Monument with Base

If you are looking for a “flat tombstone”, this term really refers to a rectangular granite slab that is generally 4” thick that lies flush with the ground at the head of a grave or the foot.

Flat tombstones are required in certain cemetery sections to make it easier for the groundskeeper. The flat tombstones are often set into the grass and create an unobstructed seamless cemetery landscape that looks peaceful and calm.

The words flat marker is often used instead of flat tombstone. So, if you are looking for a more minimalist approach for a monument, please check out our flat tombstones on the flat markers page for more details about this memorial product style. Or check out our showroom to see our memorial tombstones in Calgary.

An Upright grave tombstone is a monument that will have 2 components to it that run perpendicular to each other. These types of memorial tombstones in Calgary are often seen in the upright sections of a cemetery.

Upright Grave Tombstone FAQ's

To ensure the headstone stays “upright” a rectangular base is required with this specific style. To hold the monument perpendicular to the ground it is pinned to a substantial granite base to ensure its stability. The thickness of granite base will also depend on the size of the selected upright monument. The bases can be any color of granite so desired. The most cost-effective granite color any base will be a grey colored granite. If you wish, we can match the color of the base to the exact granite color of the headstone. Standard bases are grey; however, we can customize the base to match your monument. If the above listed standard sizes do not meet your vision, don’t hesitate to ask us about designing a custom size. We will be happy to accommodate your specific design preference.
The price of these Serpentine-top upright monuments is based on the granite color, the size of the Upright monument selected, and the detail of the base.  Don’t hesitate to ask about our upright special monuments.  Sunset offers a specialty size and color to accommodate any budget.

At Sunset Memorial & Stone, we always like to create personal unique memorial upright monuments for our families. This adds a little variety and specialization to our inventory.  So, if you are looking for something a little more unique, come by our showroom to see what we have on display.  If you don’t see the exact shape, size, or color you had in mind, don’t hesitate to ask us to order a specific shape.  We are always updating our showroom models as families purchase the products, they see on display, so our inventory is constantly changing.  We carry one of the largest inventories of tombstones in Alberta, so customers are welcome to see up close the granite color options and models we have in stock in the back lot as well.  Providing a flexible and customized experience for families is our specialty.

To ensure the headstone stays “upright” a rectangular base is required with this specific style. To hold the monument perpendicular to the ground it is pinned to a substantial granite base to ensure its stability. The thickness of granite base will also depend on the size of the selected upright monument. The bases can be any color of granite so desired. The most cost-effective granite color any base will be a grey colored granite. If you wish, we can match the color of the base to the exact granite color of the headstone. Standard bases are grey; however, we can customize the base to match your monument. If the above listed standard sizes do not meet your vision, don’t hesitate to ask us about designing a custom size. We will be happy to accommodate your specific design preference.
The price of these Serpentine-top upright monuments is based on the granite color, the size of the Upright monument selected, and the detail of the base. Don’t hesitate to ask about our upright special monuments. Sunset offers a specialty size and color to accommodate any budget.
If you are looking for a “flat tombstone”, this term really refers to a rectangular granite slab that is generally 4” thick that lies flush with the ground at the head of a grave or the foot. Flat tombstones are required in certain cemetery sections to make it easier for the groundskeeper. The flat tombstones are often set into the grass and create an unobstructed seamless cemetery landscape that looks peaceful and calm. The words flat marker is often used instead of flat tombstone. So, if you are looking for a more minimalist approach for a monument, please check out our flat tombstones on the flat markers page for more details about this memorial product style. Or check out our showroom to see our memorial tombstones in Calgary. An Upright grave tombstone is a monument that will have 2 components to it that run perpendicular to each other. These types of memorial tombstones in Calgary are often seen in the upright sections of a cemetery.
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