Upright Granite Headstones & Monuments in Dayton, TN
Choose a memorial shaped around the person you want to remember. Dayton Monuments helps you explore upright granite headstones, from a traditional gray monument with a personal inscription to a custom shape with meaningful artwork.
Compare granite colors, lettering, and design options with your budget and cemetery requirements in mind. You can begin with a favorite photograph, a few words, or simply a question.
Prefer to talk? Call (423) 570-1222.
Located in Dayton, Tennessee • Custom memorials • Engraving and installation services
Start With the People and Words the Memorial Will Honor
An upright headstone has a vertical stone, often called a tablet, supported by a base. Its face provides space to bring names, dates, an inscription, and selected artwork together in one design.
For an individual memorial, consider which details best represent that person. For a shared memorial, discuss space for both names and whether any dates will need to be added later.
You do not need to choose the stone size first. Begin with the names and design elements you want included, then discuss a layout that fits the cemetery’s permitted dimensions without crowding the lettering.
Compare Granite Colors and Budget Options
Granite color affects both the appearance and the quote. Start with Georgia Gray as the value option, then compare premium colors if you prefer a different tone or want to explore a portrait on polished black granite.
Georgia Gray: A Practical Starting Point
Georgia Gray has a familiar salt-and-pepper appearance and is the budget-conscious starting point in our granite selection. It is worth considering when clear lettering, a traditional design, and overall cost are your main priorities.
Ask for a quote in Georgia Gray before comparing the same design in another color. Keeping the dimensions and inscription consistent makes the price difference easier to understand.
Premium Colors: More Choice in the Finished Look
Premium colored granites offer a different backdrop for your inscription and artwork. Explore these options alongside your preferred monument shape:
| Granite color | Appearance | Design consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Polished Jet Black | A dark, reflective face | Discuss this option if a laser-etched portrait is central to the design. |
| Morning Rose | Pink tones | Consider it if you prefer a softer, warmer stone color. |
| India Red | Rich red tones | Explore it when you want the stone’s color to be a prominent part of the memorial. |
| Mahogany | Reddish-brown tones | Compare it with your lettering and chosen artwork. |
| Blue Pearl | Blue-gray tones with a distinctive crystalline pattern | View a sample to see how the stone’s pattern works with the proposed inscription. |
The premium colors are quoted individually; they do not all carry the same price. Size, shape, finish, and personalization also affect the total, and natural stone samples may vary in color and pattern.
Find a Shape That Feels Right
The outline of a monument helps define its character before any lettering is added. Explore a traditional shape or discuss a more personal contour, subject to the dimensions allowed at the gravesite.
Traditional Serpentine Top
A gently curved top gives the monument a familiar silhouette. This is a useful starting point when you want the inscription and artwork to be the main focus.
Single and Double Hearts
A heart-shaped design places a symbol of love at the center of the memorial. Discuss a single heart for one person or a double-heart design for a shared tribute, with enough room for each name and date.
Teardrop and Oval Contours
Rounded and teardrop shapes offer a softer outline. Consider how the inscription or portrait will fit within the contour, particularly if you want to include several lines of text.
Rock-Pitched Edges
A rock-pitched edge gives the stone a rough, natural-looking border around its finished face. This is an edge treatment rather than a separate monument shape, so discuss which outlines and finishes it can be paired with.
Browse our monument gallery and note the shapes or details you like. A reference can help explain your preferences without requiring you to arrive with a completed design.
Make the Inscription and Artwork Personal
Names and dates are the starting point. A short message, portrait, or selected carving can add meaning while keeping the memorial readable and balanced.
Lettering and Carved Details
Discuss sandblasted lettering, including deep V-cut options, for the names and inscription. Frosted panels can provide a contrasting background within the design; ask to see examples with your preferred granite color.
Bring the exact spelling of names and any wording you are considering. If you have a longer verse, discuss how it will fit before settling on the monument’s size or shape.
Laser-Etched Portraits on Black Granite
A laser-etched portrait can make a familiar face part of the memorial. If a portrait matters to you, discuss polished black granite and the photograph you would like to use before choosing the final layout.
Ask for an assessment of the image and the detail it can support. Keep the clearest original photograph or digital file available; you do not need to upload it to start your inquiry.
Include the Base, Foundation, and Installation in Your Plans
The upright stone is one part of the finished monument. Your quote should also make clear which base, foundation work, delivery, and setting services are included.
The visible granite base and the supporting foundation beneath it serve different purposes. Foundation specifications and installation permissions need to match the cemetery’s requirements for your plot.
Before an order is finalized, establish:
- Whether upright monuments are allowed in the burial section.
- The permitted overall height, width, thickness, and base footprint.
- Any restrictions on shapes, finishes, or added features.
- The required foundation construction and who is responsible for that work.
- Who may install the monument and which cemetery charges are separate.
Dayton Monuments provides memorial installation services. Include the cemetery name and any written specifications with your request so you can discuss the installation arrangements for your monument.
Questions About Planning Your Upright Memorial
Can I request a design before deciding on every detail?
Yes. Start with the names, the type of memorial, and any ideas you already have. You can also ask about a custom design proof to help you review the layout. Confirm the proof process, any design charges, and what information is needed before that work begins.
Can an upright monument be planned in advance?
Dayton Monuments offers pre-planning services. If you are choosing a memorial ahead of time, discuss the design, inscription, and any space needed for future dates. Ask how later additions would be handled and priced for the specific stone and layout you select.
What if I want the new monument to coordinate with an existing family memorial?
Bring a photograph and any known details about the existing stone’s color, dimensions, shape, and lettering. These provide a starting point for discussing a coordinated appearance. An exact match should be assessed rather than assumed, especially when the original material or finish is unknown.
When should I order if I have a particular date in mind?
Mention the date when you first inquire and ask for a current estimate for the chosen design. Material availability, custom work, cemetery approval, and installation arrangements can affect timing. Confirm what is achievable before making plans around an anniversary or gathering.
Tell Us About the Memorial You Have in Mind
Whether you prefer a simple Georgia Gray monument or a custom shape with a portrait, start by sharing what matters most to you. Include a budget if you have one so the discussion can focus on suitable options.
Required fields. This form sends an inquiry; it does not place an order.
You can also call (423) 570-1222 or contact our Dayton team to discuss your plans.
Dayton Monuments Inc
252 Dayton Mountain Hwy, Dayton, TN 37321