How to Choose a Headstone in Havertown, PA

Start with the cemetery

Before choosing a headstone, the first step is identifying the gravesite and confirming Saint Denis Cemetery's requirements for that specific section.

This matters because cemetery regulations can vary. A memorial that is suitable for one section of Saint Denis Cemetery may not be permitted in another, particularly around Catholic religious imagery, inscriptions, and foundation specifications in its older sections.

Our Havertown cemetery guide provides more information about Saint Denis Cemetery and its history.

Before finalizing a memorial, it is important to determine whether the cemetery has requirements regarding:

• Memorial dimensions

• Monument style

• Granite or bronze

• Foundation specifications

• Placement

• Lettering

• Religious symbols

• Installation

• Parish approval

Starting with these requirements can prevent unnecessary changes later in the process.

Choose the right type of headstone

Once you know the cemetery requirements, you can begin considering the type of memorial that best suits the gravesite and your family's wishes.

There is no single headstone style that is right for everyone. The best option depends on the available space, cemetery regulations, budget, amount of personalization, and the type of tribute you want to create.

Single upright headstones

A single upright monument is one of the most traditional choices for an individual gravesite, and is common throughout Saint Denis Cemetery's older family plots.

Its vertical design provides substantial space for:

• Names and dates

• Epitaphs

• Religious symbols

• Portraits

• Custom artwork

• Personal messages

Explore custom single upright headstones.

Slant markers

Slant markers feature an angled face that makes the inscription easy to read while maintaining a lower profile than a traditional upright monument.

They can be an excellent choice for families who want a substantial memorial without the height of a full upright monument.

Explore slant markers.

Flat markers

Flat markers sit at ground level and offer a simple, understated memorial option.

They can be appropriate for families who prefer a lower-profile design or for newer cemetery sections where flush memorials are required or preferred.

Companion or double headstones

For spouses or family members sharing a gravesite, a companion monument can provide a unified memorial for two people.

Explore double uprights.

Mausoleums and crypts

Saint Denis Cemetery maintains its own on-site mausoleum for families who prefer entombment over a traditional ground burial. Abby Rose also designs custom mausoleums and crypt memorials, including single crypt, family crypt, and walk-in styles.

Explore custom mausoleums and crypts.

Choose the right granite

Granite is one of the most popular materials for cemetery monuments because of its durability and wide range of colors, patterns, and finishes.

The granite you select can have a significant effect on the appearance of the finished memorial. Some families prefer traditional black or gray granite, while others choose granite with distinctive natural patterns or colors.

When selecting granite, consider:

• Color

• Natural pattern

• Finish

• Lettering contrast

• Overall monument design

• Cemetery requirements

You can explore the available options on our Granite Colors & Materials page.

Decide what to include on the headstone

The inscription is often the most personal part of a memorial.

A traditional headstone may include the person's full name, date of birth, and date of death. However, families can personalize the memorial in many different ways, including:

• A meaningful epitaph

• Religious passages

• Family names

• Military service information

• Catholic religious symbols

• Portraits

• Floral designs

• Custom artwork

• Personal messages

Our engraving services — including sandblasting, etching, and cemetery inscriptions — can bring any of these details to life with precision and lasting clarity.

Think about the size of the memorial

The size of a headstone should be determined by both the gravesite and Saint Denis Cemetery's requirements for that section.

A larger monument can provide more space for inscriptions and artwork, but a smaller memorial can create a more understated appearance. Before selecting dimensions, consider:

• Available gravesite space

• Cemetery regulations for that section

• Single or companion graves

• Amount of inscription

• Desired artwork

• Overall visual style

• Installation requirements

For Saint Denis Cemetery's older sections, some dating back nearly two centuries, it can be particularly important to understand the character and requirements of that specific area before selecting a memorial.

Review the design before production

Before a headstone goes into production, carefully review the complete design. Check that:

• The name is spelled correctly

• Dates are correct

• The inscription is accurate

• Symbols and artwork are positioned correctly

• The selected granite is correct

• The monument dimensions are appropriate

• The overall layout reflects your wishes

At Abby Rose Inc., families can work through the design process with our team before the memorial is produced.

Make sure the cemetery approves the memorial

A memorial should not be ordered without considering the cemetery's requirements.

Depending on the section, approval at Saint Denis Cemetery may involve specific dimensions, foundation requirements, materials, religious imagery guidelines, documentation, or installation procedures. Since the cemetery is owned and maintained by the parish itself, working directly with the parish office is an essential step in the process.

If you want to learn more, read our complete guide to cemeteries in Havertown, PA.

Plan the installation

Once the design has been approved and the memorial has been produced, it must be delivered and installed at the cemetery. Installation requirements can vary depending on:

• Memorial size

• Cemetery rules

• Foundation specifications

• Ground conditions

• Memorial type

Working with an experienced memorial company can simplify this process because the design, cemetery requirements, delivery, and installation can be coordinated together.

Why local experience matters in Havertown

Choosing a local memorial company can be especially helpful when working with a cemetery that has its own procedures and requirements.

Saint Denis Cemetery dates back to about 1822, when the land was deeded to the parish by Dennis Kelly, an Irish Catholic immigrant mill owner, and the cemetery remains owned and maintained by St. Denis Parish, part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, to this day. Knowing how to work within the parish's specific religious and design guidelines can help make the process more straightforward for families.

Abby Rose Inc. is located in Yardville, NJ, and has more than 25 years of experience creating granite and marble memorials for families throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Our team can assist with memorial design, granite selection, inscriptions, cemetery coordination, delivery, and installation.

Headstones for Saint Denis Cemetery

Families looking for memorial services in Havertown are most often arranging a headstone or monument at Saint Denis Cemetery, whether in one of its historic family plots, its newer sections, or its on-site mausoleum.

Because of the cemetery's religious and parish-owned character, families should make sure that any memorial work follows the applicable requirements and respects the traditions of the site.

For more information, see our guide to cemeteries in Havertown, PA.

Choosing the right headstone for Havertown

Choosing a headstone does not have to happen all at once.

Start by confirming Saint Denis Cemetery's requirements for your loved one's specific section. Then choose the memorial style, granite, size, inscription, and personalization that best represent your loved one. Finally, review the complete design and make sure parish approval and installation requirements have been addressed.

For more information about available memorials, our guide to headstones in Havertown, PA covers local considerations and what families can expect when arranging a memorial in the area.

For families who already know where the memorial will be installed, our Havertown, PA cemetery and memorial services page provides more information about Abby Rose's services in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I consider first when choosing a headstone? Start by confirming Saint Denis Cemetery's requirements for your specific section. The section may determine the permitted memorial size, style, material, religious imagery, and installation process.

2. What type of headstone is best? The best memorial depends on the gravesite, cemetery regulations, budget, and the level of personalization you want. Options can include upright monuments, slant markers, flat markers, and companion monuments.

3. What is the most popular material for headstones? Granite is one of the most popular materials because it is durable and available in many colors, patterns, and finishes.

4. Can I personalize a headstone? Yes. Depending on the memorial and cemetery requirements, personalization can include names, dates, epitaphs, religious symbols, portraits, artwork, and personal messages.

5. Does Abby Rose serve Saint Denis Cemetery in Havertown? Yes. Abby Rose Inc. has completed installations at Saint Denis Cemetery and provides memorial design and installation services for families throughout Havertown and Delaware County.

6. How do I begin the memorial process? Start by confirming the section and Saint Denis Cemetery's requirements. Once those are understood, you can work with a memorial specialist to select the appropriate monument, granite, dimensions, inscription, and design.

Create a meaningful memorial in Havertown, PA

A headstone is more than a marker. It is a permanent place where family and friends can remember a loved one and preserve their memory for generations.

Whether you are considering an upright monument, slant marker, flat marker, companion headstone, or mausoleum crypt, choosing the right design starts with understanding Saint Denis Cemetery and the specific gravesite.

Abby Rose Inc. helps families throughout Havertown and Delaware County create personalized granite and marble memorials while coordinating the practical requirements involved in cemetery installation.

Explore our Havertown cemetery and memorial services or contact Abby Rose Inc. to begin your memorial design.

Abby Rose Inc. — 602 U.S. Highway RT. 130, Yardville, NJ 08691 | (609) 585-2242 | info@abbyroseinc.com