Upright, Slant, or Bevel? A Visual Guide to Headstone and Monument Styles

What are the Different Styles of Cemetery Headstones?

The four primary styles of cemetery memorials are Flat Markers (flush with the ground), Bevel Markers (sit slightly above ground with a subtle slope), Slant Monuments (cut with a steep, angled face on a low base), and Upright Monuments (a vertical tablet or "die" secured to a horizontal stone base). The right style depends on personal preference, budget, and individual cemetery regulations.

Walking into a monument showroom or browsing designs online can quickly become overwhelming if you aren't familiar with the terminology. Many industry terms sound technical, but they simply refer to the physical shape of the stone and how it sits on the ground.

Choosing the right shape impacts how much text can be engraved, how visible the memorial is from a distance, and how well it fits within your budget. Here is a straightforward breakdown of the most common monument styles used in Upstate South Carolina cemeteries.

1. Flat Markers (Flush Memorials)

As the name implies, flat markers are installed level with the surrounding lawn. They are generally 3 to 4 inches thick and provide a clean, understated look.

• Best For: Meeting strict regulations. Many modern memorial parks and sectioned areas of municipal cemeteries require flat markers exclusively to preserve a wide-open, park-like view and allow lawnmowers to pass directly over them safely.

• Materials: Usually crafted from durable granite or cast bronze mounted onto a granite base.

2. Bevel Markers (Hickey Markers)

A bevel marker sits flat on the ground but features a very slight, gentle slope from the back edge down to the front edge (typically dropping about 1 or 2 inches in height).

• The Advantage: Because of the subtle angle, water naturally sheds off the face of the stone, and the lettering is significantly easier to read from a standing position than a completely flat marker. It rises just enough above the grass line to stand out while remaining highly economical.

  
  

3. Slant Monuments

Slant monuments offer a middle ground between a low-profile marker and a tall upright monument. They feature a wide, sturdy base that abruptly slopes back at a sharp angle, creating a broad vertical face for engraving.

• Design Flexibility: A slant can be placed directly onto the concrete foundation, or it can be elevated by mounting it onto an additional horizontal granite base.

• Visibility: The steep angled face makes the text highly visible from a distance while keeping the monument incredibly stable and resistant to tipping.

4. Upright Monuments (Traditional Headstones)

This is the classic silhouette most people picture when they think of a cemetery monument. An upright monument is a two-piece structure consisting of the Die (the vertical, polished tablet where the name and details are carved) and the Base (the thick, horizontal stone block that anchors the die to the concrete foundation).

• The Tablet Shapes: The top of the vertical tablet can be cut into several traditional shapes:

  • Serpentine: A gentle, elegant wave cresting in the center (the most traditional style).

  • Oval or Roof Top: A smooth, continuous rounded curve or a peaked pitch.

  • Straight / Flat: A clean, modern rectangular look.

• Family Estates: Upright monuments are the premier choice for companion headstones and multi-grave family plots because they provide the maximum amount of surface area for custom lettering, family history, and decorative artwork on both the front and back.

Anatomy of a Monument: A Quick Glossary

When discussing custom options with a monument builder, you might hear a few specific structural terms:

Term	What It Means
The Die	The upright, vertical slab of stone that contains the primary engraving.
The Base	The supporting granite block that sits beneath the die to protect it from lawn equipment.
Polished Sides	Smooth, glass-like surfaces. A stone can be "Polished 2" (front/back) or "Polished 5" (all sides).
Rock Pitch / Pitching	A rustic, natural rock-faced texture created by hand-chiseling the edges of the stone.

Deciding Which Style is Right for You

The very first step in choosing a style is verifying your cemetery's specific section rules, as they will instantly narrow down your choices. Once you know what is permitted, you can select the shape that best fits your design ideas.

For over 125 years, the Gillespie family has helped navigate these choices with zero pressure and deep expertise. If you want to see the physical differences between a slant, a bevel, and a classic upright serpentine monument, stop by our Laurens Road showroom in Greenville. Kyle and the team will be glad to walk you through the options.