A grave plaque is different from a garden or bench plaque in one important way: the cemetery has rules. Before you fall in love with a design, it's worth understanding the types, the materials cemeteries allow, and the approvals you'll need. Here's what to know.
Flat vs upright grave markers
- Flat (lawn-level) plaques — set flush with the ground, usually bronze on a granite base or solid granite. Most modern "lawn" cemeteries require this style so mowers can pass over them. The most common grave plaque today.
- Upright (headstone) plaques — a plaque set into or mounted on a standing stone. Allowed in traditional and older sections, but often restricted in newer ones.
- Kerb and desk markers — sloped or raised plaques, permitted in some cemeteries and not others.
Materials cemeteries allow
Most cemeteries specify bronze (often on a granite base) or granite for grave plaques, because both survive decades of weather and grounds maintenance. Some allow stainless steel. Softer metals like brass and aluminium are usually reserved for benches, gardens, and memorials away from the plot. Always check the cemetery's approved-materials list before ordering.
Cemetery rules to check first
- Size and shape — cemeteries set maximum dimensions and often the exact style (flat vs upright).
- Foundation or setting fee — many charge to install the plaque on a concrete foundation.
- Wording and emblems — some approve the inscription and any symbols in advance.
- Ownership of the plot — you usually need to be the plot owner or have their permission.
What it costs
A flat bronze grave plaque typically starts around $150 and rises with size, photos, and cast lettering; granite markers are similar. Add any cemetery setting fee on top. There's a fuller breakdown in our guide to how much a memorial plaque costs.
A grave plaque that holds more than a name
A grave marker has room for a name, dates, and a line or two — that's all. A growing number of families add a QR code to the plaque so that anyone visiting the grave can scan it and open a full memorial: photos, video, the obituary, and the stories that never fit in bronze. It's designed to survive outdoors and keep working for years.
Adding a digital layer to any plaque
A grave marker has room for a name and little else. A small QR memorial plaque can sit beside — or be engraved into — the piece you choose. When a visitor scans it with a phone, it opens a private memorial page with photos, video, and the stories that a line of engraving can never hold.
It doesn't replace the plaque. It gives the people who stop by a way to see the person, not just their name and dates. If you're buying for a specific place or person, there's a matching option too — such as a QR memorial plaque for a gravestone. And if you're still weighing whether a QR memorial is right for your family, this guide explains how QR codes on grave markers and memorials actually work.
Scan2Remember helps families preserve a life's story — a weatherproof QR plaque paired with a digital memorial page that stays online for good.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of memorial plaque is allowed on a grave?
Most modern cemeteries require a flat, lawn-level plaque in bronze or granite so grounds equipment can pass over it. Upright markers are allowed in traditional sections. Always check the specific cemetery's rules on style, size and material before ordering.
How much does a grave plaque cost?
A flat bronze grave plaque usually starts around $150 and rises with size, photos and cast lettering, with granite markers in a similar range. Many cemeteries also charge a foundation or setting fee to install it.
Do I need permission for a grave plaque?
Usually yes. You typically need to own the plot or have the owner's permission, and the cemetery often approves the plaque's size, style, wording and any emblems before installation.
Can I put a QR code on a grave plaque?
Yes. A QR code can be laser-etched or fixed onto a bronze or granite grave plaque and links to an online memorial with photos, video and stories. Many cemeteries allow it — check first, as with any inscription.