How much does a headstone cost in Australia?
A headstone or memorial is often the last thing a family arranges, sometimes months after the funeral, and there is no need to hurry it. It will stand for a very long time, so it is worth taking a little while to choose something that fits the family and the service.
Prices range widely, from around $850 for a simple flat plaque to $15,000 or more for a full monument, with the material and each cemetery's own rules driving most of the difference. A separate permit fee applies on top, and by law the work has to be done by a licensed monumental mason.
This guide covers the types of headstone and memorial, the materials and roughly what each costs, the permit and mason rules to know, and how long the whole thing usually takes. Take it at your own pace.
What types of headstone and memorial are there?
The right type depends partly on your taste and partly on what the cemetery section allows. A lawn section usually permits only flat plaques, while a monumental section allows upright headstones and full-length kerbing. The table below shows the common options and their rough cost.
| Type | What it is | Roughly what it costs |
|---|---|---|
| Flat lawn plaque | A flat granite or bronze plaque set level with the lawn | $850 to $4,000 |
| Desk or tablet | A small sloped stone on a low base | From $1,500 |
| Upright headstone with base | The traditional standing headstone | $4,500 to $9,000 |
| Double headstone | A wider headstone for a shared or family grave | $9,000 to $15,000 |
| Kerbed or full monument | Stonework covering the full length of the grave | $4,000 to $12,000+ |
These figures come from the Funerals Direct team's review of published monumental mason pricing in 2026, and cover the memorial itself rather than the cemetery's own charge, which is covered below.
What are headstones made of?
Granite is by far the most common choice, because it is hard-wearing and holds an engraving well for decades. Marble, sandstone, limestone and concrete are also used, and bronze is common for flat plaques. The stone drives the price more than anything else: black and coloured granites and marble sit at the top, while a standard grey granite is the more affordable option. Within the one type of granite, the grade and colour still make a real difference to the cost.
How is a headstone made and installed?
There are a few steps between choosing a memorial and seeing it in place, and a licensed mason handles the technical parts.
What are the cemetery rules and permits?
Every cemetery sets its own rules on what can be placed and where, and charges a permit fee, usually between $200 and $2,000, that covers administration and ongoing upkeep. Before you order anything, check two things with the cemetery: which memorials are allowed in your section, and whether your chosen mason is on their approved list. Getting this right first saves reworking a design that would not have been permitted.
Frequently asked questions
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When you are ready
This guide is general information to help Australian families, editorially reviewed by the Funerals Direct team from publicly available sources. It is not legal or financial advice. Funeral prices change and vary by provider and region, so always ask for an itemised written quote. For prepaid funerals, bonds, or insurance, consider speaking with an independent financial adviser or a free financial counsellor on 1800 007 007.
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