Single vs. Double Slant Headstones: What’s the Difference?

What Is a Single Slant Headstone?

A single slant headstone is typically designed for one person and one grave space.

Its angled granite face provides room for the primary elements of a memorial, such as:

• Name

• Birth and death dates

• Family relationship

• Short epitaph

• Religious emblem

• Floral or decorative design

• Personalized imagery

Because the face slopes backward, the inscription remains visible from a standing position while the memorial maintains a lower profile than a traditional upright monument.

What Is a Double Slant Headstone?

A double slant headstone — sometimes called a companion slant marker — is designed to memorialize two people within one coordinated monument.

It is generally wider than a single slant and provides additional inscription space for:

• Two names

• Two sets of dates

• Shared surname

• Individual epitaphs

• Shared epitaph

• Wedding date

• Religious symbols

• Individual or shared artwork

Double slants are often selected for spouses or partners, although the configuration may also be appropriate for other family relationships.

How Much Wider Is a Double Slant?

There is no single standard dimension that applies to every cemetery or monument.

The width depends on the design, inscription requirements, burial spaces, and cemetery regulations.

A double slant generally needs enough surface area to create two readable inscription areas without making either side feel crowded.

The cemetery must also permit the complete width of the memorial within the designated grave spaces.

This is why dimensions should be verified before the design is finalized.

How Are Two Names Arranged on a Double Slant?

There are several ways to organize a companion memorial.

One common approach is to divide the face visually into two sides, giving each person a dedicated inscription area.

Another is to use a shared surname prominently across the monument with each individual's first name and dates positioned below.

A design may also include a central element such as:

• Wedding rings

• Religious symbol

• Cross

• Floral artwork

• Shared epitaph

• Family emblem

• Wedding date

The objective is to make the monument feel unified while allowing each individual to be clearly represented.

Can Each Person Have a Different Inscription?

Yes.

A double slant does not require identical wording on both sides.

For example, one side might include:

Beloved Husband, Father & Grandfather

while the other might read:

Beloved Wife, Mother & Grandmother

A shared phrase can then connect both inscriptions.

The available space should be considered carefully because slant markers generally offer less vertical inscription area than larger upright monuments.

For broader inspiration on wording, see our guide to headstone inscriptions and epitaph ideas.

Can a Double Slant Be Installed Before Both People Have Passed?

Yes.

Families sometimes choose a companion memorial while one person is still living.

The monument can be designed with both names while leaving the future death date blank.

Planning the entire layout at the beginning helps ensure that sufficient space remains and that the eventual additional inscription aligns with the original design.

When needed, the remaining date can be added through cemetery inscription services.

Single vs. Double Slant: Personalization Space

A double slant provides more total surface area, but that space also needs to accommodate information for two people.

Therefore, it should not automatically be viewed as providing twice as much room for decorative artwork.

The design needs to balance:

• Names

• Dates

• Individual wording

• Shared wording

• Emblems

• Artwork

• Negative space

For a single slant, the entire face can be designed around one individual, potentially allowing more flexibility in how the available space is distributed.

In both cases, restraint can help keep the memorial clear and readable.

Can a Double Slant Include Different Symbols for Each Person?

Yes.

A companion memorial can maintain an overall unified design while still representing each person individually.

For example, one side might feature a military emblem while the other includes a religious or personal symbol.

Families may also choose individual flowers, hobbies, occupations, or other meaningful imagery.

More detailed artwork can be incorporated through memorial etching, depending on granite selection and available space.

Do Single and Double Slants Use the Same Granite?

They can.

Both types can be produced from memorial-grade granite in different colors and finishes.

A double slant is simply a larger configuration designed around two inscriptions rather than a fundamentally different material.

Families can explore available granite colors and materials when designing either style.

Can Single and Double Slant Headstones Have Bases?

Yes, depending on the cemetery.

Either configuration may potentially be designed with a separate granite base.

A base can give the memorial additional height and visual presence, but it also increases the complete footprint.

This becomes especially important with double slants because they are already wider than single markers.

Our guide to slant headstones with and without bases explains this configuration in more detail.

Do Double Slant Headstones Cost More?

A double slant generally requires more granite than a comparable single memorial and may involve additional engraving.

However, the final price depends on more than whether the monument is single or double.

Factors can include:

• Dimensions

• Granite selection

• Base

• Lettering

• Artwork

• Etching

• Cemetery fees

• Foundation requirements

• Installation

For broader pricing information, see our guide to headstone costs.

Cemetery Requirements for Double Slants

Cemetery approval is particularly important when selecting a companion memorial.

Because a double slant occupies a larger footprint, the cemetery needs to confirm that the monument is permitted for the applicable burial spaces.

Requirements may govern:

• Maximum width

• Height

• Base dimensions

• Granite

• Foundation

• Placement

• Number of graves served by the monument

• Installation

Families should not assume that because single slants are permitted, a wider companion version will automatically be approved.

Abby Rose Inc. confirms applicable cemetery requirements before production begins.

Single Slant vs. Double Slant: Which Should You Choose?

The decision primarily comes down to who the memorial needs to represent.

A single slant is generally appropriate when creating a memorial for one individual.

A double slant can provide a unified tribute for two people while still allowing each person to have their own name, dates, wording, and personalized details.

Beyond that distinction, cemetery requirements, available plot space, design preferences, granite, inscription needs, and future planning should guide the final configuration.

For a broader explanation of this memorial style, read our complete guide to slant markers and headstones.

Abby Rose Inc. creates custom slant headstones for families throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including single and double configurations, custom engraving, granite selection, cemetery coordination, and professional installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a double slant headstone?

A double slant is a wider slant memorial designed to accommodate inscriptions for two people, often spouses or partners.

Can a slant headstone be used for two people?

Yes. A companion or double slant can provide space for two names, sets of dates, individual wording, and shared design elements, subject to cemetery requirements.

Can you install a double slant before both people have passed?

Yes. The monument can be planned with space for a future death date or additional inscription to be added later.

Can each person have different artwork on a double slant?

Yes. Each side can include individual emblems or artwork while maintaining a cohesive overall memorial design.

Does a double slant need two grave spaces?

The appropriate plot configuration and permitted placement depend on the cemetery. The cemetery should confirm the burial spaces and monument dimensions before production.

Is a double slant bigger than a single slant?

Generally, yes. Double slants are wider to provide sufficient inscription space for two people, although exact dimensions vary according to design and cemetery requirements.