Introduction: Why Upright Headstones Still Endure
There’s something timeless about upright headstones. These standing memorials command reverence, stand resilient against the elements, and offer ample space for stories carved in stone.
The Role of Style in Honoring a Legacy
More than a marker, the style of a headstone speaks to personality, heritage, and the emotional imprint left behind. Selecting the right style is both a visual and symbolic decision.
Overview of Upright vs. Flat Markers
Upright headstones stand vertically on a base and are highly visible from a distance. Unlike flat markers that rest flush with the ground, uprights serve as visual landmarks in a cemetery’s landscape.
How Local Families Choose Their Styles
In New England, style choices often reflect cultural roots, religious backgrounds, or simply personal taste. Hathaway Memorials helps families balance tradition with individuality.
Popular Upright Headstone Styles in 2025
Style #1: Traditional Serpentine Top
The serpentine top, with its elegant wave-like crest, is a quintessential choice for upright headstones.
Design Features That Make It Popular
Soft, flowing curves offer a dignified appearance while maintaining balance and symmetry. It’s often chosen for its grace and visual familiarity.
Ideal Inscriptions for Serpentine Headstones
Script fonts, religious verses, and decorative corner scrolls all enhance the gentle silhouette of this classic design.
Style #2: Gothic Arch Style
Echoing the vaulted ceilings of ancient cathedrals, the gothic arch upright adds drama and devotion to any plot.
Symbolism Behind the Arched Design
The upward curve represents ascension, hope, and the eternal nature of the soul—ideal for deeply spiritual tributes.
Popular Religious and Spiritual Motifs
Crosses, rosaries, doves, and rays of light pair beautifully with the gothic contour, creating a deeply sacred impression.
Style #3: Rustic Boulder-Style Uprights
For those drawn to nature, the boulder-style upright captures an organic, earthy presence with irregular textures and a rugged finish.
Natural Texture That Appeals to Earth-Loving Families
Unlike polished granite, this style retains much of the stone’s raw character, reflecting simplicity, strength, and natural beauty.
Custom Engraving Options for Boulder Stones
Laser etching and deep-sandblasting are commonly used to ensure legibility while complementing the stone’s untamed façade.
Style #4: Wing-Style Companion Headstones
Designed for couples or family members interred side by side, wing-style monuments connect two names in one harmonious design.
Why Couples Prefer This Timeless Style
It symbolizes unity even in passing, with a shared base anchoring both sides in eternal togetherness.
Coordinating Engraving Themes Across Both Sides
Matching floral designs, mirrored epitaphs, or interlocking symbolism (like hands or rings) provide emotional continuity.
Style #5: Slant Face Upright Monuments
With a slightly angled face for easy reading, this design balances classic structure with practical visibility.
Elegance in Minimalism
Slant-faced markers are refined, often chosen for single-person plots that still want presence without overstatement.
Easy Viewing and Maintenance Advantages
The angle repels water and debris, helping preserve inscriptions longer while reducing upkeep.
Style #6: Custom-Shaped Uprights (Hearts, Crosses, More)
In 2025, families are increasingly requesting non-rectangular headstones—like hearts, books, or even musical instruments.
Personalization Trends Gaining Popularity in 2025
Symbol-heavy stones tell richer stories. Whether it’s a violin-shaped tribute to a musician or a lighthouse for a coastal soul, form enhances meaning.
How Hathaway Memorials Executes Complex Carvings
With advanced CNC machinery, master carvers, and years of stoneworking heritage, Hathaway brings custom visions to life with breathtaking precision.
Practical Considerations in Style Selection
Choosing the Right Stone Material for Your Style
Each style interacts differently with granite, marble, and bronze. Your climate, budget, and visual goals all influence the best match.
Granite, Marble, or Bronze: Which Lasts Longer?
Granite offers unmatched durability. Marble weathers with graceful patina. Bronze plaques on stone bases combine elegance with resilience.
Final Thoughts: Matching Meaning With Aesthetic
A headstone’s silhouette is more than aesthetic—it’s a shape that holds memory, loss, and love. Choose one that reflects not just a life, but the soul behind it.
📞 For upright headstones crafted with care, call Hathaway Memorials at 978-537-2346 or visit www.hathawaymemorials.com.
Your family’s story deserves nothing less than timeless artistry.