A bronze plaque on a headstone solves a problem that comes up in almost every family plot: a name or a date has to be added to a stone that is already standing, or a plain granite marker needs an inscription without being taken away and re-cut. A cast bronze plaque is fixed to the face or the base of the monument with concealed studs, carries raised lettering that stays legible for decades, and is designed by you online with the price shown as you work.
Design a headstone plaque online
Set the size to fit the stone, add the name, dates and a line of wording, and see the price for cast bronze straight away.
Explore: bronze grave markers · bronze memorial plaques · cemetery plaques
When a plaque is the right answer
- Adding a second name to a family headstone when the stone has no room for a matching engraving, or re-cutting it would mean removing the monument
- Adding a date of death to a stone that was inscribed in advance with only the birth date
- A plain granite marker that was set without an inscription, where a bronze plaque gives a finished memorial at a fraction of the cost of a new stone
- An ashes interment in an existing grave, recorded with a small plaque on the base of the monument
- A companion plaque on a family plot, matching an older bronze plaque already on the stone
Name plates, date plates and full plaques
| Plaque | Typical size (inches) | Designer price |
|---|---|---|
| Date plate, one line | 8 x 2 3/8, the smallest the designer makes | $385.86 |
| Name plate, name and dates | 8 x 4 or 10 x 3 | $455.70 or $498.34 |
| Add-on plaque with a line of wording | 8 x 6 | $540.98 |
| Full inscription plaque for a plain marker | 12 x 8 | $796.86 |
Prices from our live designer, standard rectangle with a classic border and leatherette background, shipping included. Measure the flat area on the stone first and leave at least an inch of clear granite around the plaque; the designer accepts any size in between these, so you can match the exact space.
Matching an existing plaque
If the headstone already has a bronze plaque, photograph it straight on with a ruler in the frame and send it to us with your design. We match the border, the background texture and the lettering style as closely as the casting allows, so the new plaque reads as part of the original. Older plaques that have darkened will look different from a new one for a year or two; the new bronze catches up as its own patina forms.
Cemetery rules to check first
Most cemeteries allow a bronze plaque to be added to a monument the family owns, but many want to see the design, the size and the fixing method before work is done, and some require the plaque to be fitted by the cemetery’s own staff or an approved monument company. Ask the cemetery office for its memorial rules before you order, and send them the proof we provide. A plaque that is fixed to the base or the face of the stone with concealed studs set in epoxy is the method cemeteries most often accept, because nothing is cut into the stone beyond the two or four stud holes.
Fixing a plaque to granite
Choose lugs with studs in the designer. The plaque arrives with threaded studs on the back and a paper template. The installer drills the template holes into the granite, fills them with a stone epoxy and presses the plaque home. A flat back plaque can instead be bedded entirely in epoxy on a smooth polished face. Screws visible from the front are a third option where the stone has a flat recess. Our guide on how to install a bronze plaque shows each step.
How to order
- Open the free design tool, pick the shape and set the size in inches. The price updates as you go.
- Add the wording, choose a border and background, and add an emblem, motif or photo if you want one.
- Pick the fastening: flat back, concealed lugs with studs, or screws visible from the front.
- Save the design and order it from My Account. We send a written proof, and nothing is cast until you approve it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a bronze plaque to an existing headstone?
Yes, as long as the cemetery permits it and the stone has a flat area large enough for the plaque. Most families add a name plate or a date plate to the face or the base of the monument with concealed studs set in epoxy.
How much does a name plate for a headstone cost?
A one line date plate at 8 x 2 3/8 inches is $385.86 and a name plate with name and dates at 8 x 4 inches is $455.70 in our designer, shipping included. A full 12 x 8 inch inscription plaque for a plain marker is $796.86.
Can you match the plaque already on the stone?
Usually, yes. Send a straight on photo with a ruler in the frame and we match the border, background and lettering style as closely as casting allows. New bronze is brighter than an aged plaque for the first year or two.
Who fits the plaque?
The plaque ships with studs and a drilling template, so a monument company, a handy family member or the cemetery’s own staff can fit it. Some cemeteries insist on their own installer, so ask the office first.
How long does it take?
Allow about 3 to 4 weeks for casting after you approve the free proof, plus 5 to 10 days for delivery anywhere in the USA and worldwide.
Finish the headstone with a bronze plaque
Design it to the exact size of the space on the stone, see the price, and approve a free proof before casting.
Explore: bronze grave markers · adding a name to an existing plaque · how to install a bronze plaque
