Headstones in Bala Cynwyd, PA: Local Cemeteries and What to Expect

Why Local Cemetery Experience Matters

Choosing a memorial involves much more than selecting a granite color or inscription. Before a monument is designed, families should confirm what the cemetery permits for the specific gravesite.

Requirements can affect the size and style of the headstone, the materials that can be used, foundation specifications, placement, and the approval process. A monument that is appropriate for one cemetery may not meet the requirements of another.

This is particularly relevant in Bala Cynwyd, where families may be working with historic cemeteries containing many different sections, monument styles, and forms of burial.

Understanding those requirements before production begins helps families avoid unnecessary redesigns and delays.

Laurel Hill West in Bala Cynwyd

Laurel Hill West, historically known as West Laurel Hill Cemetery, is located on Belmont Avenue in Bala Cynwyd and was founded in 1869.

Its origins are closely connected to the original Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. As Fairmount Park expanded and limited the original cemetery's ability to grow, founder John Jay Smith looked across the Schuylkill River for additional land. West Laurel Hill was subsequently established in Bala Cynwyd, with its first burial taking place in 1870.

Today, Laurel Hill's east and west cemeteries form an extensive historic landscape known for its architecture, monuments, trees, and landscaped grounds.

For families planning a memorial at Laurel Hill West, the cemetery and specific gravesite should be confirmed before a headstone is selected. Its long history means the grounds contain a wide variety of existing monuments and burial arrangements, while current memorial work remains subject to cemetery rules and approval.

If you would like to learn more about the cemetery itself, our guide to cemeteries in Bala Cynwyd, PA covers its history alongside other local burial grounds.

Westminster Cemetery

Westminster Cemetery is another long-established cemetery serving Bala Cynwyd and the surrounding Montgomery County and Philadelphia communities.

Its history dates to the mid-1860s, when it was founded by the Danish Catholic Church. The cemetery later reopened as a non-denominational cemetery in 1894 and has continued serving families from different backgrounds for well over a century.

Today, Westminster includes traditional cemetery spaces alongside a community mausoleum, private estate areas, family columbaria, wall niches, cremation gardens, cremation benches, and other forms of memorialization.

Because the cemetery includes different types of burial property, the appropriate memorial will depend on the family's particular section and gravesite. Confirming those requirements should therefore be one of the first steps before choosing a monument.

Memorial Options for Bala Cynwyd Families

Once cemetery requirements have been confirmed, families can begin comparing different types of memorials.

A single upright headstone remains one of the most traditional choices for an individual gravesite. Its vertical face provides space for names, dates, epitaphs, religious symbols, portraits, and custom artwork.

Families looking for a lower-profile memorial may consider a slant marker. The angled face keeps the inscription visible while creating a monument that is shorter than a traditional upright.

Flat grave markers provide another understated option and may be appropriate in cemetery sections designed around lawn-level memorials.

For spouses or relatives sharing a family plot, double upright headstones can create one coordinated memorial while providing space for individual inscriptions.

Larger plots may also accommodate family monuments, while families considering above-ground entombment can explore mausoleums and crypt memorials.

The right option depends on the cemetery, gravesite, available space, and the family's preferences.

Choosing Granite for a Headstone

Granite is one of the most widely used materials for cemetery monuments because it combines durability with a broad range of colors, natural patterns, and finishes.

Traditional gray granite can create a classic appearance, while black granite provides strong contrast for detailed lettering and portrait etching. Red, blue, green, mahogany, and other granite varieties allow families to create very different memorial styles.

The granite should also complement the design. A memorial incorporating detailed artwork or a portrait, for example, may benefit from a darker polished surface that allows the etching to stand out.

Families can compare different options on our Granite Colors & Materials page.

Before making the final selection, the cemetery's material requirements should always be confirmed.

Personalizing a Memorial

A headstone provides an opportunity to preserve more than a person's name and dates.

Depending on cemetery requirements and the monument selected, families may include epitaphs, religious symbols, portraits, floral artwork, military emblems, cultural imagery, family names, or other details connected to the person's life.

Some families prefer traditional lettering and a simple symbol, while others choose a detailed portrait or custom scene. Bilingual inscriptions can also be incorporated when language forms an important part of the person's family or cultural heritage.

Our engraving services include sandblasting, etching, and cemetery inscriptions that can be used to create these personalized elements.

What the Memorial Process Looks Like

The process should begin by identifying the cemetery and exact gravesite. Once the section, lot, and grave are known, the cemetery's current monument requirements can be confirmed.

Families can then choose the appropriate memorial style, granite, dimensions, inscription, and artwork. The complete design should be carefully reviewed for spelling, dates, layout, and dimensions before production begins.

Any required cemetery approval should also be obtained before the monument is finalized. Once production is complete, the foundation, delivery, and installation can be coordinated according to the cemetery's procedures.

For a more detailed walkthrough of these decisions, read How to Choose a Headstone in Bala Cynwyd, PA.

Historic Cemeteries and Existing Family Monuments

Because Bala Cynwyd's cemeteries have served families for generations, some memorial projects involve an existing family monument rather than an entirely new headstone.

A family may need to add a new inscription for a spouse, restore lettering, match an existing granite monument, or create a new memorial that complements older stones within a family plot.

These projects require careful consideration of the existing monument as well as current cemetery requirements. Matching lettering styles, granite appearance, dimensions, and design details can help a new inscription or memorial feel consistent with the family's existing plot.

Planning Ahead for a Headstone

Families do not always need to make every memorial decision immediately.

Taking time to understand cemetery requirements, compare granite colors, review inscriptions, and consider artwork can make it easier to create a memorial that feels appropriate rather than rushed.

The overall timeline can also depend on cemetery approval, production, foundation work, weather, and installation scheduling.

Beginning the process early gives families more time to make these decisions while allowing the cemetery and monument company to coordinate the practical details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cemeteries does Abby Rose serve in Bala Cynwyd?

Abby Rose works with families using Laurel Hill West and Westminster Cemetery, as well as other cemeteries serving Bala Cynwyd and surrounding Montgomery County communities.

When was Laurel Hill West established?

Laurel Hill West was founded in 1869 as an expansion connected to Philadelphia's original Laurel Hill Cemetery. The first burial took place the following year.

When was Westminster Cemetery established?

Westminster Cemetery traces its origins to the mid-1860s, when it was founded by the Danish Catholic Church. It reopened as a non-denominational cemetery in 1894.

What types of headstones are available for Bala Cynwyd families?

Depending on cemetery and section requirements, families may consider upright headstones, slant markers, flat markers, companion monuments, family monuments, mausoleum memorials, and other customized options.

Can I personalize a headstone?

Yes. Subject to cemetery requirements, memorials can incorporate epitaphs, religious symbols, portraits, custom artwork, military emblems, family names, and other meaningful details.

How do I start choosing a headstone in Bala Cynwyd?

Start by confirming the cemetery and exact gravesite. Once the cemetery's current requirements are understood, you can select the monument type, granite, dimensions, inscription, and personalization.

Local Memorial Services for Bala Cynwyd Families

Choosing a headstone is ultimately about creating a permanent place where a person's life and memory can be preserved.

For families in Bala Cynwyd, understanding the cemetery first provides the practical framework for that process. From there, the granite, inscription, artwork, and monument design can be selected around both the family's wishes and the requirements of the gravesite.

Abby Rose Inc. helps families throughout Bala Cynwyd and Montgomery County with memorial design, granite selection, inscriptions, cemetery coordination, and installation.

Explore our Bala Cynwyd cemetery and memorial services or contact Abby Rose Inc. to begin planning a memorial.

You can also continue with our guides to cemeteries in Bala Cynwyd, PA and how to choose a headstone in Bala Cynwyd, PA.