A laser etched black granite plaque carries photos, names and artwork on polished black stone. Design it online, see the price in Canadian dollars, and we ship it across Canada with a free proof first.
When the cemetery says granite only
Call a Canadian cemetery office about a flat marker and you may hear a rule you did not expect. Many lawn sections accept flat markers only, and several cemeteries define that marker as granite. Kitchener restricts flush markers to granite. Woodland Cemetery in London, Ontario defines a marker as granite. Les Jardins du Souvenir in Gatineau permits granite monuments only. A laser etched black granite plaque is cut from polished black granite, so it starts on the right side of rules like these. Every cemetery still writes its own by-law or rulebook, though, so the office has the final word and approves a drawing before anything is made.
Bronze, by contrast, is usually required to be bolted to a granite or concrete base. If you have your heart set on metal, our bronze grave markers page explains that route. For a wider view of what different cemeteries allow, see our cemetery plaque options.
A portrait in stone
High resolution laser etching lets this plaque carry more than lettering. A photograph, a hand drawn sketch, a religious symbol or a favourite verse can be etched into the polished surface, and the contrast of the etching against the deep black stone keeps names and faces easy to read. Because every photo is different, the free written proof shows you how your image will appear on the granite before production begins.
Families use it as a grave marker, as a plaque set on an existing headstone, and as a dedication in a garden or on a building. It also works as a pet tribute.
Why families choose black granite
- High resolution laser etching: Photographs, text and artwork are etched into the stone with fine, clear detail.
- Polished black granite: The deep black, polished face gives strong contrast, so the inscription reads well from a standing height.
- Fully personal: Add names, dates, quotes, images or religious symbols in whatever layout you like.
- Unbothered by frost: Granite is not harmed by frost or by the freeze and thaw cycles of a Canadian winter.
- Many uses: It suits memorials, headstone plaques, dedications, pet tributes and building markers.
How to order
- Ask the cemetery office for its written marker specification, including size and any base rules.
- Upload your photo and wording in the black granite plaque designer, where the price updates in Canadian dollars as you go.
- Check the free written proof we prepare before production, and hand it to the cemetery so they can approve the drawing.
- Press Proceed to Purchase, or save the design and finish it later from My Account.
Cemetery fees, our price and the season
In the design tool on 22 October 2026, a 300 by 200 mm (about 12 by 8 inch) black granite plaque was $576.75 in Canadian dollars, and the price changes as you change the size and options.
Our price covers the plaque and shipping anywhere in Canada, and we confirm the delivery date with the proof. Setting the marker is a separate charge from the cemetery. In Kitchener, for example, setting fees run from $171 under 173 square inches to $286 over 288 square inches (2026). In Ontario, a flat marker under 173 square inches (1,116.13 sq cm), such as a 12 x 8 inch (30.5 x 20.3 cm) plaque, also carries a $0 Care and Maintenance contribution under O. Reg. 30/11, while one at 173 square inches or more carries $100.
Timing matters as well. Calgary bars installation from September 30 to May 1, so a plaque ordered in the fall there is set in spring. We do not install, so the cemetery or its approved setter handles placement.
Frequently asked questions
Will my cemetery accept a black granite plaque instead of bronze?
Several Canadian cemeteries require granite for flat markers. Kitchener restricts flush markers to granite, and Woodland Cemetery in London, Ontario defines a marker as granite. Every cemetery has its own rules, so ask for the written specification and show them our free proof.
How does a photograph look when it is laser etched on granite?
The etching shows against the polished black stone in high contrast. Results depend on the photo, so the written proof shows you how your image will look before anything is made.
Can winter freeze and thaw damage the plaque?
Granite is not harmed by frost or freeze and thaw cycles. Snow may cover a flat marker for months, but the stone itself is unaffected.
Can the plaque be fixed to an existing headstone?
It is often used as a headstone plaque. Ask the cemetery whether it allows one on the stone and who may attach it, because we supply the plaque but do not install it.
If I order in the fall, when will it be set?
That depends on the cemetery’s season. Calgary, for example, bars installation from September 30 to May 1, so a fall order there is set in spring. We confirm your delivery date with the proof.
