Hand-carved headstones by Headstone Type Guide — 80+ years in Morris County, NJ.
Headstones
Over 80 Years in NJ
Ready When You Are
Call, email, schedule a free quote, or visit the showroom in person. Real people answer the phone Monday through Saturday.
Headstone Type Guide serves all 14 New Jersey counties from our Morris County headquarters, providing every type of headstone to families in Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Union, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. We manage design, fabrication, and cemetery installation entirely in-house.
The type of headstone a family can choose is often shaped by the rules of the receiving cemetery. New Jersey's cemeteries individually specify which headstone types are permitted in which sections, with rules covering height, dimensions, materials, and installation methods. Headstone Type Guide verifies the applicable regulations for every order before fabrication begins.
Different headstone types require different foundation approaches. Upright monuments require deep concrete bases for stability. Slant stones need level, angle-true footings. Flat markers are set on precisely graded concrete beds. Pillow headstones require footings similar to upright stones. Headstone Type Guide's installation crews are experienced with all types and prepare foundations to each cemetery's specification.
The headstone type appropriate for a specific cemetery section is often influenced by the cemetery's religious affiliation. Jewish cemeteries frequently prefer simple upright tablets or flat markers. Catholic grounds often welcome arch-top or cross-carved stones. Orthodox sections may call for specific proportions associated with Eastern Christian memorial forms. Headstone Type Guide is familiar with all of these traditions.
There are five principal types of headstones found in New Jersey's cemeteries, and Headstone Type Guide produces all of them. Upright headstones are the most common type — standing tablets on matching granite bases, available in flat-top, arch-top, and ogee-top profiles. They offer the strongest vertical presence and the largest available inscription surface. Slant headstones angle the inscription face forward, presenting the engraved surface toward the viewer in a way that is both contemporary and practical for readability. Flat headstones lie at or just above ground level, presenting the inscription face skyward; they are required in many veterans' sections and modern memorial parks. Pillow headstones have a rounded, cushion-like crown that gives the memorial a softness associated with rest and tranquility. Custom headstones take a form unique to the individual — a silhouette, a sculptural element, or an entirely original design developed in collaboration with the family and Headstone Type Guide's Morris County artisans. All five types are produced from American-made granite using the hand-carving techniques — sandblasting stencils, rotary engraving, hand chisels — refined in our Morris County workshop over 80+ years. Every type is available in the full range of granite colors Headstone Type Guide carries, and every type is fabricated to meet the cemetery-compliant specifications confirmed before fabrication begins.
Granite color is relevant for all headstone types, though the visual logic differs by format. For upright stones viewed head-on, Classic Black and Jet Black maximize engraving contrast. For flat markers read from above, the same principle applies. Slant and pillow types benefit from colors that show the stone's profile clearly — Balmoral Red and Blue Pearl can be effective here. All granite is American-made.
Design for different headstone types follows different compositional logic. Upright stones are designed for front-facing viewing at eye level. Flat stones require overhead viewing logic. Slant stones combine forward-facing readability with the visual weight of the base. Pillow stones feature crown carvings that are visible from above as well as front inscriptions. Headstone Type Guide's artisans draft proofs suited to each type's specific geometry.
Headstone Type Guide's six-step process is consistent across all headstone types. Step one is consultation: the family discusses which type suits their vision and the cemetery's requirements. Step two is cemetery verification: Headstone Type Guide confirms which types are permitted in the intended section. Step three is material selection: granite color, finish, and dimensions for the specific type are finalized. Step four is design drafting: a scaled proof is prepared and reviewed by the family. Step five is hand-carving: craftsmen engrave the approved design into American-made granite using methods refined over 80+ years. Step six is installation: Headstone Type Guide delivers, prepares the type-specific foundation, and sets the stone correctly. Most headstones are completed within eight to twelve weeks.
New Jersey families have entrusted us with their memorials for three generations.
“Headstone Type Guide explained the differences between the headstone types so clearly that we knew exactly what we wanted before we left the first consultation. The finished stone was exactly what we had pictured.” — George, Sussex County NJ
If you do not see your question here, call us.
From initial consultation to cemetery installation, most headstones are completed within eight to twelve weeks. That window includes design drafting, family approval, hand-carving in our Morris County workshop, and coordination with the cemetery for foundation preparation and placement. We give every family an honest timeline at the outset.
Yes. Headstone Type Guide serves all 14 New Jersey counties from our Morris County headquarters. We handle delivery and professional installation at cemeteries throughout Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Union, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties — coordinating every step directly with the cemetery office.
Yes. Before any stone is cut, Headstone Type Guide verifies the receiving cemetery's current regulations — permitted height, base dimensions, acceptable finish types, and installation scheduling. Cemetery-compliant specifications are confirmed in writing before fabrication begins, protecting the family's investment and ensuring smooth installation.
Absolutely. Families regularly bring photographs, hand-drawn sketches, military insignia, religious artwork, or personal poetry. Our Morris County artisans incorporate all personal materials into a scaled design proof, which the family reviews and approves before any carving begins. Revisions are a normal part of the process.
Yes. Headstone Type Guide creates veteran memorial configurations incorporating branch insignia, rank designations, service dates, and authorized emblems. Companion stones honoring a veteran alongside a spouse are also available. We meet national cemetery dimension standards when required.
Yes — English, Russian, and Polish.
Browse a few of the stones we have set, then come visit us in person. Sample stones, finishes, and lettering are all on display.
We serve families across Morris, Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson counties and all of New Jersey. Fill out the form, drop by the showroom, or call us. Real people answer the phone Monday through Saturday.
A specialist contacts you within one business day. House calls available across Morris County and the surrounding region.
