Adding a Second Name to a Companion Headstone After a Second Burial
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By the Abby Rose Inc. Team
Many couples choose a double upright headstone together, often with one name and set of dates already engraved and the second side left blank until it's needed. When that day eventually comes, families are frequently unsure how the process works: Does the whole stone need to come down? Can it be engraved in place at the cemetery? How long does it take, and what does it cost? Here's what to expect.
Why so many families plan this way from the start
Pre-engraving one side of a companion memorial — leaving the second name, date of birth, and a blank space for the date of death — is one of the most common approaches to double uprights. It reduces the emotional burden on the surviving family later and often reduces cost, since the granite, base, and shared design elements are already in place. If you're still deciding between this approach and other memorial styles, our double uprights page covers the full design and pricing details.
What actually happens when the second burial occurs
Confirm the cemetery's process. Some cemeteries allow in-place engraving directly at the gravesite; others require the monument to be temporarily removed and taken to a workshop for the addition. This depends on the specific cemetery's equipment access and policies.
Match the existing engraving style. The new inscription — whether it's sandblasted lettering, a portrait etching, or a decorative emblem — needs to match the depth, font, and finish of the original side so the finished memorial reads as one cohesive piece rather than two mismatched halves.
Confirm the granite still matches. If any repair or replacement is needed to the base or a section of the stone, the same granite color-matching considerations apply that we cover in our guide to matching granite color on an existing memorial.
Schedule around cemetery availability. Timing can depend on ground conditions, cemetery scheduling, and weather, particularly for engraving work done on-site.
What if the second side wasn't pre-engraved at all?
Not every family pre-plans this way, and that's completely normal. If the second side of a companion memorial was left entirely blank — no name, no dates — the process is similar but starts from a blank slate rather than an existing partial inscription. We'll work with you to design the second side so it balances visually with what's already engraved, matching font, spacing, and any shared design elements like a joint emblem or quote across the middle of the stone.
What about single headstones needing a second inscription?
Sometimes a family originally chose a single upright and later wants to add a second name to the back, side, or an added base plaque rather than replacing the entire memorial. This is a different scenario from a true companion monument, but the same core question applies: can the granite, finish, and lettering style be matched closely enough that the addition looks intentional rather than added on. We evaluate this case by case, and in some situations recommend a family monument base addition instead of engraving directly onto limited space on the original stone. Our family monuments page covers options for expanding a memorial to include more than two names over time.
Timing considerations
Because this work often needs to happen relatively soon after a second death, we prioritize clear communication about realistic timelines from the first phone call. Engraving alone typically moves faster than a full new memorial, but weather, cemetery access, and whether the stone needs to be removed can all affect scheduling. We'll always give you a specific timeline for your exact situation rather than a generic estimate.
Coordinating with the cemetery and funeral home
As with any memorial work, we handle direct coordination with the cemetery office on your behalf — confirming access requirements, any permits needed for on-site engraving, and scheduling around other cemetery operations. If a funeral home is also involved in the second burial, we coordinate with them as well so you're not relaying details between multiple parties during an already difficult time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the entire headstone need to be removed to add a second name? Not always — many cemeteries allow in-place engraving, though this depends on the specific cemetery's policies and equipment access.
Will the new engraving match the original exactly? We match font, depth, and finish as closely as possible so the final result reads as one unified memorial.
How long does adding a second inscription typically take? It varies based on cemetery access and scheduling, but engraving work is generally faster than producing an entirely new memorial.
What if we didn't pre-engrave any part of the second side? That's very common — we'll design the second inscription from scratch to balance visually with the existing side.
Can a single headstone be updated to include a second name? In some cases yes, though depending on available space we may recommend an added base or companion piece instead. We can walk through the best option for your specific memorial.
Ready to add a name to an existing memorial?
Whether your family's companion headstone was pre-engraved years ago or needs a second inscription designed from scratch, we're here to help it come together seamlessly. Call (609) 585-2242 or contact Abby Rose Inc. for a free consultation.
Abby Rose Inc. — 602 U.S. Highway RT. 130, Yardville, NJ 08691 | (609) 585-2242 | info@abbyroseinc.com
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