Traditional Engraved Headstones · Granite & Sandstone · Delivered Australia Wide
Traditional Engraved Headstones
Classic sandblasted inscriptions cut deep into polished granite or sandstone, in the stone colour and lettering colour you choose. Polished stones from $1,920 plus per letter lettering. Design online and watch the price update as you type.
For many families nothing replaces the look of a traditionally engraved headstone: deep, crisp lettering carved into polished stone, the way memorials have been made for centuries. We sandblast the inscription and motifs into the face of the stone through a hand finished stencil, then infill the engraving in your choice of nine colours. Unlike our laser etched range, which is black granite only, traditional engraving is available in many granite colours as well as sandstone, so the headstone can match an existing family grave or the character of an older cemetery. Design yours online with instant pricing, or send us your wording and we will do it with you.
Any Stone Colour
Polished granite in a wide range of natural colours, or classic sandstone. Match an existing grave or choose something of your own.
Nine Lettering Colours
Gold, silver, white, black and more. The designer previews your inscription in colour on your chosen stone.
Cut Deep To Last
Sandblasted engraving is carved into the stone itself. Granite and sandstone do not oxidise, and painted infill can be refreshed decades on.
Live Per Letter Pricing
Lettering is charged per letter, and the online designer adds it up as you type, so you always see the exact total before you order.
Granite And Sandstone Colours
Traditional engraving suits almost any stone. Choose from polished granites in blacks, greys, blues, reds, browns and greens, or warm natural sandstone. Granite and sandstone are natural products, so the colour and pattern of the stone supplied can vary a little from the samples; that variation is part of what makes every headstone one of a kind.
The lettering and motifs are then infilled in one of nine colours. Gold and white read beautifully on dark granite; black and dark blues suit lighter stones and sandstone. If you are unsure, send us a photo of the grave or the cemetery row and we will recommend a combination that sits well.
Top tip: pick the stone colour first, then try your inscription in two or three lettering colours in the designer; the preview shows exactly how each reads.
Traditional Engraved Headstone Prices
Prices below are straight from our online designer and cover the polished stone delivered to mainland Australia. Engraved lettering is charged per letter and added in the designer as you type your inscription, so a typical inscription adds a few hundred dollars to the stone price.
| Headstone size | Polished stone incl. delivery | Lettering |
|---|---|---|
| 650 x 650 mm | $1,920 | Charged per letter as you type |
| 760 x 760 mm | $2,566 | Charged per letter as you type |
| Other sizes 300 to 1200 mm | Priced in the designer | Charged per letter as you type |
Prices checked in August 2026 in our online designer. Motifs, ceramic photos and glass backed emblems are priced individually in the designer. A matching granite, sandstone or stainless steel base is optional and quoted with your design. Tasmania and remote deliveries may attract a freight surcharge. Compare with our laser etched headstones, where inscription is unlimited, or see the full headstone prices guide.
Shapes, Sizes, Bases And Extras
Shapes
Square, rounded, ogee, serpentine and peon tops are standard, and custom outlines can be cut on request. The designer shows every standard shape.
Sizes
From 300 x 300 mm up to 1200 x 1200 mm, in any width and height combination in between. Larger monuments are quoted individually.
Bases and vases
Supplied with or without a granite, sandstone or stainless steel base. Bases can include flower pot holes or holders and their own engraved inscription.
Photos and overlays
Add a ceramic photo, kiln fired overlay, lifetime image or raised glass backed motif to the stone, in colour, as long as the design leaves room for it.
Motifs
Choose from our motif library of roses, crosses, birds, sporting and service emblems, engraved and infilled in your lettering colour or a contrast colour.
Fonts and languages
A full range of engraving fonts, in any language. Each character is charged per letter, and the designer totals it as you type.
Design Your Engraved Headstone Online
Our patented online designer makes a traditional product refreshingly simple. Choose granite or sandstone and the stone colour, pick the shape and size, then type your inscription and choose a font and one of nine lettering colours. Add motifs, a ceramic photo or a glass backed emblem, and press Check Price at any point to see the delivered cost, lettering included.
Save your design, share it with family for suggestions, and come back to it as often as you like. When you are happy, order online, or send us the saved design and our artists will prepare a proof. Prefer to do it in person? Book a free home visit anywhere in the Perth metro area.
Cemetery Requirements
Cemeteries set their own limits on headstone sizes, bases and sometimes materials, and some lawn sections only accept plaques. Check with your cemetery before you order, or send us the cemetery name and we will confirm the rules for you. In Perth we work to the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board requirements at Karrakatta, Fremantle, Pinnaroo Valley and the other MCB cemeteries, and our approved mason can install for you; elsewhere we deliver Australia wide and work with your local installer.
Engraved Headstone Questions
How much does a traditional engraved headstone cost?
In our online designer a 650 x 650 mm polished stone is $1,920 and a 760 x 760 mm stone is $2,566, delivered to mainland Australia. Engraved lettering is then charged per letter and added to the price in the designer as you type, so a typical inscription adds a few hundred dollars. The designer always shows the exact total before you order.
Why is lettering charged per letter?
Sandblast engraving cuts each character individually into the stone through a hand finished stencil, so the work grows with every letter. That is different from our laser etched headstones, where the whole design is lasered as one artwork and inscription is unlimited. Type your wording into the designer and watch the price update; you will see the cost of every line as you write it.
Should I choose granite or sandstone?
Polished granite comes in the widest range of colours, holds its shine for generations and suits gold, silver or painted lettering. Sandstone gives the softer, classic look of older cemeteries and country churchyards. Both are natural stones that will not oxidise or readily deteriorate; if you are unsure, send us a photo of nearby graves and we will advise what will sit well.
What colours can the inscription be?
There are nine inscription and motif colours to choose from, including gold, silver, white and black. The right choice depends on the stone: gold and white read beautifully on dark granites, while darker paints suit light granites and sandstone. The online designer previews your wording in colour on your chosen stone.
Will an engraved headstone fade or wear?
The engraving itself is cut into the stone, so it lasts as long as the headstone does. Polished granite and sandstone do not oxidise or readily deteriorate, and any painted infill can be refreshed decades from now if you ever want it looking brand new again.
What is the difference between engraved and laser etched?
Engraving is carved into the stone by sandblasting, giving crisp, deep lettering with a traditional look, priced per letter, on granite of any colour or sandstone. Laser etching burns a photographic black and white image into polished black granite only, with unlimited inscription included. Many families choose engraving for the classic look and laser etching when they want portraits and scenes.
Prefer us to design it?
Send the wording, the cemetery name and the look you are after. We will design the headstone, price it with the lettering included and email you a proof at no charge.
Design Your Engraved Headstone Today
See the price as you design, lettering included, or call (08) 6191 0396 and we will do it with you.
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