Why Work With Us?

Tombstones Hapes Dealer
in NJ

Hand-carved headstones by Tombstone Shape Guide — 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 Tombstone Shapes Guide hand-carved by Tombstone Shape Guide in NJ — image 1

Headstones

Over 80 Years in NJ

Ready When You Are

Talk to a Tombstone Shape Guide 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

Tombstone Shape Guide serves all 14 New Jersey counties from our Morris County headquarters, providing headstones in every available shape to families in Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Union, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. We coordinate directly with each cemetery to confirm which shapes are permitted in the intended section before any fabrication begins.

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

Cemetery Compliance Guide

Cemetery Regulations

Different headstone shapes are subject to different rules in New Jersey cemeteries. Upright tablets may be restricted to certain sections; flat markers may be required in others. Pillow and slant shapes each carry their own dimensional standards. Tombstone Shape Guide verifies the current regulations of the receiving cemetery for the planned shape before any stone work begins, ensuring the chosen form will be accepted without modification.

Foundation Requirements

Foundation requirements vary with headstone shape. Upright tablets require deep concrete bases to support their height and resist tipping. Slant stones need level, angle-true concrete beds. Flat markers require precisely graded beds to ensure they remain flush with the ground surface. Tombstone Shape Guide's installation teams are experienced with foundation preparation for all headstone shapes across NJ's variable soil and frost conditions.

Religious Cemetery Considerations

Headstone shape choices within religious cemeteries are often shaped by denominational tradition. Many Jewish cemeteries prefer simple rectangular tablets. Some Catholic grounds welcome arch-top or ogee-cut stones. Orthodox sections may call for specific proportions associated with Eastern Christian memorial tradition. Tombstone Shape Guide's team is familiar with these preferences and can help families navigate shape choices within the constraints of their specific cemetery.

Our Collection

Our Headstones Collection

Tombstone Shapes Guide

The shape of a headstone is one of the first decisions families make, and it shapes everything that follows — the inscription layout, the available surface for imagery, the visual character of the memorial in its cemetery section. Tombstone Shape Guide produces headstones in five primary shapes: upright (including flat-top, arch-top, and ogee-top tablets); slant (wedge-profile stones with a forward-angled inscription face); flat (flush or low-bevel markers at or near ground level); pillow (cushion-top stones with a rounded upper profile); and custom silhouettes for families seeking something entirely individual. All shapes are hand-carved from American-made granite in our Morris County workshop. The upright tablet is the most common choice in New Jersey's private and religious cemeteries because of its vertical presence and generous inscription surface. The arch-top variant — where the upper edge of the tablet follows a curved arc — is among the most traditional forms in NJ's older cemeteries. The ogee top, with its S-curve profile, carries a decorative character that suits families seeking something with more visual texture. Slant headstones are a contemporary choice that balances readability with a lower profile than a full upright tablet. Flat markers belong entirely to the landscape and are required in many modern memorial parks and veterans' sections. Pillow headstones, with their cushion-like rounded crowns, carry a softness that resonates with many families. All shapes are available in the full range of granite colors Tombstone Shape Guide carries, and all are fabricated to meet the cemetery-compliant specifications confirmed before any stone work begins.

Granite Options

Granite color interacts differently with different headstone shapes. On upright tablets, dark granites like Classic Black and Jet Black provide the strongest contrast for front-face engravings viewed at eye level. On flat markers, darker tones similarly maximize contrast for top-facing inscriptions read from above. Pillow and slant shapes benefit from colors that show their distinctive profiles clearly — Balmoral Red and Blue Pearl can be particularly effective here. All granite is American-made.

Custom Design Process

Headstone design at Tombstone Shape Guide begins with the shape selection, which determines the available surfaces and proportions for the inscription and imagery. Once the shape is chosen, our Morris County artisans draft a scaled proof showing the complete design at the correct proportions. Families review the proof and request any revisions before approving in writing. No carving begins without that approval.

Granite Tombstone Shapes Guide hand-carved by Tombstone Shape Guide in NJ — image 2
Granite Tombstone Shapes Guide hand-carved by Tombstone Shape Guide in NJ — image 3
Granite Tombstone Shapes Guide hand-carved by Tombstone Shape Guide in NJ — image 4
Granite Tombstone Shapes Guide hand-carved by Tombstone Shape Guide in NJ — image 5
Granite Tombstone Shapes Guide hand-carved by Tombstone Shape Guide in NJ — image 6
Granite Tombstone Shapes Guide hand-carved by Tombstone Shape Guide in NJ — image 7
Granite Tombstone Shapes Guide hand-carved by Tombstone Shape Guide in NJ — image 8
Granite Tombstone Shapes Guide hand-carved by Tombstone Shape Guide in NJ — image 9
Headstones process
Our Process

Our Hand-Carving Process

Tombstone Shape Guide's six-step process applies to every headstone shape. Step one is consultation: a specialist discusses shape options with the family, explaining the practical and aesthetic differences among upright, slant, flat, pillow, and custom forms. Step two is cemetery verification: Tombstone Shape Guide contacts the receiving cemetery to confirm which shapes are permitted in the intended section and what dimensional rules apply. Step three is material selection: granite color, finish type, and dimensions for the chosen shape are finalized. Step four is design drafting: Morris County artisans prepare a scaled proof of the memorial as it will look in its finished form, including all text, symbols, and imagery at the correct proportions. Step five is hand-carving: craftsmen engrave the approved design into American-made granite using the methods refined over 80+ years in our workshop. Step six is installation: Tombstone Shape Guide delivers the finished headstone, prepares the appropriate foundation for the shape, and sets the stone correctly. Most headstones are completed within 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.

“We didn't realize how much the shape mattered until Tombstone Shape Guide walked us through the options. The arch-top was exactly right — traditional, personal, and beautiful in the cemetery section.” — Patricia, Warren 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. Tombstone Shape 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.

Are your memorials cemetery-compliant?

Yes. Before any stone is cut, Tombstone Shape 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.

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. Tombstone Shape 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.

What languages do you serve families in?

Yes — English, Russian, and Polish.

Showroom & Gallery

See Tombstones Hapes 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.

Tombstone Shape Guide 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