How much does a pet headstone cost? Real prices, line by line
At US retailers, an engraved garden stone for a pet starts around $39, a flat granite marker around $158, and an upright granite headstone runs about $258 to $628. Bronze on granite costs $1,000 or more. Extra lettering, a photo, delivery and any cemetery setting fee come on top, so ask for a written total.
By the Pet Memorial Stones & Garden Markers editorial team · Updated September 24, 2026 · 5 min read · Sources
- Sourced prices for every kind of pet marker
- The add-ons that double a quote
- Where to save without regretting it
The short answer
What is the typical price range for a pet headstone?
"Pet headstone" covers everything from a hand-sized engraved rock to a polished upright granite stone that looks like a small human headstone. So the price range is wide. Most families spend somewhere in the low hundreds, and the biggest single factor is whether you choose natural garden stone or granite.
| Type | What you get | Starting or typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engraved garden stone | Cast or natural stone with name and a line | from $38.95[1] at one retailer; about $39 at the median of three sellers[2] |
| Engraved natural river rock | One-of-a-kind rock, 1–4 lines included | $38–$115[3] by size at one maker |
| Personalized memorial stone | Garden stone with design options | $90–$200[4] at one seller |
| Flat granite marker | Polished granite, flush with the lawn | from $157.95[5] |
| Photo-etched granite | Laser-etched portrait on black granite | from $159.99[6] |
| Upright granite headstone | Standing stone for a grave or cemetery | $258–$628[7] |
| Bronze on granite | Cast bronze plaque on a granite base, with vase | $1,098–$2,598[8] |
Those are starting and list prices from specific sellers, not a national survey, and local makers may charge more or less. They're a useful guide to what's fair when you compare quotes. In the UK, the competition regulator's provisional findings on vet services found nearly half of cremation buyers didn't recall being given a price, which is why we publish the ones we can source. Compare your own budget with other readers' in the live poll results.
What feels like the right amount to spend on a garden stone?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
What moves the price
What makes one pet headstone cost more than another?
- Material. Granite costs more than cast or natural garden stone, and bronze costs far more than either. Our comparison of memorial stone materials explains what you get for the difference.
- Size and thickness. Bigger and thicker stones use more material, weigh more and cost more to ship.
- Shape and finish. Upright stones, custom shapes such as hearts or paw outlines, and polished faces add cost.
- Amount of lettering. Beyond the included lines, extra characters or lines are often charged individually.
- Artwork. Photos, detailed breed images and custom designs cost more than a simple paw print.
- Delivery. Heavy granite often ships by freight, which can add noticeably to a small order.
Engraving
How much does engraving add to a pet headstone?
On small garden stones, a few lines are usually included. On larger headstones, engraving is often priced separately, and it adds up quickly. Headstone engravers commonly charge $8 to $35 per character, with a standard 40 to 60 character inscription totaling $500 to $1,200[9]. Others charge a flat $50 to $150 per line[10].
Those human-headstone rates are the high end; pet markers are smaller and usually cheaper. Still, the lesson holds: short wording saves money and reads better outdoors. Our post on what to write on a pet memorial stone has lines that fit, and the memorial stone planner shows what fits each size.
Free tool
Memorial stone planner
Plan size, material and engraving length so your wording fits the stone.
Artwork
What does a photo or portrait on a pet headstone cost?
Photo work is the biggest optional extra. A laser-etched portrait on a headstone typically costs $500–$800[11] (per one large retailer), and a porcelain photo plaque $200 to $600[11]. On smaller pet markers, photo-etched granite starts from $159.99[6] (at one US seller), which includes the stone itself.
Simpler artwork is much cheaper. On urns, an engraved paw print or symbol typically adds $20–$35[12], and stone makers charge similarly for stock designs. If a portrait matters, choose black granite, which shows etching clearly, and a photo with sharp eyes and good light. Our engraving proof guide covers what makes a photo etch well.
Beyond the stone
What extra costs come with a cemetery headstone?
If the headstone is going into a pet cemetery, the stone is only part of the bill. Many cemeteries charge to set a marker, and some require their own staff to do it. Published examples include:
- A $130 marker-setting fee at a public cemetery district in Washington State[13].
- A standard granite headstone for $400 at a humane society pet cemetery in Iowa[14].
- A $250 memorial stone and $600 for engraving with placement at a pet cemetery in Oregon[15].
- A $250 natural boulder headstone at a natural burial ground in Oregon, with engraving from $670[16].
Some cemeteries include a standard marker in the burial fee, so check before buying separately. Our pet cemetery marker rules guide lists what to ask, and the memorial budget planner totals stone, setting and upkeep.
Free tool
Memorial budget planner
Add up cremation, urn, keepsakes and a farewell so the total holds no surprises.
Spending wisely
How can you save on a pet headstone without regretting it?
- Choose flat over upright. Flat granite markers cost a fraction of uprights and are easier to set and mow around.
- Keep the wording short. Fewer characters, larger letters, lower cost.
- Pick a common stone color. Grey granite is often cheaper than rare colors and just as durable.
- Set it yourself in a home garden; our guide on how to set a memorial stone shows how.
- Get two or three quotes. In a UK regulator's survey, 89%[17] of pet cremation buyers never compared providers. Comparing takes a few minutes and often reveals big differences.
- Don't skimp on material outdoors. A cheap resin marker that cracks in two winters costs more in the end than granite.
Put the headstone in context too. The US average for a dog's cemetery burial is $831[18], so a flat granite marker is often a modest part of the total. If your pet was cremated, a garden stone over buried ashes can cost less than the cremation itself. By our estimate, that burial average is about 3.2 times[19] the national average for private cremation. If you set a garden stone yourself, the only extras are gravel, sand and a free call to 811, the before-you-dig service.
Next steps
How do you get an accurate quote?
Makers need five things to quote accurately: the stone type and size, your exact wording, any artwork or photo, where it will go (garden or which cemetery), and your delivery address. With those, you'll get quotes you can compare line by line. Our buying checklist lists what each quote should include. Prices and freight differ by region, so check your local page too.
Spend on what lasts and what you'll see every day: the stone and the name. The rest can be simple.
Or let us gather them: send us your details and we'll reply by email with itemized prices from makers who serve your area. You can see every marker type first.
Reader polls
What would you choose?
Vote anonymously and see how other readers answered. The results are live counts from people who visit this site, so they show real opinions, not a scientific sample.
What feels like the right amount to spend on a garden stone?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
How much would you spend on a memorial item, beyond the cremation itself?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
What surprised you most about the cost of pet aftercare?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
Questions people ask
How much is a small granite headstone for a dog?
Flat granite pet markers start from $157.95[5] at one national retailer, and photo-etched granite markers start from $159.99[6] at another. Upright granite headstones run $258–$628[7] at the first retailer. Add engraving beyond the included lines, delivery, and any cemetery setting fee to get a realistic total.
What is the cheapest pet grave marker?
Engraved garden stones are the cheapest ready-made option, starting around $39 at the median of three US sellers[2]. A painted or hand-lettered rock costs almost nothing and can be a lovely temporary or permanent marker in a sheltered spot, though paint fades outdoors.
Is a bronze pet headstone worth it?
Bronze plaques on granite are very durable and look uniform in cemeteries, which is why some require them. They're also the most expensive option, at $1,098–$2,598[8] at one retailer including a vase. For a home garden, a well-engraved granite marker lasts just as long for a fraction of the price.
Does the price include setting the headstone?
Usually not. Most retailer prices cover the stone and engraving, and sometimes shipping. Setting is extra, whether you do it yourself with gravel and sand or a cemetery charges a fee, such as the $130[13] one public cemetery district lists. Ask every maker exactly what their price includes.
How long does it take to make a pet headstone?
Made-to-order granite and bronze pet markers typically take 2–4 weeks[20] to produce (per one large retailer), while simple engraved garden stones often ship within days. Full-size headstones can take 6–12 weeks[21] (per one large retailer). Proof approval and delivery add time, so order early if you want it in place for a particular date.
Sources and our estimates
- [1] Memorials.com's engraved pet garden stones start at $38.95, cultured-stone markers at $87.95 and flat granite markers at $157.95. Memorials.com – Pet Memorial Stones, 2026.
- [2] Engraved pet garden stones start at about $39 at the median of three US sellers. Our estimate: median of starting prices [$38 Adirondack, $38.95 Memorials.com, $89.99 Comfort Co.]. How we calculate.
- [3] Adirondack Stone Works sells engraved natural-stone pet memorials from $38 (6–7 inch mini) to $115 (13–14 inch large), with 1–4 lines of text included. Adirondack Stone Works Pet Memorials, 2026.
- [4] The Comfort Company's personalized pet memorial stones were priced from $89.99 to about $199.99, with photo granite markers from $159.99. The Comfort Company – Pet memorial stones, 2026.
- [5] Flat granite pet grave markers at Memorials.com start at $157.95. Memorials.com – Pet Memorial Stones, 2026.
- [6] Photo-etched granite pet markers at The Comfort Company start at $159.99. The Comfort Company – Pet memorial stones, 2026.
- [7] Upright granite pet headstones at Memorials.com run $257.95–$627.95. Memorials.com – Pet Memorial Stones, 2026.
- [8] Bronze-on-granite pet headstones at Memorials.com run from $1,097.95 to $2,597.95 (with vase). Memorials.com – Pet Memorial Stones, 2026.
- [9] Headstone engravers charge $8–$35 per character; a standard 40–60 character inscription totals $500–$1,200. Memorials.com – Headstone Engraving Cost, 2026.
- [10] Some engravers charge a flat $50–$150 per line of text, depending on stone and provider. Memorials.com – Headstone Engraving Cost, 2026.
- [11] A laser-etched portrait on a headstone costs about $500–$800, and a porcelain photo $200–$600. Memorials.com – Headstone Engraving Cost, 2026.
- [12] Adding an engraved paw print or symbol to a pet urn typically costs $20–$35. Memorials.com – Pet Urn Cost Guide, 2025.
- [13] Rainier Cemetery District's pet section sells plots for $150 (small) and $200 (large), including the first burial; a marker-setting fee is $130. Rainier Cemetery District – The Companion Corner, 2026.
- [14] At Cedar Bend Humane Society's pet cemetery in Iowa, plot plus burial runs $290–$565 depending on pet size, and a standard granite headstone costs $400. Funeral.com – Pet Cemetery Burial Guide, 2025.
- [15] At Forest Pet Cemetery, a wooden casket costs $100, a memorial stone $250, and stone engraving with placement $600. The Forest Conservation Burial Ground – Pet Price List, 2026.
- [16] At Great River Natural Burial, a natural boulder headstone costs $250, engraving starts at $670, and pet caskets cost $170–$250. Great River Natural Burial – Pet Cemetery Pricing, 2026.
- [17] 89% of UK owners who bought a pet cremation did not compare different providers; 9% did. UK Competition and Markets Authority - Veterinary services for household pets, Provisional decision report Part A (Oct 2025), 2025.
- [18] CareCredit's 2025 cost study put the US national average for pet cemetery burial of a dog at $831 (range $659-$1,513). CareCredit (Synchrony) - How Much Does It Cost To Euthanize a Dog? (2025 ASQ360 procedural cost study), 2025.
- [19] US pet cemetery burial for a dog costs about 3.2x a private cremation ($831 vs $260 national averages). Our estimate: 831 / 260 = 3.20. How we calculate.
- [20] Made-to-order granite and bronze pet markers take 2–4 weeks to produce; garden and cultured stones ship in 3–5 business days. Memorials.com – Pet Memorial Stones, 2026.
- [21] New headstones take 6–12 weeks to make; adding dates to an existing stone takes 1–4 weeks once scheduled. Memorials.com – Headstone Engraving Cost, 2026.
Get itemized pet headstone quotes
Tell us what you need and where you are. We'll reply by email with clear options and prices so you can decide in your own time.