Duplicate Headstones: Can an Existing Memorial Be Recreated?

What is a duplicate headstone?

A duplicate headstone is a new cemetery memorial designed to reproduce or closely match an existing monument.

The objective might be an almost identical memorial or simply a coordinated design.

Families may want to match:

• Monument shape

• Granite color

• Dimensions

• Base

• Lettering

• Inscription layout

• Symbols

• Borders

• Artwork

• Surface finish

The amount that can be reproduced depends on the original monument and the materials currently available.

Why would a family want to duplicate a headstone?

There are several reasons.

A husband and wife may be buried in separate plots but the family wants their memorials to coordinate.

Siblings may have adjoining graves.

A family may also want new headstones to follow an established design used by previous generations.

In other situations, an original monument may be damaged and the family wants a replacement that preserves its appearance.

The objective is often continuity rather than simply creating two identical pieces of stone.

Can granite be matched exactly?

Sometimes a close match is possible, but granite is a natural material.

Color and mineral patterns can vary between slabs, quarries and production periods.

An older monument may also have changed slightly after years of exposure outdoors.

For these reasons, "matching" granite does not always mean creating a visually identical stone under every lighting condition.

A monument professional can evaluate the existing granite and identify the closest appropriate option currently available.

Matching the shape and dimensions

The original monument's measurements are important when creating a duplicate.

This can include:

• Overall height

• Width

• Thickness

• Base dimensions

• Top profile

• Edge details

• Polished surfaces

• Rock-pitched surfaces

Traditional monument shapes may be relatively straightforward to reproduce.

Highly customized silhouettes or hand-finished details may require additional work to recreate.

Families considering an upright design can explore common and custom single upright headstones to understand how monument shape affects the finished memorial.

Can old headstone lettering be duplicated?

Lettering is one of the most important parts of matching an existing memorial.

A new inscription may need to reproduce:

• Font style

• Letter height

• Engraving depth

• Spacing

• Alignment

• Names and dates layout

• Decorative elements

Photographs can help, but detailed measurements and an in-person evaluation of the existing monument can provide more useful information.

Abby Rose's cemetery inscription services include planning names, dates and inscriptions to work with the memorial's design.

Can artwork and symbols be recreated?

Many traditional symbols and decorative elements can be incorporated into a new monument.

This may include crosses, floral motifs, borders, religious symbols and other conventional cemetery artwork.

Highly detailed custom artwork may require a different approach.

Sandblasting can reproduce traditional carved designs, while etching may be appropriate for detailed imagery on suitable granite.

The original artwork should be assessed to determine the most appropriate method.

Duplicate vs. replacement headstone

These terms describe different situations.

A duplicate headstone usually means creating another monument based on an existing design while the original remains in place.

A replacement headstone replaces an existing memorial because it is damaged, deteriorated, incorrect or no longer meets the family's needs.

The design considerations may be similar, but cemetery procedures can differ because replacing an existing monument can involve removal as well as installation.

Cemetery requirements still apply

Matching an existing monument does not automatically mean the cemetery will approve the new one.

Cemetery regulations can change over time.

A monument installed decades ago may not necessarily meet today's specifications for new installations.

Requirements can affect:

• Monument dimensions

• Foundation

• Materials

• Placement

• Installation

• Permitted memorial styles

The new memorial therefore needs to be checked against current cemetery requirements even when its design is based on an existing headstone nearby.

What information helps recreate a headstone?

If you want to match an existing memorial, gather as much information as possible.

Useful materials can include:

• Clear photographs from the front

• Side and rear photographs

• Close-ups of lettering

• Overall measurements

• Cemetery name

• Grave location

• Family records

• Original monument paperwork, if available

The existing memorial can then be evaluated to determine which elements can be reproduced accurately.

Creating a matching family memorial

Matching an existing headstone can create a visual connection between family members while still allowing each memorial to include individual inscriptions and details.

The new stone does not always need to be an exact duplicate.

Sometimes matching the granite, shape and lettering while changing selected artwork creates a better balance between family continuity and individual identity.

Abby Rose Inc. creates custom headstones for families throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania and can evaluate an existing memorial when planning a matching design.

Explore our custom upright headstones or contact our team to discuss recreating or coordinating with an existing family memorial.

Frequently asked questions

Can a headstone be duplicated?

In many cases, a new headstone can be designed to closely match an existing memorial. The degree of similarity depends on granite availability, dimensions, lettering, artwork and the original monument's condition.

Can you match the granite of an old headstone?

A close match may be possible, but granite is natural and can vary between slabs and production periods. Existing stone may also have changed through long-term outdoor exposure.

Can old headstone lettering be copied?

Lettering can often be closely reproduced by evaluating its style, size, spacing, depth and layout.

Can two family headstones have the same design?

Yes. Families may choose coordinated or matching designs for spouses, siblings or other relatives, subject to cemetery requirements.

Do cemetery rules affect duplicate headstones?

Yes. The new memorial must comply with current cemetery requirements even if an older matching monument is already installed.

What do I need to recreate an existing headstone?

Clear photographs, measurements, cemetery information and any original paperwork can help a monument professional evaluate and reproduce the design.