Why Work With Us?

Single Upright Headstones Dealer
in NJ

Hand-carved headstones by Upright Headstone Shop — 80+ years in Morris County, NJ.

Headstone Specialists — Single, double & flat headstones
Companion Headstones — Side-by-side memorial pairs
Veteran Headstones — VA-compatible military headstones
Custom Granite Carving — Hand-carved in Morris County
Photo-Etched Portraits — High-contrast relief portraits
Headstone Restoration — Restore aged & weathered stone
Cemetery Compliance — Every headstone meets cemetery rules
Foundation Installation — Below frost-line, level-set
American-Made Granite — Domestic & select imported stone
Over 80 Years in NJ — Family-owned since 1945
All 14 NJ Counties — Statewide installation
Multilingual Service — English · Russian · Polish
Call (201) 297-4344Get a Free Consultation
Serving all of New Jersey · English, Russian, Polish
Granite Upright Headstone hand-carved by Upright Headstone Shop in NJ — image 1

Headstones

Over 80 Years in NJ

Ready When You Are

Talk to a Upright Headstone Shop craftsman today.

Call, email, schedule a free quote, or visit the showroom in person. Real people answer the phone Monday through Saturday.

Call (201) 297-4344Email UsSchedule a Free QuoteVisit Our Showroom
Service Area

Serving All 14 NJ Counties

Upright Headstone Shop serves families throughout all 14 New Jersey counties from our Morris County headquarters, delivering and installing single upright headstones in Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Union, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. Our installation teams handle every aspect of placement, including foundation preparation and cemetery coordination, so the family's only task is choosing a memorial worthy of their loved one.

  • Morris
  • Bergen
  • Essex
  • Passaic
  • Hudson
  • Union
  • Sussex
  • Warren
  • Hunterdon
  • Somerset
  • Middlesex
  • Mercer
  • Monmouth
  • Ocean
Cemetery Guide

Cemetery Compliance Guide

Cemetery Regulations

Single upright headstones are subject to per-cemetery height and base dimension rules throughout New Jersey. Some cemeteries cap upright stone height at 24 or 30 inches; others permit taller tablets in dedicated sections. Before fabrication, Upright Headstone Shop contacts the receiving cemetery to verify the current height limit, required base dimensions, and any finish restrictions.

Foundation Requirements

Upright headstones transfer significant lateral and vertical load to their foundations. In NJ's climate, where frost depths can reach 36 inches in northern counties, foundation adequacy is critical to long-term stability. Upright Headstone Shop's installation crew pours or inspects concrete foundations to the depth and width required by each cemetery's specification, ensuring the upright stone remains plumb and secure through decades of seasonal movement.

Religious Cemetery Considerations

New Jersey's religious cemeteries — Catholic, Jewish, Orthodox Christian, and others — have specific traditions that influence upright headstone design. Jewish cemeteries often prefer simpler inscriptions with Hebrew text alongside English; Catholic grounds frequently welcome religious imagery in the tablet face. Eastern Orthodox sections may call for distinctive cross forms and Cyrillic lettering. Upright Headstone Shop's artisans are experienced with all of these traditions.

Our Collection

Our Headstones Collection

Upright Headstone

A single upright headstone stands on its own base — a separate, matching granite block that raises the tablet to a dignified height and provides the stable foundation for long-term permanence. The tablet carries the inscription on its front face, typically mirror-polished to maximize contrast and engraving quality. Standard upright headstones range from 16 to 36 inches in height and from 12 to 24 inches in width, with thickness varying by height for structural stability. Bases typically add another 6 to 10 inches in height. The result is a memorial that stands prominently in its cemetery section, legible and dignified from a respectful distance. Upright Headstone Shop hand-carves single upright headstones in American-made granite in a range of colors: Classic Black, Jet Black, Balmoral Red, Blue Pearl, Mountain Gray, and others. Every color is available with the mirror-polished inscription face that gives upright headstones their characteristic clarity. Hand-carved inscriptions from Upright Headstone Shop's Morris County artisans remain sharp and legible for a lifetime because the granite's density resists surface erosion. Custom artwork — portraits, relief carvings, cultural symbols, nature imagery — is applied using techniques refined over 80+ years of crafting New Jersey headstones.

Granite Options

Granite selection for a single upright headstone shapes the memorial's visual character for generations. Classic Black provides the strongest contrast for light engravings and is the most widely used option across NJ cemeteries. Blue Pearl carries a distinctive mineral shimmer. Balmoral Red offers warmth and individuality. Mountain Gray and Absolute Gray are the understated choices — universally accepted and aging gracefully. Upright Headstone Shop brings physical samples to consultation so families can make this decision with real stone in hand.

Custom Design Process

Single upright headstones accommodate the full range of personal customization. The front face can carry a portrait engraved from a photograph, a nature scene, military insignia, religious imagery, or an entirely original composition. The sides and back can be inscribed with additional text — a poem, a family name, a secondary language inscription. Upright Headstone Shop's Morris County artisans draft a comprehensive proof for family review before carving, and revisions are welcomed until the family is fully satisfied.

Granite Upright Headstone hand-carved by Upright Headstone Shop in NJ — image 2
Granite Upright Headstone hand-carved by Upright Headstone Shop in NJ — image 3
Granite Upright Headstone hand-carved by Upright Headstone Shop in NJ — image 4
Granite Upright Headstone hand-carved by Upright Headstone Shop in NJ — image 5
Granite Upright Headstone hand-carved by Upright Headstone Shop in NJ — image 6
Granite Upright Headstone hand-carved by Upright Headstone Shop in NJ — image 7
Granite Upright Headstone hand-carved by Upright Headstone Shop in NJ — image 8
Granite Upright Headstone hand-carved by Upright Headstone Shop in NJ — image 9
Headstones process
Our Process

Our Hand-Carving Process

Producing a single upright headstone at Upright Headstone Shop follows six steps. Step one is consultation: a specialist meets with the family at our Morris County showroom or by phone to discuss the person being remembered, the preferred granite, inscription content, and any custom artwork. Step two is cemetery verification: Upright Headstone Shop contacts the receiving cemetery to confirm current upright headstone regulations, including maximum height, base dimension requirements, and acceptable finish types. Step three is material and design selection: granite color, finish, tablet dimensions, and base configuration are finalized. Step four is design drafting: artisans prepare a scaled proof of the front face and any secondary surfaces, presenting the complete inscription and artwork layout for family review. Revisions are part of the process. Step five is hand-carving: once the family approves every detail in writing, craftsmen at our Morris County workshop transfer the design to the American-made granite, using sandblasting stencils for inscription fields and rotary engraving tools for fine detail work. Step six is installation: Upright Headstone Shop delivers the tablet and base, pours or inspects the concrete foundation, and sets the memorial plumb and true. The full process typically spans eight to twelve weeks.

Headstones memorial installed in NJ
Voices

What Families Say

New Jersey families have entrusted us with their memorials for three generations.

“Upright Headstone Shop helped my mother choose an upright stone for my father that she still visits every Sunday. The design was exactly right — dignified, personal, and exactly his character.” — James, Somerset County NJ
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If you do not see your question here, call us.

How long does it take to design and install a headstones?

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.

Do you serve cemeteries throughout New Jersey?

Yes. Upright Headstone Shop 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.

Are your memorials cemetery-compliant?

Yes. Before any stone is cut, Upright Headstone Shop 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.

Can I bring my own design or photo?

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.

Do you offer veteran companion markers?

Yes. Upright Headstone Shop 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.

What languages do you serve families in?

Yes — English, Russian, and Polish.

Showroom & Gallery

See Single Upright Headstones in Person

Browse a few of the stones we have set, then come visit us in person. Sample stones, finishes, and lettering are all on display.

Upright Headstone Shop Madison, NJ 07940
Get directions
Headstones · Serving all of New Jersey

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

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.

Request Your Free Consultation

A specialist contacts you within one business day. House calls available across Morris County and the surrounding region.

Or call (201) 297-4344