Graveside memorial benches: Styles, Materials & Costs

A graveside memorial bench is a bench placed beside a grave to give visitors a place to sit, reflect, and remember. The bench is itself a memorial, engraved with the deceased’s name, dates, and a short inscription, and it serves a practical function during visits. Some families add a small bench beside an existing headstone; others choose a bench as the primary memorial, with no separate marker.

This page covers the styles, materials, sizes, and costs of graveside memorial benches in 2026.

Common styles

The most common styles are:

• Flat bench, a backless stone bench that sits at ground level. The most affordable style.
• Backed bench, a stone bench with a backrest. The backrest typically carries the main inscription.
• Seat-wall bench, a wider stone bench that doubles as a low wall. Common at the foot of a grave.
• Curved or contoured bench, a bench shaped for comfort, with a slight curve in the seat and back. Less common because of higher fabrication cost.
• Metal bench with plaque, a cast iron or aluminum bench with a small engraved plaque. Less common at graves but appropriate for a memorial garden or cemetery pathway.

For a grave-side placement, backed benches are the most common because the backrest holds the inscription. Flat benches are appropriate when a separate headstone already carries the inscription.

Material choices

Granite is the most popular material for graveside memorial benches. It is durable, weather-resistant, and available in many colors. The same granite colors used for headstones (Barre Grey, American Black, Bahama Blue, etc.) are available for benches.

Marble is the traditional choice for cemetery benches but weathers faster than granite. It is appropriate in dry climates and in sheltered locations. Marble requires periodic sealing to maintain its appearance.

Cast stone (concrete cast to look like natural stone) is an affordable alternative. It does not last as long as granite or marble but is significantly less expensive.

Metal (cast iron or aluminum) is uncommon for grave-side benches but is appropriate for benches in a memorial garden or along a cemetery path. A metal bench with a small engraved plaque is the most common configuration.

Wood is rare in cemetery settings because of its short lifespan outdoors. Some families choose a wood bench for a covered or sheltered location, but most prefer stone or metal for permanence.

Common sizes

The most common bench sizes are:

• 4-foot bench, seats 2 people, fits comfortably beside a single grave.
• 5-foot bench, seats 2 to 3 people, the most common size.
• 6-foot bench, seats 3 people, appropriate for a double plot.
• 8-foot bench, seats 4 people, appropriate for a family plot.

The depth (front to back) is typically 18 to 24 inches. The height of the seat is typically 16 to 18 inches. The backrest is typically 18 to 24 inches tall.

Inscription placement

The inscription on a graveside memorial bench is usually on the backrest. Common layouts are:

• The center of the backrest carries the name, dates, and a short inscription.
• A small plaque is mounted on the backrest with the inscription.
• The seat itself carries the inscription (less common because seat inscriptions wear from use).

The inscription should be in a font size that reads from a few feet away. For a typical 5-foot bench with an 18-inch backrest, letters 1.5 to 2 inches tall work well.

Cost ranges

A flat granite bench in standard Barre Grey runs $800 to $2,000 installed. A backed granite bench in standard Barre Grey runs $1,800 to $4,000 installed. A premium color (American Black, exotic blues and reds) adds 30 to 80 percent. A marble bench runs $2,500 to $5,500 installed.

Cast stone benches are the most affordable, running $500 to $1,500 installed for a flat bench and $1,200 to $2,500 for a backed bench. They are appropriate when budget is a primary concern and longevity is less important.

Lead times run 6 to 10 weeks for granite and marble benches. Rush orders are available at a 25 to 50 percent surcharge.

Cemetery approval

Before ordering a graveside bench, confirm the cemetery’s rules. Many cemeteries have specific requirements:

• Maximum bench size (often limited to 5 or 6 feet)
• Required setback from the headstone (typically 6 to 12 inches)
• Required materials (some cemeteries prohibit cast stone or wood)
• Required installation method (some cemeteries require a specific foundation)
• Required inscription content (some cemeteries prohibit certain phrases or graphics)

Submit the bench design to the cemetery office for approval before ordering. Most cemeteries return approval within 1 to 4 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

References & Further Reading

The following sources informed the guidance on this page:

• www.thecomfortcompany.com
• www.smithsteelworks.com
• www.barcoproducts.com
• www.memorialbenches.com
• www.hearttoheartsympathygifts.com
• www.occoutdoors.com
• pollyproducts.com
• clearstreammonuments.com
• www.legacylane.com
• www.memorialbenches.com